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All the United States California Sonora Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain
Gastro Obscura

Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain

A cozy bookstore is tucked within an old gold mine shaft beneath the cafe and ice cream shop.

Sonora, California

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dancingluna
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The underground bookstore.   Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain/Margie Paxton-Fromm/used with permission
The underground bookstore.   Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain/Margie Paxton-Fromm/used with permission
The bookstore in the mine shaft.   Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain/Margie Paxton-Fromm/used with permission
A glimpse of the old mine shaft.   Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain/Margie Paxton-Fromm/used with permission
The bar.   Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain/Margie Paxton-Fromm/used with permission
Old fashioned ice cream sodas.   Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain/Margie Paxton-Fromm/used with permission
October 2022   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
Furthest back room   Sorrel / Atlas Obscura User
October 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
Children’s reading area   Sorrel / Atlas Obscura User
October 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
October 2021   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Just the name of this spot exudes a certain charm. But step inside, and you’ll realize just what treasures it holds in its depths.

Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain has transformed part of the old mine shafts and underground tunnels snaking beneath the surface of Sonora, California. What was once a general store and bank is now a lively cafe and soda shop with a quaint bookstore tucked below.

Grab a coffee or ice cream float from the cafe upstairs—be sure to take notice of its gorgeous mahogany and brass bar—then head down into the old gold mine shaft below. There, you can browse through the shelves of books lining the walls. You’ll spot copious hardback books, as well as rare and out-of-print finds.

The subterranean space offers a winding glimpse into the area’s gold mining past. The tiny reading area is nestled against the mine’s original rock walls. In some parts, you can even sneak a peek of the old mine shaft itself.

Related Tags

Bookstores Books Mines Underground Subterranean Sites Unique Restaurants & Bars

Know Before You Go

It's open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The best parking is on the back street, Stewert Street, as parking on Washington Street can be tough to find.

Community Contributors

Added By

dancingluna

Edited By

Kerry Wolfe, ccesare, Sorrel

  • Kerry Wolfe
  • ccesare
  • Sorrel

Published

September 6, 2018

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  • https://www.chowhound.com/post/legends-books-antiques-fashioned-soda-fountain-sonora-1059902
  • https://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/content/legends-books-amp-antiques-old-fashion-soda-fountain/sie6c08e8b6a67785a57
Legends Books, Antiques & Soda Fountain
131 S Washington Street
Sonora, California
United States
37.98369, -120.382033
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