FRIENDS OF HAYWARD
formerly FRIENDS OF HISTORIC CITY HALL
“Saving the Irreplaceable”
Spring 2001 Newsletter, Issue No. 8
Julie Machado, Editor
HISTORIC HOMES TOUR!
Friends of Hayward presents a free Historic Homes Tour in conjunction with the celebration of Hayward’s 125th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday March 31. We’ve designed a BEAUTIFUL brochure with pictures of 29 local historic buildings. To start the self-guided tour, come to the Historic Linekin Building, 22248 Main Street Hayward (between A St & Hazel) or to our booth at Centennial Hall (see below) from 11am to 4pm. Some of the buildings will be having special events, such as Open Houses. If you prefer, there will also be a bus tour provided from Centennial Hall during the 125th Birthday Celebration. We are excited about this opportunity to share some of the lovely historic resources in our community!
HAYWARD’S 125TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
The City of Hayward is hosting a party for Hayward’s 125th birthday on Saturday March 31, 2001 from 11am to 4pm at Centennial Hall (behind Safeway on Foothill Blvd.). There will be lots of FREE food, games, booths and entertainment. Friends of Hayward will be hosting a booth; please stop by and see our displays! If you would like to volunteer for an hour or two that day to help tend the booth, handing out tour brochures, please call Frank at 581-9667.
MISSION-FOOTHILL REDEVELOPMENT EXPANSION
ENDANGERS 69 HISTORIC BUILDINGS
The Friends of Hayward did a preliminary survey of the next expansion area proposed for City of Hayward Redevelopment, and found approximately 69 structures that are potentially historically significant. This list includes The Hayward Plunge, Captain Madison’s House/Wilson Apts. (on the east side of Mission, north of A Street), Bras & Mattos Monument Company, Moreau High School, St. Clement’s Church, and over a dozen homes on Pinedale Court.
Since the City can use eminent domain to force the taking of property for redevelopment, we are concerned that an expanded redevelopment area puts these historic and cultural resources substantially at risk of destruction (as recently happened with the Larry’s Tires building, Der Weinerschnitzel, the greyhound bus depot, a bar, a laundromat, and–nearly–two historic houses, in order to build the new Albertson’s at A & Mission). The Hayward Plunge, in particular, is doubly at risk since the new “Foothill Freeway Alternative” plan also surfaced, which calls for construction directly where the Plunge sits.
We’re trying to raise public awareness of these risks, and of the benefits of retaining historic resources. If you are concerned about protecting these historic resources, please let our City Manager and City Council Members know, at 777 B Street, Hayward 94541, or 510-583-4340.
BURBANK REDEVELOPMENT:
An Opportunity for a PRESERVATION PARK?
Buildings used to be moved (or “recycled”!) often at the turn of the century. However, one of the great roadblocks for saving more historic structures these days is that suitable land is hard to find. A solution to this problem is the concept of creating a “Preservation Park”, an area designated for rehabilitation of historic structures. Oakland has a beautiful Preservation Park which hosts two-dozen grand old Victorians now dedicated to use by non-profit organizations and conferences. Hayward has an opportunity to do something similar in the Burbank area, perhaps near the train station, where it would both “fit in” with the surrounding neighborhood and be near public transportation. Please help lobby Hayward decision-makers that you would like to see a Preservation Park in Hayward: let our City Manager and City Council Members know what you think, at 777 B Street, Hayward 94541, or 510-583-4340.
HARDER HOUSE UPDATE
The historic Harder House, the original home of Hayward’s Justice of the Peace, was successfully moved to Meekland Avenue on Sunday September 24, 2000. Those who watched the structure lumbering down A Street and Western Boulevard will agree it was quite a sight! New owner John Fowler plans to secure it to a new foundation and rejuvenate it so that he can live in it. The Friends of Hayward are encouraging him to maintain its historic exterior (which he has painted), and possibly some interior elements. John has requested help from anyone interested in volunteering time and/or expertise; please call him at 510-376-9600.
THE MONEY PICKLE
Since John Fowler stepped forward to save the Harder House, the Friends of Hayward did not have to move it (bid at $24,500). Therefore, we would like to offer refunds to people who donated in our fundraising efforts for that purpose. On the other hand, some expenses were incurred in the rescue process (such as permit fees and preparation costs). And, we would like to continue raising funds for upcoming preservation emergencies. So, if you would like your money back, please let us know...but if you support our efforts to continue to protect the irreplaceable, we applaud your foresight and appreciate your continued support!
NEWMAN TOWERS UPDATE
Newman Towers, a B Street Victorian also threatened by the downtown Albertson’s development, was similarly moved to a vacant lot next door to the project. Proud owner Julie McKillop hopes to renovate it, as she has done beautifully for another Victorian down the street. We enthusiastically support her efforts, and look forward to watching her progress on restoring this grand belle.
2001 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2000 was an eventful year: The Friends of Hayward became an official “501c(3)” Non-Profit Corporation, the historic Harder House and Newman Towers were both saved and moved, and the Hayward Area Historic Inventory continues to be expanded.
MEETING SCHEDULED, MUCH TO BE DONE
Our next meeting is Saturday April 7 at 2pm at The Historic Linekin Bldg, 22248 Main Street, Hayward, and everyone is invited. There is much to be done in 2001: we want to finish and publish our Historic Inventory; continue educating the public about the benefits of preservation; host more events such as the Historic Buildings Tour, History Walks,, etc. We’d like to recruit additional Board Members. We could participate in the Hayward Zucchini Festival, with our photo displays of local historic houses, as we have done in the past. We definitely need to get a web site. We want to lobby for a designated area for a Preservation Park, so houses threatened in the future have a place to be moved. And we need to urge the City of Hayward to include a “Historic Preservation” element to the updated General Plan. But all of these ideas need volunteers and many, of course, need money. So, we ask that you renew your membership in Friends of Hayward, and we thank you for your interest and support. Remember, your donations are fully tax-deducible!
I SUPPORT LOCAL HERITAGE for “FUTURE MEMORIES”
___ My Membership for Friends of Hayward is enclosed:
___$20 Household___$10 Individual ___$5 Low Income
___$35 Supporter___$50 Fan___$75 Enthusiast
___$100 Champion___$250 Hero___Other (Individualist!)
___ I want to learn about special events ___ Please contact me (know local history? skill to donate?)
___ I’ll help with __________________________________(mailings, events, research, web, etc.?)
Name_____________________________________ Phone#____________________ Address_____________________________________ City________________ Zip______
E-Mail Address_____________________________________________________________
Thank you for your interest in preserving our local heritage!
Friends of Hayward c/o The Historic Linekin Building, 22248 Main St, Hayward CA 94541
Donations are fully Tax Deductible