The Historic Octagon Barn Center
Overview/History
In 1997, while the Land Conservancy was working with the Hayashi Family to plant trees along San Luis Obispo Creek, the nearby Octagon Barn was a vacant shell of its historic past. The crumbling structure known by area residents and visitors for over 100 years was on its last legs. The Land Conservancy's Executive Director at the time, Ray Belknap, approached the Hayashi Family with the idea of restoring the old barn. Ray recognized the rarity of the architecture, the symbology tying it to an agricultural landscape, and its potential for new life. In 1998, the Land Conservancy leased the Octagon Barn and began an effort to repair it.
The Octagon Barn still holds several mysteries here in San Luis Obispo County, such as its year of construction and the builder. Piecing together anecdotal information, we believe the structure was built just prior to 1900. It was in that year that the barn played host to its first birth. A local family has shared their story of their mother being born in the Barn in 1900 while her family was temporarily living there. We know that the parcel of land was owned by the family of Joaquin Pereira early on, but no definitive record has been found to substantiate the local lore. We do know that this barn is one of only 3 of its kind left standing in California.
Community Collaboration
The restoration of the Octagon Barn has been a community effort that has involved many people and local businesses. Literally thousands of volunteer hours have helped repair the barn piece by piece, making this project one of the Land Conservancy's most popular efforts. Our volunteers have shared their memories of seeing the barn over the years and have woven their own stories of the barn with those of past generations. We have also had the support of many local businesses that have helped with materials and construction expertise. Today we can proudly say that the Octagon Barn structure has been successfully restored. View Photo Galleries
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Octagon Barn
Center
----- Facts -----
Built:
Circa 1900 for Dairy farming
Location:
4400 Octagon Way
(Formerly
4595 South)
(
Higuera St).
San Luis Obispo
Size:
77 Feet Wide and 80 Feet Tall
Restoration Began:
July 1998
Man-Hours So Far:
5,000
Completion Target:
2010
Most Urgent NeedsFunding: Cash contributions, pledges and automatic monthly donations. Donate Now*make sure to designate your gift to the Octagon Barn Fund.
Services/Labor: Pro-bono professional services.
Please contact Brian Stark
at (805) 544-9096 x12
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Vision for the Future
Plans are underway to transform the formerly private site into a public amenity with the fully restored Barn as the keystone element. The Octagon Barn Center will be a multi-use community asset that provides for local private and public events, "Bob Jones" City to Sea Bike Trail, Trailhead and a place for generations of local residents, school groups, and area visitors to learn about the importance of agriculture in San Luis Obispo County.
Scheduled to open in 2010, the Octagon Barn Center will have an agricultural theme, and historic displays will highlight the history & future of agriculture in San Luis Obispo County. Rental fees for moderately scaled events such as barn dances, harvest celebrations, weddings, and cultural events will provide self-sustaining funding for maintenance and upkeep of the facility.
Although the Barn has been saved, we still have a lot more to do.
We are seeking support through charitable donations of cash and services to complete site improvements for the Octagon Barn Center. We know that, over the years, many businesses have provided and received services related to this place. We are hopeful that we will attract more businesses to help realize our vision.
Raising a Barn...Raising a Community
Back when the barn was built, it was common for farmers, ranchers, and town folk to work together on barn raising events. We hope to capture this community vitality to support our current effort.
To learn more about our vision for the Octagon Barn Center and the unique fundraising opportunities. Download the "Raising a Barn, Raisng a Community Brochure".
