Saturday fire engulfed historic building
A simple redwood building that formed the center of its rural
community burned to the ground early Saturday, the victim of
suspected arson.
Pacheco Hall, located at the corner of Shore Road and Frye Lane,
is no more.
Saturday fire engulfed historic building
A simple redwood building that formed the center of its rural community burned to the ground early Saturday, the victim of suspected arson.
Pacheco Hall, located at the corner of Shore Road and Frye Lane, is no more.
For more than a century, the one-time grange hall has been the scene for meetings, parties and community gatherings. It was until recently where area residents gathered to vote.
A release from Calfire said it is believed the building was torched to cover up a break-in. By mid-morning Saturday, all that was left of the structure was a set of concrete steps flanked by elaborate iron railings and a stack of charred folding chairs.
It’s not the first fire at the site, according to Janet Brians, whose ranch abuts the Pacheco Hall property. In 1893 the first hall burned, to be replaced soon after with the one lost on Saturday.
The former owner of Janet and Bob Brians’ property, Henry Chase, donated the half-acre parcel for a new hall in 1888, and its ownership was transferred to the Pacheco Hall Association.
In the 1930s, the innovation of indoor plumbing was introduced, Brians said, and an eastern annex was added.
The hall has been the meeting place for hundreds of youngsters in the local 4-H program, and it was also used for meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous.
According to Brians, the building may not rise a third time.
“We know that there was liability coverage, but I don’t think with the small budget that they could’ve afforded insurance,” Brians said.
