Photo and story by PhotoByVivian.com
Built by Henri LaFranchi a Swiss immigrant along with John Damaso an Azorean immigrant and a third unnamed man in 1906 sits a historic gem of the central coast, the Pereira Octagon Barn.
It was built on a Mexican land grant known as the Ranchita de Santa Fe. Now on South Higuera Street it was once the path of the Camino Real and the original route of CA Hwy. 1. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one of only two Octagon Barns in California.
Until 1917, an Italian Swiss immigrant Antonio Stornetta leased the Barn for his dairy operations. Sold in 1920 to the Portuguese American families of Pereira and Garcias, the Garcias sold their share to the Pereiras in 1925. The Pereiras operated the Barn as the ‘Home Dairy’ until the 1950s after which they farmed row crops and housed a small cattle ranch.
In 1994 the barn was purchased by John and Howard Hayashi, two well-known local professionals, who entered into an agreement three years later with the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo. The Land Conservancy with community effort, donations, and the help of hundreds of volunteers and thousands of hours has since restored the barn that is slated to open sometime in 2015 showcasing the areas agricultural history. It will also be available to rent for events. The barn is the starting point of the Bob Jones City to Sea Trail, which will soon be expanded from the Barn to the trailhead on Ontario Road.
