Sierra2023Archive

Midpines Food and Gas Has Long History in Midpines

Located approximately 5 miles from Mariposa on Highway 140 at the intersection of Carsten’s Road and Highway 140 is what is now the Midpines Food and Gas that was originally completed by the Carstens family in 1926. The store dates back to its opening in 1939 as Pine View Lodge, when it offered four housekeeping cabins set up on the north side of the store. Unfortunately, two of the cabins were removed during realignment of the highway in the mid-1950’s, but two still remain, and one has been converted into a restroom facility. Located inside the store is the original ice box that is over 100 years old.

George and Blanche Carstens bought the property from the original Pine View Lodge owners and changed the name to Mountain View Lodge. Blanche also ran the Midpines Post Office out of this building after the first one at Camp Midpines closed sometime around 1954. Although lodging is no longer offered, the building, which carries the Midpines Food and Gas insignia, continues to serve the community as a general store and its only gas station. While the name has changed, the store remains. Stop on by and say hello to Inderjit Singh and Manpreet Kaur, who purchased the store in August 2020. They continue to offer locals and visitors not only cold drinks and fuel – but also a glimpse of the past.

Credit for story belongs to “A Visitor’s Guide to the History of Midpines Pride of the Sierra” by Ron Loya.