The crumbling red barn on the ranch side of Christmas Hill Park may or may not be traceable to one of the area’s most prominent historical figures, cattle baron Henry Miller. While that matters to a degree, the point remains: the red barn is still a part of Gilroy history. The real question is how much the community values that history.
Truthfully, the historic “lobby” has held little political sway in Gilroy. There have been victories, such as the saving of Wheeler Hospital, and defeats like the loss of the grand old Strand Theater downtown. But the preservationists up to this point have not been a force. In fact, after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake closed down Old City Hall downtown, there were many who shrugged, called it too expensive to repair and advocated knocking it down.
Old City Hall and the red barn only have history in common, but it is our history and in that there is value.
The recent item before the City Council calling for the red barn’s demolition has a silver lining. The spotlight is on and there are those advocating a second look at possibilities. We are pleased to join that group, and at the same time acknowledge that the right answer is unclear.
A couple of possibilities have surfaced. One is to rebuild a replica using whatever materials from the original red barn can be recycled and, in tandem with the Garlic Festival, build a permanent home for Gourmet Alley. All the utility lines are in place, put there by the city years ago after the acquisition of the ranch side. But plans to build a permanent Gourmet Alley home have been set aside. Perhaps a resurrection is in order.
Another thought is to seek a tenant and grant money to refurbish or rebuild. The barn could be suitable as a museum for old tractors and agricultural heritage or for a farmers market.
The red barn has been beaten down over the years by neglect, allowed to wither and rot. It’s on its last legs, so now is the time for a concerted push to figure out what to do. Councilman Perry Woodward should be commended for pulling it off the demolition conveyer.
Preservationists have a chance to make a difference here. Talk to the Garlic Festival board, see what grants might be available, even the EDC could weigh in. The answer is out there and if it’s demolish the red barn and that’s that, then we should be sure it’s the right answer before calling in the bulldozers.
