A California Historic Landmark whose waters have historically allured visitors to Gilroy with “amazing curative properties” has crew of restoration volunteers and State Parks maintenance crews adding preservation to 50-plus years of deferred maintenance.
Faced with consecutive droughts, meanwhile, caretakers of the site are working to analyze whether those same healing waters may be going dry.
Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs at Henry W. Coe State Park remains under restoration with the latest addition being temporary roofing on several of its cabins to protect against the elements, permanent redwood shingle roof installed by an Eagle Scout and new foundation for the Minnesota cabin. State Parks and volunteers are analyzing the underground network of water that feeds its sulfuric springs with concern that supply may be diminishing.
“Since 2003 we’ve been struggling with just trying to preserve what’s here,” said Matt Bischoff, a historian with the Monterey District of California State Parks Monterey District. “It’s a significant historic site. We’ve been struggling with how to preserve all of the buildings.”
Bischoff and others are working to pin down the crux of the origin of “what draws everybody here,” he said—the hot springs. Since it was purchased by a consortium of investors in the 1960s and later by the state, Bischoff said the site has had its fair share of renovation challenges including finding major donors and securing enough volunteer manpower for infrastructure fixes. Bischoff said he hopes that taking a good look at the springs’ internal piping may be part of the key to preserving the resource for future generations, in addition to the construction renovation.
“We’re trying to figure if we’re losing water anywhere, because it seems like the flow is less than what it was historically,” Bischoff said.
Volunteers from Friends of Gilroy Hot Springs were on-hand in early May working to clear vegetation to a resort-era level and excavating dirt from around buildings to slow down decay. Among them was Hollister’s Tim Lantz, preservation contractor, who serves as the construction restoration lead on several projects.
Flanked by buildings that display remnants of past graffiti, Lantz paused to examine new temporary roofing that he said will help save several buildings onsite. Prior to the temporary roofing—along with a permanent redwood roof installed by a bay area Eagle Scout—the buildings were left exposed.
“Open to the elements,” Lantz said, adding that more Eagle Scout projects are welcomed.
Karen Pogue guides monthly tours the second Saturday of every month. Prompted to volunteerism through a full moon campout at the site, Pogue pointed to the long-standing history surrounding the hot springs. Pogue and others said they’re steadfast about seeing the renovation—whose duration could take years—through to the end.
Pogue and others said they remain hopeful that the hot springs can return to their former glory and be re-opened to the public.
“It’s an awesome place, and the history is just incredible,” Pogue said. “You can picture people here in the 1800s.”
J.J. Sisaki of San Jose has volunteered for about two years at Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs. Sisaki remembers coming to the site during the 1950s during high school to soak in the hot springs. Nowadays, Sisaki cuts underbrush, limbs and plans restoration of the cabins. There’s a personal connection for Sisaki, whose grandparents first visited the hot springs in 1939.
Five years ago, before Sisaki started the vegetation clearance, views of the hot springs cabins from the parking lot were blocked by vegetation growth, according to Lantz. It’s just one of the changes Lantz said he expects visitors to see during a fundraiser slated for May 24. For volunteers like Sisaki, the allure that drew his Japanese family to Gilroy during the mid-1900s continues to draw him closer to a part of history.
“I just like to come here; it’s up in the mountains—it’s a peaceful place for me,” Sisaki said.
Despite volunteerism, the biggest challenge thus far has been funding and manpower. Bischoff said he hopes the May 24 fundraiser will help invigorate public interest in the project.
“We’ve been fighting 50-plus years of deferred maintenance,” Bischoff said
May 24 fundraiser
As part of an effort to revitalize efforts to restore the hot springs site, Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs will host a fundraiser on Saturday, May 24. Docent and staff-led tours, displays, children’s activities, live entertainment and healthy living tips will be provided.
All proceeds benefit hot springs protection and restoration efforts. Call 831-649-2855 to request a special accommodation or 408-314-7195 for reservations. Visit GilroyYamatoHotSprings.com for more information.
Q: Are you excited for the potential renovation of the Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs?
A: “Yes, I think it would be awesome if we could rent out some of these places or have events of some sort to get people up here to enjoy what it offers.”
—Karen Pogue, volunteer
Q: Why do you volunteer at Gilroy-Yamato Hot Springs?
A: “My parents used to bring us here during the 1950s when we were in high school. It was a place for us to come to, a resort, on the weekends. We would soak and swim and go hiking.”
—J.J. Sisaki, volunteer
