"About this same time, son Chip, who wanted to become a dairy vet, found out that he was now allergic to

cows . . . "

By Your Host, Cowboy Charlie


Although THE PURPLE COW is the mascot of Williams College in the East, and the name of a delightful Ice Cream Café in Orland Park, Illinois, and the name given to a "Milka" scrumptious chocolate bar found only during the Christmas Holidays in and around Germany, our Purple Cow came from the imagination and dreams of Chip and his dad, Charlie.


Charlie, having a degree in Dairy Science, and had been working as a Herdsman, left the farm to help his ailing dad in a Construction Business and a Hardware/Lumberyard in Oakhurst, California.  After 18 years in the building industry, and watching Oakhurst grow, it was time for a change.  The old saying about not being able to take the farm out of a farm boy, became true again.   About this same time, son Chip, who wanted to become a dairy Vet, found out that he was now allergic to cows, even though cows had been a part of his life from birth.   Now that Dad wanted a change and Son couldn't be around real cows, they put their heads together and decided that the only way either was going to have or be associated with cows was to create a fictional cow. 


And, you guessed it, something catchy, something easy to remember, something colorful, and something cow. . . THE PURPLE COW!  It was their idea to have this colorful bovine reign over a shop that promoted fine handcrafted gifts and decorating accents.  What a crafty and mooooving idea!   THE PURPLE COW was born of pen, paper, and signboard and was delivered by our resident "Vet" and his able "assistant" Shelly (now Mrs. Chip) in the summer of 1991.  In the Fall of that year, THE PURPLE COW graced the front of THE PURPLE COW MALL.


It was a case of two derailed dreams, involving cows, finally coming true.  It is proof that dreams, even derailed ones, high goals, and lots of perseverance can make great things happen, even if it's a wonderful little shop set in the Yosemite foothills called THE PURPLE COW.  And that's how it all began in the Fall of 1991!

On Any Given Day You May Find These Treasures:


Wonderful Wooden Toys,

Shelves & Small Cabinets


Artistic Lamp Shades & Lamp Bases


Hand Made & Portal Greeting

Cards & Posters


Exquisite Stained Glass & Sun Catchers


Useful & Decorative Ceramics

& Violet Pots, Candles


Country & Victorian Bed & Bath

Gift & Decorating Accents


Hand Decorated Denim & Tee Shirts


Cows, Pigs, Bunnies, Cats, Teddy Bears, Frogs,

Chickens, and All Their Cute Country Friends!


Delightful Tole Paintings


Laughs and Smiles By The Barrel!


Christmas Year-Around

An Enticing and Award Winning Gift and Home Accent Store


The Tail Of No Cows, And That's No Bull !      How We Got Our Name . . .

Directory


Home Page


Story Page


Press Releases


Featured Artists


    Artist 1


    Artist 2


    Artist 3


    Artist 4


   Mark Davis


Holiday Greetings


Pictorial Special


Winter in Oakhurst


New Artist Information


Special Events


Christmas At The Purple Cow


Links of Interest


Fun Cow Clips, Animations


Map and Directions


To Contact Us:

Phone: 559-683-2112 ~ Fax: 559-683-2112 ~ E-mail: mail@purplecowmall.com

Shipping/Store Address:  39935 Hwy 41 ~  Mail: P O Box 478

Oakhurst, California 93644~0478


All contents of this web-site are copyrighted (2000-2010), and may not be used without

Written permission of THE PURPLE COW. Web Pages designed, maintained & built by Cowboy Charlie!

Updated July 16, 2010.  All Pages have sound and are best viewed with Internet Explorer.

  The Country Store, with Country Charm, and Oh So Much More. . .