Friday, February 8, 2013

Hose Cart #2


In 1875, the young town of Hollister established a fire department that consisted of 69 volunteer firemen. The fire department created two hose companies and one hook and ladder company to serve the town as well as the surrounding area.

The hose barns, or fire stations, were built near the north and south borders of Hollister where fires were likely to range the most. Hose Cart #1 was put up on North Street, while Hose Cart #2 was erected in Swope Alley.

Until a few years ago, you might've stumbled upon the small wooden fire station #2 as you wandered through Swope Alley. Today, you can view Hose Cart #2 at the historical village in the San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park, just south of Tres Pinos on Highway 25.

For more information about the  historical village, check out this page at the San Benito Historical Society Web site. 

Want to read some more history of the establishment of the Hollister Fire Department? Here's a link for you to do so, which is at the Hollister Fire Department web page.

And, for a glance of the today's fire station, head over to this link on Take 25 to Hollister.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

Thursday, February 7, 2013

A Vintage Sign


The Mobilgas Pegasus in the Cloud sign is a classic. Mobilgas (before it renamed itself as Mobil in 1963) introduced the red winged Pegasus in the 1930s. You can see the sign in its vintage glory at the historic village in the San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park. It's hanging on the outdoor wall of the first floor of the Ferrando House.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Willow Creek School


The Willow Creek School is one of the several one-room schools that once existed throughout  San Benito County.  Built in the early 1870s, the Willow Creek School can be seen at the historic village in the San Benito County Historical and Recreation Park.

The school was built on the Melendy Ranch, which is a few miles north of the Pinnacles National Park. According to the local historians, the redwood lumber used for the school was brought over from Santa Cruz.

The Melendy Ranch donated the school to the San Benito County Historical Society, which moved the school to the historic village in the early 1990s. For more history and photos of the Willow Creek School, visit this page at the San Benito County Historical Park web site.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

The Cottage Bar


The Cottage Bar is one of the historic buildings at the San Benito County Historical Park. According to the E Clampus Vitus placard on the building, this was the first saloon to serve steamed beer in the area. The building is over 130 years old.

It was originally located at Cottage Corners, which was the area about where San Felipe Road and Wright Road intersect. If memory serves me, it stood on the northwest corner, which is now occupied by many of the blue tanks of Dassel's Petroleum, Inc.  Prior to being moved to the historic village, Cottage Bar was last owned by the Dassel family.

February 4 to 10 theme for Take 25 to Hollister: San Benito County Historical Park

Monday, February 4, 2013

A View from Above the Historic Park


You can do a short walk above the San Benito County Historical and Recreational Park, from which you can see some pretty good sights. It's worth the slight climb.

The San Benito County Historical and Recreational Park is one mile south of Tres Pinos, just off Highway 25. It's open from dawn to dusk. In addition to the walking path, the park offers picnic sites and a historic village of various buildings, machines, and tools that once belonged to local residents.

The village is run by the San Benito County Historical Society, while the recreational areas are maintained by the San Benito County Parks and Recreation.

Check out these links, for more information about the park.
~ San Benito County Historical Park
~ Historical Park picnic site reservations

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Dear Take 25 Readers,
I'm trying something new for awhile—a weekly theme with daily posts. The first week's theme, obviously, is the San Benito County Historical and Recreational Park. 

Until later, dear readers.
Su-sieee! Mac

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