McFarland Ranch farmhouse on the mend
Courtesy of The Galt Herald!
The Roof Rangers of Galt, owned by Pat Maple,
is taking part in restoring the McFarland Ranch
farmhouse from top to bottom by redoing the
aged and worn out roof currently protecting
the interior of the pioneer home. With much of
the material and time donated to the project,
Roof Rangers is a prime example of how the
McFarland restoration project will see success
at the hands of local supporters.
By Diana Geiger
Staff Writer - Pieces of California's history of transportation will soon play a vital role in preserving a piece of Galt's pioneer history as the timber from two old Sacramento valley bridges will be used to restore significant portions of the farmhouse at the McFarland Living History Ranch.
Director of the McFarland Advisory Committee and retired contractor/rancher Ron Jacobson said that the Alta Mesa Bridge timbers are going to be milled and used on the McFarland Ranch project as well as the remnants from the Thornton/Franklin Bridge, a timber trestle structure that goes across the overflow flood plain north of the Mokolumne River.
"We are waiting for the demolition of the Thornton Bridge, when we will have 700 redwood timbers that will be milled and cut," said Jacobson. "The timbers will provide new siding, new window frames, door frames, trim, mopboards and also the original porch and the verandahs in back all out of the redwood."
The McFarland farmhouse, originally built in 1872 will be rebuilt from original plans.
"We have the original plans. They were found in the house by the great grand niece of McFarland," said Jacobson. "She found them in one of the closets when she was cleaning out the house before it was turned over to the county. They were so brittle."
Not only were the original plans of the farmhouse found, but several pictures to help rebuild the farmhouse to its original condition and appearance.
"The pictures were blown up so that the house is being rebuilt according to the pictures and the plans," said Jacobson.
The Sacramento County Parks and Recreation Department has donated the redwood timbers to the McFarland Ranch project.
"Once we get the wood and get it cut, we will need volunteers to put it together," said Jacobson.
Everything will be as close to original as possible, including the fireplaces and the wood stove. Many pieces of the original furniture, saved by the family through the years, will be returned to the house.
"The grand niece has saved the original furniture. We will get much of it back when the house is completed," said Jacobson.
Currently the roof is being dismantled and replaced to protect the farmhouse from outside elements. The widows' watch will also be built in approximately one month.
"The Roof Rangers, owned by Pat Maple, has furnished the labor on the roof, tool shed, and privy," said Jacobson. "Pat Maple furnished the labor and the materials for the carriage house, and a partial donation on the roof."
The privy is almost completed, which is a replica of the original.
"We saw the pictures and got the dimensions, comparing the privy to the woodshed," said Jacobson. "The grandniece explained what it looked like on the inside. It has a seat for a child and two for adults."
The privy will be set out next to the woodshed after the privy roof is completed and it is painted.
The original bunkhouse will be built in the next couple of months, and the funds came from the Cesar Chavez Grant for Service and Learning.
"It is a service learning project and will be built by kids. Both the elementary schools and the high school will be involved," said Jacobson.
The bunkhouse was for hired hands that worked on the McFarland Ranch. Many of these workers were Miwok Indians.
"The Miwok bunkhouse will be a historical center for the Miwoks to demonstrate the Miwok culture," said Jacobson.
Many of the projects at McFarland Ranch have been completed and are being enjoyed by schoolchildren.
"The carriage house is completed, the metal shed is completed, all the fencing is going up, and over 123 Valley Oak trees have been planted," said Jacobson. "We have 3,000 feet of irrigation going to all the trees. The parking area for visitors is finished. The chicken coup is finished, has chickens, and they are laying eggs."
Other projects that will be competed in the near future are the relocation of the metal barn. A replica of the original wooden barn will be built where the metal barn is now.
"We are jumping back and forth between projects as grant money comes in," said Jacobson. "Community help is the key, volunteers and cash donations."
Contact Ron Jacobson, (209) 745-1491, or Genie Olson, (209) 745-4218, for information.
Many business and organizations have helped make McFarland Ranch a reality.
"Benson's Fence did a great job; Ace Hardware, the LDS Church, the Lions Club, FFA at Galt High School have helped. Both the Boy and Girl Scouts have helped. Francis Jacobson, and Carol and Jim Snow gave a lot of time. Many Galt residents have been a lot of help. Giddens Brothers, out of Galt, gave us a special price on the sheet metal for the gutters. Thanks to everyone who has put his or her time and effort into making McFarland Living History Ranch a reality."
Staff Writer - Pieces of California's history of transportation will soon play a vital role in preserving a piece of Galt's pioneer history as the timber from two old Sacramento valley bridges will be used to restore significant portions of the farmhouse at the McFarland Living History Ranch.
Director of the McFarland Advisory Committee and retired contractor/rancher Ron Jacobson said that the Alta Mesa Bridge timbers are going to be milled and used on the McFarland Ranch project as well as the remnants from the Thornton/Franklin Bridge, a timber trestle structure that goes across the overflow flood plain north of the Mokolumne River.
"We are waiting for the demolition of the Thornton Bridge, when we will have 700 redwood timbers that will be milled and cut," said Jacobson. "The timbers will provide new siding, new window frames, door frames, trim, mopboards and also the original porch and the verandahs in back all out of the redwood."
The McFarland farmhouse, originally built in 1872 will be rebuilt from original plans.
"We have the original plans. They were found in the house by the great grand niece of McFarland," said Jacobson. "She found them in one of the closets when she was cleaning out the house before it was turned over to the county. They were so brittle."
Not only were the original plans of the farmhouse found, but several pictures to help rebuild the farmhouse to its original condition and appearance.
"The pictures were blown up so that the house is being rebuilt according to the pictures and the plans," said Jacobson.
The Sacramento County Parks and Recreation Department has donated the redwood timbers to the McFarland Ranch project.
"Once we get the wood and get it cut, we will need volunteers to put it together," said Jacobson.
Everything will be as close to original as possible, including the fireplaces and the wood stove. Many pieces of the original furniture, saved by the family through the years, will be returned to the house.
"The grand niece has saved the original furniture. We will get much of it back when the house is completed," said Jacobson.
Currently the roof is being dismantled and replaced to protect the farmhouse from outside elements. The widows' watch will also be built in approximately one month.
"The Roof Rangers, owned by Pat Maple, has furnished the labor on the roof, tool shed, and privy," said Jacobson. "Pat Maple furnished the labor and the materials for the carriage house, and a partial donation on the roof."
The privy is almost completed, which is a replica of the original.
"We saw the pictures and got the dimensions, comparing the privy to the woodshed," said Jacobson. "The grandniece explained what it looked like on the inside. It has a seat for a child and two for adults."
The privy will be set out next to the woodshed after the privy roof is completed and it is painted.
The original bunkhouse will be built in the next couple of months, and the funds came from the Cesar Chavez Grant for Service and Learning.
"It is a service learning project and will be built by kids. Both the elementary schools and the high school will be involved," said Jacobson.
The bunkhouse was for hired hands that worked on the McFarland Ranch. Many of these workers were Miwok Indians.
"The Miwok bunkhouse will be a historical center for the Miwoks to demonstrate the Miwok culture," said Jacobson.
Many of the projects at McFarland Ranch have been completed and are being enjoyed by schoolchildren.
"The carriage house is completed, the metal shed is completed, all the fencing is going up, and over 123 Valley Oak trees have been planted," said Jacobson. "We have 3,000 feet of irrigation going to all the trees. The parking area for visitors is finished. The chicken coup is finished, has chickens, and they are laying eggs."
Other projects that will be competed in the near future are the relocation of the metal barn. A replica of the original wooden barn will be built where the metal barn is now.
"We are jumping back and forth between projects as grant money comes in," said Jacobson. "Community help is the key, volunteers and cash donations."
Contact Ron Jacobson, (209) 745-1491, or Genie Olson, (209) 745-4218, for information.
Many business and organizations have helped make McFarland Ranch a reality.
"Benson's Fence did a great job; Ace Hardware, the LDS Church, the Lions Club, FFA at Galt High School have helped. Both the Boy and Girl Scouts have helped. Francis Jacobson, and Carol and Jim Snow gave a lot of time. Many Galt residents have been a lot of help. Giddens Brothers, out of Galt, gave us a special price on the sheet metal for the gutters. Thanks to everyone who has put his or her time and effort into making McFarland Living History Ranch a reality."