Barton Ranch on path to be destroyed
The multiple buildings that once were the Barton Ranch are slated to be demolished. Photo/LTN
By Linda Fine Conaboy
Sometime soon, if family members have their way, the iconic cluster of buildings at the South Lake Tahoe Y known as the Barton Ranch will become nothing more than a heap of historic rubble. Slated for demolition are the barn, ranch house, guesthouses, cabin, cottage and shed.
Even though the property is on the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s list of historic sites, family members maintain that they are subjected to risk and liability from trespassers, graffiti, abandoned cars, mold, mildew and lead-based paint.
The process to clear the property, which started several years ago but has stalled along the way, may now be moving along a smoother path, as the family has jumped successfully through myriad obstacles along the destruction path.
People have until April 25 to comment on the negative declaration. There will be a public hearing before the Planning Commission on May 8 at 3pm at Lake Tahoe Airport, with the panel being asked to approve the negative declaration and plans for demolition of all of the remaining structures associated with the old Barton dairy ranch located at 1080 Emerald Bay Road.
Gary Midkiff, a land use and permitting consultant, is the spokesman for the Ledbetter and Mosher families. They are the property owners and descendents of the Bartons. He explained that the request for removal and destruction of the structures began close to three years ago.
“We’ve been working with the city of South Lake Tahoe to address the issues that city staff was anticipating would be raised by the community,” he said.
“So far, we haven’t gotten any comments. The notice was published at the California State Clearing House, where all environmental documents are sent under CEQA. But we’re expecting comments from the Clearing House after the comment period closes. If there are questions we need to address, we will address them,” Midkiff told Lake Tahoe News.
Midkiff said he contacted the Lake Tahoe Historical Society three or four years ago and offered them the buildings for removal or relocation, however, he said he hasn’t talked to them lately.
He added, “There is no rule that says because it’s a historical site the buildings have to be retained.”
South Lake Tahoe is an important player in this continuing story, too. Judy Finn, associate planner for the city, said there are problems such as black mold, asbestos, graffiti and people breaking in and attempting to live in the buildings; generally reiterating the owners’ list of grievances.
“The family wants to restore and revegetate the property, and may want to look at more viable uses in the future,” Finn told Lake Tahoe News.
The buildings in question, with their green roofs and white exteriors, were once stately. Boarded windows make it look like a forlorn relic waiting for whatever the fates have in mind. The property looks abandoned, even though it’s nestled into an idyllic setting amid tall trees on 4 acres of land next to the Raley’s shopping center.
The history of the legendary Barton family is important to Lake Tahoe. According to a fall 1972 Lake Tahoe Historical Society newsletter, more than a century ago the Bartons spent their summers ranching their property in Hope Valley and on land they homesteaded in Meyers.
In 1915, they moved to the South Shore and settled in an area that is now the Lake Tahoe Airport. There they established a dairy known as Meadow’s Edge. They ran a milk route to Echo Lakes, Camp Sacramento, Twin Bridges, Tahoe Meadow and Beecher’s Country Club, where Harrah’s is now located.
Several years later the property at the Y was developed, when this region was wide-open and the only road in the basin was Pioneer Trail. Through the years South Lake Tahoe has been the beneficiary of the Barton family generosity, including a gift of land upon which now stands Barton Memorial Hospital.
Although clearing of the land is not a foregone conclusion, there are those individuals and entities that are feeling the crush of an important part of history coming to an end and the need for its preservation.
Lake Tahoe Historical Society spokesperson and board member Lee Vestal is one of those interested parties.
“All I personally want to see with the Barton Ranch is that it gets a fair shake to survive,” he said. “If all the environmental reviews, including hazmat remediation for the suspected contamination, say knock it down, then knock it down. But the ranch needs a fair review and the involvement of the community. If the community wants it saved, it needs to step up and provide financial and emotional support.”
Vestal said the historical society has been working quietly behind the scenes to find out what the property owners really want and to see what options are available to save the ranch.
“We’ve sent letters to the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency and to City Manager Nancy Kerry,” he said. However, he said, to date there have been no replies.
At the very least, Vestal said that everything at the ranch will be photographed and the story will be captured by the historical society.
Catherine Whelan, who is president of the historical society, said the family has a right to sell the land.
“But you would think the city would want to preserve it. There are so few old buildings left. The ranches were big here before the casinos went in. This could show the history of the Tahoe basin,” Whelan told Lake Tahoe News. “The city has a perfect opportunity to turn this property into a cultural center showcasing the ranching period of South Lake Tahoe. I think they’re missing a huge opportunity to make money.”
Lake Tahoe News was unable to make contact with the property owners – the Mosher family and members of the Ledbetter family; however, Jessica Ledbetter, a cousin, had this to say: “I’ve worked with Gary Midkiff in the past and I think he is an outstanding representative for my Aunt Melba Mosher and my cousins, William Mosher, Faye Krull and Ouida Garms.
“Whatever decisions my aunt and my cousins have come to, I know it hasn’t been easy. It’s been an extremely emotional decision for them. We’ve recently talked about all the wonderful times we’ve spent on the property and all the wonderful memories. I support any decision they make.”
Midkiff added, “They are not a development family.”
But the question remains, where will the final journey take the old Barton site?
“There are no plans for use of the property at this time,” Midkiff said. “They’re watching the area plan that is being drawn up by the city and TRPA closely to see the outcome. Based on that, based on the economy, and based on interest by any commercial entity, they may make future plans.”
So sad if it can’t be saved. It is a cool part of Tahoe history. So much of the rest of Tahoe has been torn down and thrown away. Tragic.
I hope this building can be saved. It’s an important part of Tahoe history. Hopefully it can be restored.
Jessica Ledbetter, I haven’t seen you in a very long time but we were on the STHS ski team together many years ago. I’m hoping you can convince the other family members to save this old Tahoe home. Please don’t tear it down. Old Long Skiis
It’s very cool historically. It is a shame it must go, but hey, it’s private property. The owners have the right to do with it as they please. It isn’t benefitting anybody the way it is now, and as the owners said, it’s a hazard. It’s a liability. Don’t castigate them for doing what they must do.
“Catherine Whalen, who is president of the historical society, said the family has a right to sell the land. But you would think the city would want to preserve it. There are so few old buildings left. The ranches were big here before the casinos went in. This could show the history of the Tahoe basin. The city has a perfect opportunity to turn this property into a cultural center showcasing the ranching period of South Lake Tahoe. I think they’re missing a huge opportunity to make money.”
Does anyone realize that “the City” is actually the taxpayers of South Lake Tahoe? From where would “the City” get the money to purchase this property, repair and preserve the structures, and operate a cultural center? That is the type of work performed by Historical Societies which is the reason Historical Societies have been granted non-profit status. The property and structures at this site have been sitting in this decaying condition for a very long time, so why didn’t the local Historical Society proactively plan to take action to save what they’ve now identified as culturally important?
So much comes down to “have the City do it”. Well unless we’re printing our own money there’s no way for “the City” to pay for this. Perhaps some of the long-time local families of wealth and power could organize something to make this possible, but as a regular taxpayer I just want my street fixed.
“At the very least, Vestal said that everything at the ranch will be photographed and the story will be captured by the historical society.”
Apparently this is the lowest cost method for experiencing the historic structures.
Gary Midkiff,…consultant, explained that the request for removal and destruction of the structures began close to three years ago. “We’ve been working with the city of South Lake Tahoe to address the issues that city staff was anticipating would be raised by the community,” he said. “So far, we haven’t gotten any comments. The notice was published at the California State Clearing House, where all environmental documents are sent under CEQA.
Its hard to comment on what one doesn’t know about – and legal notices aren’t exactly something the general public reads in time to comment meaningfully, even if they were history buffs! So now I guess more folks know, and yes, despite being in private ownership, this is a community resource and with any degree of creativity the family could get what they want and the city can preserve an important part of its past – other than the Celio Ranch buildings, this is the only Tahoe ranch property still standing as best as I can tell. I dont see anyone bashing the family here, the have a problem to deal with and the “easy” personal solution would be to remove the buildings. There is no indication they would not respond to proposals that solve their problem short of demolition. As a community resource, it’s up to the community (and that does include the City itself)to offer creative solutions.
But I am not encouraged, there is a reason why SLT looks like it does and almost every historic building of interest is gone, and certainly very few have been retained while remaining commercially viable as in places like Nevada City or even Virginia City. SLT doesn’t really do much to honor its past, and I am guessing that is one of the big reasons it has such a hard time deciding on its future.
It is too bad the Historical Society doesn’t have the money to save this piece of our history.
4-mer…..Just because an organization is non-profit doesn’t mean they have money. They rely on membership dues which are only $25 for an individual and donations. I think the “City” (we taxpayers) do give them some support but not money to purchase properties like this.
“I think they’re missing a huge opportunity to make money.” From who? Who is going to stop on their way to the casino complex to pay to learn history? It would be different if 10 or 20 years ago Tahoe’s plutocrats had started positioning and marketing this area as being family friendly…but ‘we’ decided to follow a different tack-‘we are TahoeSouth: cooler than cool, slayer of the golden goose. Come get high, gamble, boat or ski, and maybe dance half-nekkid(oh to be young again…sigh) in a nightclub.’ I hate to say it, but I agree with Dog on this one-the owners of the property should be able to do as they will.
Time to move on. The place is a dump and has been an eyesore for the 30 years I have been here. It holds no historical interest for me. I do not want to celebrate a past that was based on greed and no regard for the environment. I just hope the owners don’t sell out to developers and we get some kind of big box store. Maybe they could donate the land to the city and build a nice park.
I don’t know if I’d go so far as to call it a dump Arod. My issue is that if the government wants to strip the owners of their private property rights, the government should raise the funds and get that past the citizens, and compensate the owners. Anything else in my mind is a wrongful taking.
This is America, we have private property rights. Leave the owners alone.
Difficult to say, but I think Tahoe has already sold off much of its’ “history”, as contemporary folks are intent on “reinventing” it as they know not what. . . a glorified ‘status quo’ they didn’t understand then, therefore seem to have no need to understand now, let alone any legacy or wisdom that was left for them to work with, or build upon. . .
That “legacy”, whatever it is thought to be, can’t be recollected in photographic portfolios or as mementos of anyone’s visit. . .
Companies have enough trouble with succession issues in heirs’ taking over the company the way it was created, let alone adjacent property that was sold generations ago in order to move on & out of Tahoe. . .
This is the void being dealt with in today’s Tahoe. . .
It looks like I’m in the minority here to saving some of Tahoes past in regards to the Barton house. It’s been called “ugly” and an “eyesore”, a drain on taxpayer dollars if it’s saved by the city, infringing on private property rights, or even lets just sell it and develop it. A sad state of affairs.
So why stop there haters of Tahoe history? There’s lots of old buildings out at Camp Richardson, should those be demolished as well? Next on the list would be the Whittell estate, the Ehrman mansion. Yeah now we’re rollin’! Lets bulldoze everything to make room for Wal Mart and a bunch of cookie cutter homes.
Oh, old Tahoe? We got rid of that long ago. This is the new and improved Tahoe! Now we look just like the Bay Area. Enjoy your stay, and welcome to Tahoe South. OLS
OLS,
I agree with you. Tahoe is being sold out piece by piece to flatlander Bay Area idiots. They have no clue nor a care about our town up here. I’d hate to see Barton be destroyed.
We should take a vote: Who wants the Barton historical property demolished?
Who wants the junk yard of dust covered cars with the junk yard dog of an owner at the Y demolished?
OLS, I don’t think most of us ‘hate’ Tahoe history. There’s very little I enjoy more than listening to Bill Craven tell his stories and show his photos of the Tahoe of his boyhood. Tahoe’s history is precious.
But it isn’t more precious than an individual’s private property rights. We shouldn’t be able to force our point of view on the owners of that land any more than we should be able to force our point of view on your beloved garden. It’s yours. And honoring each person’s rights to their own property is fundamental in this country.
Tahoeadvocate:
“Just because an organization is non-profit doesn’t mean they have money.”
Of course being a non-profit is no guarantee of having unlimited funds, but non-profits do have the opportunity and ability to apply for grants to numerous foundations and other non-profit and governmental organizations that support historical endeavors. However, that can only be accomplished if someone knows that those opportunities exist and they take action in advance of a crisis situation.
Long Skiis:
Your passion on the topic of saving Tahoe’s past is most apparent. Why don’t you organize an effort to do something to accomplish what it is you believe is so important? If you identify a way to do what it is you want and a way to pay for it I’m certain no one would have a problem with that, and it’s quite possible there are people willing to help out.
Gaspen Aspen:
I disagree. The state of California was sold out piece by piece to encroaching idiots from other states.
4-mer-usmc’s spouse
5th generation born Californian
To clarify a few things concerning my thoughts on the Barton house…Yes, I believe in a persons property rights but this piece of property is one of the few remaining “Old Tahoe” buildings. So I feel it requires special attention. Be it thru public or private money.
Secondly, I’m joining the Historical Society this Saturday. I’ve never been in the museum nor do I know any of the volunteers, so this will all be new to me. Hopefully I can talk with some of the people there and we can bounce some ideas around about how to save the Barton house.
Yes, Gaspen Aspen I would like to see a vote as to the used car lot and the Barton house. Which one should go? Or neither? But then again, they’re both private properties. Hey! How about emminent domain?
Dogula, my libertarian, yet friendly nemesis. Off topic, but I just planted some radish seeds in my new compost to see if the soil is ready in my “beloved garden” as you called it. I know it’s early but I don’t care. Take Care Y’all, Old Long Skiis
Well folks, pass the hat to purchase and restore the Barton ranch, or allow the owners to follow through with what most likely was a costly process. Remember the Chateau Motel and the wall with a mural? $$$
OLS
I think this would be a great Tahoe project. Something positive to focus on. I am a member of the Lake Tahoe Historical Society and I plan on calling them to see what they have planned if anything to save this piece of history.
Over 50,
I agree with your sentiments.
The historical society has been working on this since last December. The society is composing a response to the LTN article and a response to the Draft Negative Declaration. The complete Draft Negtive Declaration is available from the city.
If you or anyone else has comments or suggestions, I can be reached at:
Lee.vestal.lths@outlook.com
Lee
Lake Tahoe Historical Society
Chair, Historic Sites Committee
The real estate value might be almost priceless as a state and federal road intersect very near. I’m guessing a very huge property tax generator after getting booted from Jarvis Gann tax protection once the title passes hands(if this hasn’t happened yet). Property tax has to be a huge issue on the economic side of this lot.
I can see a very unique bed and breakfast with a very historical experience. Will people pay $100+ a night to stay there?
“I can see a very unique bed and breakfast with a very historical experience. Will people pay $100+ a night to stay there”?
Probably, but not in THAT neighborhood.
Is a house a living thing? Most would say no, it’s merely a structure, a shelter, held together by bricks and morter, nails and wood.
I see a home a little differently. A home has eyes, its windows that we clean from time to time allowing us to see out and others to see in. It has been said that your eyes are the window to your soul so that would cause me to think the house has a soul. Sun pouring through, warming the plants on the window sill, cat staring intently at the birds and squirrels at the feeder as she lets out little cat chirps wanting to get at them.
Does the house have emotions? Absolultely! Filled with happy people enjoying a good meal or warming themselves by the fire, laughter rolling thru the house as everyone feels safe and warm. When a house is empty and abandoned and not taken care of it looks forlorn and sad. So yes, the house has emotions!
Does the house breathe? Most definitely! Do you open the front door or the house’s eyes during a brief rainstorm, to let the fresh pine scented air in like during the brief rainstorm yesterday? How about on a warm Tahoe afternoon and the smell from the neighbors B.B.Q mixed with the scent of the Lilac bush. So yes, the house breathes!
So lets breathe some life into the Barton Ranch House and keep that Old Grand Dame alive and well for future generations. Save The Barton House!!!!
Thank you, Old Long Skiis
Well, I did make a comment on this subject, after the Lynn Bajek article about the Barton Ranch…can anyone copy, paste, transfer, or whatever my spiel to this forum for me?? Thanks, I have many good ideas…Thank you!