Overland Livery Stable – Gone, But Its Memory Remains

Back before the turn of the 20th century, and even into the first years of the new century, the livery stable was a common fixture in any town. In fact, most communities had more than one. Today, livery stables have disappeared and many people don't even know what they were.

These once familiar businesses served an important purpose. If a visitor came to town on foot, bicycle, stagecoach or train and wanted to spend a few days exploring, the livery could provide them a horse, buggy or wagon for a fee, similar to the way a rental car company operates today.

If, on the other hand, a visitor came to town with their own horse and wanted their animal cared for, the livery stable could provide shelter with dry bedding, water and grain to eat, again for a fee. When the visitor was ready to leave, the animal would be fresh, ready for the trip home.

Visalia had many of these businesses, but probably the most well-known was the Overland Livery Stable, a company that took its name from John Butterfield's Overland Mail Company that passed through town. The stable, owned by Cady & Denny, began operation in 1861 on the east side of Court Street between Acequia and Main in Visalia – the site that had been the horse corral for the Butterfield Company. In March 1872, the stable burned to the ground. Sixteen horses burned to death in the blaze, and many others died from devastating injuries.

After the fire, a new Overland Stable was built across the street on the northwest corner of Acequia and Court streets. A young local cowboy named Jacob Vaughter Huffaker opened his livery there. He rented at first, but in about 1882, he bought the business and property.

Huffaker, an Illinois native, was a natural for the livery business. His mother died when he was just an infant, so he was raised by his father. The two went to Texas, where the young boy learned the cowboy life and everything that went with it. He spent most of his young life in the saddle. The 17-year old arrived in Visalia in 1862, an experienced cowboy. His first job after arrival was as "a breaker of wild horses and herder of wild cattle."

Once he established himself as a liveryman, he "fitted up the most complete livery stable established in this part of the state," and according to him, he had "the finest turnouts and fastest teams ever brought to Tulare County."

In 1871, he married a Tulare County woman named Palestine Downing. Throughout his life, he was active in civic affairs. He joined the Four Creeks Lodge No. 94 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, served as city superintendant of streets, and was a charter member of the Visalia Fire Department. By 1898, Huffaker was a well-respected community leader and his stable was already being called the oldest and most reliable in town.

But in 1905, the barn burned to the ground. Huffaker rebuilt and it reopened later that year.

The following year, Huffaker retired at the age of 61. His two sons, Will and Arthur, took over the business in July 1906. For the next few years the brothers ran the stable. On June 18, 1909, Jacob Huffaker, the patriarch of the family died at the age of 65. His wife inherited the estate and he was interred in the Visalia Cemetery.

In 1910, the family decided to sell the stable property to Jess D. Pritchard who owned two other stables in town – City Stable at Court and Oak streets, and Kaweah Stable at Main and Bridge. In May of 1915, Pritchard closed the old Huffaker Stable.

In January 1916, the vacant property suffered another fire. Now, the shabby remnants of the damaged stable were being publicly called a "fire trap." The city wanted it gone. By the end of 1916, the city got its wish. The site was cleared, eventually to become a parking lot.

By the way, Palestine Huffaker lived to be 95 years old. She died in 1949 and is also buried in the Visalia Cemetery.