Showing posts with label progress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label progress. Show all posts

Monday, March 7, 2016

Enjoying the View on Valley View Road


When I'm riding the bicycle, I like to stop on that stretch of Valley View Road where there's an unobstructed view of the Gabilan Mountains. Seeing the wild mustard and other wildflowers in the large empty field during our "green" months is a joy, too.

The property is up for sale for development of housing.  So, let's enjoy the view while we can.


Sunday, March 6, 2016

From Open Fields to Blocks of Houses


This could be the last year that we see Spring in the fields east of Fairview Road, between Hillcrest and Sunnyslope Road.

The Santana Ranch development is in the works. Construction began on the southeast end in 2015. A few of the Anderson Homes are already up and ready for sale. According to the developer's website, it offers five floor plans. Interestingly four of the names reflect a seaside setting—The Carmel, The Monterey, The Cypress, and The Big Sur.


The fifth name is The Bixby. At first, I thought it was chosen to honor Lewellyn Bixby, one of the men who purchased the San Justo Ranch way back when. But, wouldn't there then be houseplans named for the other co-purchasers? You know, like  The Flint (for Thomas and Benjamin Flint) and The Colonel (for William Welles Hollister).  There are none. So, maybe The Bixby is named for the Bixby Bridge.


How did I get onto that subject?

Anyway.

When the construction is all over, 1,100 houses will be standing upon once was open fields. Let us enjoy the unobstructed view while we can.

From the archives: November 13, 2011

From the archives: February 18, 2011



Monday, December 28, 2015

Coming Soon: The Fairfield Inn


A new hotel is going up on Gateway Drive, which is the next intersection after you turn right from Highway 25 towards Downtown Hollister. The Fairfield Inn will have four floors with anywhere between 70 and 90 rooms.

Construction began last April and is expected to be open for business in April, 2016, according to this BenitoLink article. Just in time for the school graduations, rodeo, motorcycle rally, high school reunions, summer and autumn weddings, county fair, olive festival, and other public and private events.


Sunday, April 12, 2015

A Sunday Flashback: Not Too Long Ago


Once upon a time, not too long ago, a couple of horses grazed in that narrow field that ran alongside Black Forest Drive (north of Sunnyslope Road). These friendly horses shared the field with the gophers, bugs, birds, and other creatures that roamed the grass.

Today, construction is going on in that field. The last set of houses to be built in the neighborhood with the streets named after WWI battles and agreements, which went up in the late 1980s. Before the housing development? I remember an orchard as far back as the mid-1960s. Someone said a chicken farm was once there, too. And, before that? I don't know. Does anyone recall?



Saturday, March 28, 2015

Morning, Mustard, Maze, and Musing


I took a short ride on the bicycle this morning, stopping on Hillcrest Road to take in the sweet view of the yellow mustard and the soon-to-be covered fields that were once-upon-a-time apricot orchards. When the trees came down, I was surprised to see Marguerite Maze Middle School from Hillcrest Road. I still am, for that matter. Another view that will be gone, too.

Wouldn't that be wonderful if the field on Hillcrest became a park instead? Now, that could be a perfect place for an outdoor public pool. Just a thought.


Sunday, February 22, 2015

Downtown Hollister Historic District: 500 San Benito Street


The former Pendergrass Hotel is the tallest building in the Downtown Hollister Historic District. Constructed in 1927, this historic building has four floors—the third and fourth floors have 28 hotel rooms, the second floor has office spaces, and the first floor is set up to be a restaurant.

The Pendergrass Hotel was named for Jesse Pendergrass, the owner, who was elected as the mayor of Hollister in 1924. When the hotel was completed, it was said to have the finest furnishings available, including Beautyrest mattresses by Simmons, according to Welcome to Historic Downtown Hollister, a walking tour pamphlet by Sharlene Van Rooy.

During the 1960s and 1970s, I remember the bottom floor was home to the Bank of California. The building is currently vacant, which is available for $730,000. A bargain if you have the money, considering the potential for tourism with the Pinnacles National Park, Mission San Juan Bautista, Hollister Rally, San Benito Olive Festival, and various other events, activities, and destinations in our area.


Saturday, December 6, 2014

Changes


That's Sunnyslope School in the background. I attended Fourth and Fifth grades there several decades ago. I remember looking across the street and seeing a small house surrounded by fields. Parked on its driveway was one, maybe two, rusted 1930s vehicles. Those fields are now covered by a medical complex and a neighborhood.

Today, I'm checking out black and white photos from bloggers around the world at The Weekend in Black and White. Come join me by clicking here.

Monday, October 13, 2014

County Courthouse Dedication


Last Friday afternoon (October 10), the California Superior Court of San Benito County held a public dedication  of its new building on Fourth Street. The beautiful state-of-the art two-story courthouse was built on the original site of the home of William Welles Hollister, for which the city of Hollister was named.

Cutting the building dedication ribbon, on the right, were 
Hon. Harry Tobias (Judge of the Superior Court of San Benito) and
Hon. Steven Sanders (Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of San Benito).
Holding the ribbon, to the right of Judge Tobias, was U.S. Rep. Sam Farr.

Officials speaking at the ceremony reflected the collaborative effort at all three levels of government to ensure the much needed new courthouse was built. U.S. Representative Sam Farr, State Senator Anthony Canella, State Representative Luis Alejo, San Benito County Board of Supervisors Chair Jerry Muenzer, and Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez all gave brief speeches. California Supreme Court Chief of Justice Toni Cantil-Sakauye was represented by Judge Brian McCabe, Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Merced County.

For past posts about the our new courthouse, check out these links:


Sunday, September 21, 2014

Cute and Cozy for Now


After being out and about in the large sprawl of humanity of the Bay Area yesterday, the Husband and I were very happy, and relieved, to turn homeward on the Bolsa, aka Highway 25. I suppose one day our county will eventually become the southern end of the Bay Area sprawl, with houses and businesses lined up from beginning to end of Highway 25. But, I hope that will be in a far distant future. Until then we shall enjoy the comfort and coziness of a cute small town ambiance.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Fields of Yellow


Yup, it's a beautiful view. This field borders the whale park at the east end of Valley View Road.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

No More Orchards


That's it!

The last orchard on Hillcrest Road is gone. Once upon a time -- at least when I was a kid -- apricot, walnut, and other fruit orchards stood on both sides of Hillcrest, all the way up to Fairview Road. I'm glad I got to experience it.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Main Street, Not a Highway


Many years from now, the future old fogeys of Hollister will tell the young'uns how Highway 25 ran through downtown Hollister. "It used to be," they would say, "You merged from Bolsa Road onto San Felipe Road near Tiffany Motors. San Felipe Road turned into San Benito Street at Santa Ana Road, and you drove it all the way through town. You turned left by the high school and when you reached Safeway, you turned right to connect with Airline Highway."

Yup.

Until a few weeks ago, Highway 25 officially ran through downtown Hollister. The bypass was constructed with the intent that the ownership of the downtown section of the highway would be transferred to the City of Hollister when the bypass was completed.  It took a while for it to happen, but finally on March 7, 2014, the deed was done. Now, instead of a sign saying Highway 25 leading drivers through downtown Hollister, we'll be seeing signs (if they aren't up already), directing drivers to the highway.

So, what does this all mean? Hopefully wonderful things for us, citizens and businesses, of Hollister and San Benito County. Several years ago, the Hollister Downtown Strategy Plan was created to envision the possibilities for downtown Hollister. Be truly cool, if some, if not all, could become a reality. You can read the plan at this page at the Hollister Downtown Association web site.

By the way, this afternoon, the Hollister Downtown Association will be hosting a Downtown Street Transfer Party, from 2 to 5 PM, in the Veterans' Memorial Building Plaza. There will be dancing in the street. Rain or shine!


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Name the Highway


Have you seen the new road signs on Highway 25 yet?

The Husband and I saw one yesterday afternoon, as we waited for the light on Hillcrest Road. Were we surprised. We knew there was talk last year about naming Highway 25 to the Pinnacles National Park Highway, but many residents in the southern part of San Benito County were against it.

So, I looked it up. (Ah, sweet Internet, what did I ever do without you?) Turns out our State Senator Anthony Cannella sponsored a bill last year to designate specific sections of Highway 25 as the Pinnacles National Park Highway. According to the bill, which was adopted, the renamed highway runs from "San Benito/Monterey countyline to Sunnyslope Road in the City of Hollister and that portion of Route 25 from San Felipe Road in the City of Hollister to the San Benito/Santa Clara countyline. . . ."

I read that as meaning all of Highway 25. Doesn't the highway cross into Monterey County in the southern part of San Benito County? Something else to look up. I did notice the sign still says "Highway 25" at the intersection of Sunnyslope Road/Tres Pinos Road/25 (or as us old fogeys still call it --Airline Highway).

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Walking Under Fourth Street


Yesterday, the Husband and I decided to go underground to cross Fourth Street. Huh? you say.

Yup. For those who've forgotten, or who had no idea, a pedestrian tunnel runs under Fourth Street. The southern stairway is in front of the former County Jail. I think it was built in the 1920s to provide safe passage for children who walked to and from school.

The Hollister Downtown Association has plans to renovate the tunnel, which includes installing lights and a security system. The group also wants to paint a mural that depicts the buildings that once stood where the new Superior Court is today—the home of Colonel William Hollister, after whom the city was named, Hollister Grammar School, and Fremont School.

For a moment after walking out of the tunnel and looking skyward, I was reminded of how I felt when I used to come out of the Embaradero Bart Station in San Francisco. I'm having a great adventure.

The Northern Stairway

Thursday, November 7, 2013

The New Courthouse


Did you know that the new courthouse under construction is the fifth one for San Benito County? Yeah, that's news to me, too. I thought the current courthouse was the second one, and the gorgeous structure modeled after a Roman palace was the first.

The new courthouse is nearly finished. I like the landscaping and the red seats in front of the building. How about you? If you're interested in learning more about the construction, check out this page at the California Courts web site.


It already seems like it was long, long ago that Fremont School stood on the site of the new Superior Court of California in San Benito County, don't you think? For that matter, once upon a time, the home of Col. William Welles Hollister, for whom our town was named, stood on that same spot.



Tuesday, August 27, 2013

New Stores Coming Soon


Who else is surprised how quickly Walgreen's is going up at the corner of Highway 25 and Tres Pinos Road? When they first began construction, I could not see how a big pharmacy like Walgreen's could fit in that seemingly awkward space. When I saw the building the other day, I was  amazed at how big  it is.

 A Toy Store

Have you heard about Zeebee Toys near Staples? It's not open yet, but it does have a Facebook page. Check it out.


Saturday, January 12, 2013

Twelve Days into 2013


Dear Take 25 to Hollister readers, hello!

Here's my first photo of  2013. I wanted a photo of the big brown bird on top of the clock tower  in the  Clocktower Plaza's parking lot on McCray Street. It seemed out of place. It didn't look like a hawk so I wondered if it could've been a falcon or a young golden eagle. Anyone else saw it last Wednesday evening?

So, here we are twelve days into the New Year and look! Five new, exciting things have happened.
  • The Pinnacles National Monument has been upgraded to drum roll, please. . . Pinnacles National Park. It joins the same status as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, and Yellowstone National Parks. Numero 59, the Pinnacles National Park is. For a complete story, check out this Mercury News link.
  • The Hollister Motorcycle Rally is baaaack. Yep. The City Council approved the event earlier this week. So, mark your calendars for July 5 and July 6, 2013. To learn more, check out this Cycle World link.
  • The Hollister Downtown Association received notice from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that it has the exclusive right to use the logo Hollister {the original}. So, there you go Abercrombie & Fitch with your imaginary beach town called Hollister.
  • Local artist Shannon Grissom is offering Creative Escapes every Thursday in her art studio. What fun! Customers will have the opportunity to draw, paint, decorate masks, and make collages. For information about her Creative Escapes, click this link to go to Shannon's Web site.
  • BenitoLink.com is up and running. It's an online web portal for San Benito County residents to learn about local news and events, as well as a venue for residents to offer their opinions and discuss issues that concern them. Go ahead, go check BenitoLink.com out.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Pinnacles National Park...Soon!


Last night, the bill to change Pinnacles National Monument to the status of a national park was passed in the Senate. That means that all it needs now is to be signed into law by President Obama. What a wonderful start to 2013. Whoo-hooo!

By the way, the park is working on a new general management plan. The public is invited to read the proposed plan and make comments on it until January 11. If you're interested, click here to access it at the park's Web site.

Happy New Year, Dear Readers! Happy New Year!
 

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Another Perspective of Hollister


Looking south from the corner of Industrial and Gibbs Drives. See the wall. That runs along Highway 25 between Hillcrest and Sunnyslope.


Thursday, April 26, 2012

Fences


Old fence. New fence.

That's the view from the parking lot of Pacific Harvest Seafoods in San Juan Bautista.

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