We need your help!
The San Benito County Historical Society
needs your support to restore and maintain our Historical Park.
Please support us with the
"Cow Plop
Bingo"
(Click above for more information)
and
"Jail & Bail"
(Click above for more information)
The San Benito County Historical Society is looking for volunteers.
More info here
See the newest addition to the Historical Park.
Fire Department Hose
Company No. 2 Building
(For more info click on the picture)
The Dance Hall
Before
Pictures from the Dance Hall in 2005
After
More pictures (01/02/2006) click here.
More pictures (01/07/2006) click here.
More pictures (01/011/2006) click here.
The Dance Hall Story
click here.
On Sunday, New Years day 2006, late in the afternoon, the heavy winds and
rain took their toll on the Dance Hall
causing the front of the building to fall
out towards the Saloon and leaving the rest of the structure to collapse to
the north. On Monday morning several members of the
SBCHS Board of Directors removed as many
artifacts as possible from the site and relocated them into a safer
environment. The damage has been asset as
best as possible at this time and work has already begun to clean up the
debris.
We will try and save as much as we can of the original materials and once
the site is completely cleaned up, we will begin the task of making plans to
rebuild. This will cost money which we do
not have, but hopefully once a materials list is completed, our community
will come to our aid to try and bring back this wonderful 100 plus year old
historic structure.
The north wall is in not too bad condition while the south wall has sections
which we can use. The front wall area is at this point mostly gone. The
foundation and flooring are still intact, as is the porch and steps. We will
need to clean up this area ASAP and place all
usable materials in a proper storage fashion to keep them from
warping and rotting. We are also hoping the
Gabilan Conservation crews will help us when possible just as they
have in the past with other task. They have been just great.
We are still moving ahead with our events this year such as the
Antique Gas Engine and Tractor Show, the
Civil War re enactment, BBQ and other
events. We have made great progress over the past several years and our plan
is to continue in that same direction. This is indeed a
tragedy for our entire community, and we
consider preserving our history a very important part of our present and
future. Please check our web site for updates.
If you would like to help with the restoration of the Dance Hall in the form
of labor, materials and or funds, please contact
Pres. Peter
Sonne' at
831-277-3836, or email him at
petersonne@aol.com
You can also distribute your donation to:
San Benito Bank
300 Tres Pinos Road
Hollister, CA 95023
Acc.# 0100025402
Attn: Dance Hall Fund
This is the Museum on 498 Fifth Street. Historical Society President Peter
Sonne found a great sponsor
for the yard service. Todd Baker will take care of the yard work around the
Museum free of charge.
Many thanks to Todd Baker with Big Red Yard Service, 1760 # F Airline Hwy
Suit 143,
Hollister, CA 95023, 831.636.2738.
Email:
bigredservice@yahoo.com
Take a look at the Saloon House - its painted now!
(Click here)
The Museum is located at 498 Fifth Street in
Hollister, and is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 1PM- 3PM.
Arrangements may be made for special tours by calling the museum at
831-635-0335. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated.
The Historical Village is located in the San Benito
County Historical and Recreational Park located on Highway 25, 1 mile south of
Tres Pinos. The public
is welcome and tours may be arranged by calling the museum. Admission to the
Village is free; however there is a gate fee to the park of $3.00 per vehicle,
which is collected by the County. In addition, areas of the County Park may be
reserved by contacting San Benito County Public Works at 831-636-4170.