DATE: April 20, 2004
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Putting History Back into the Historic Witch
Creek School
SUMMARY:
Today's action will authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to work
with the Julian Historical Society to negotiate a nominal lease agreement
for the group's occupation of the Witch Creek School once the Julian Library
moves into its new home.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Chairwoman Dianne Jacob:
- Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to work with the Julian Historical Society on a nominal lease of the Witch Creek School building in Julian, to be used as an historic museum once the Julian Library moves to its new location in autumn 2004.
- Authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to return to the Board of Supervisors within 120 days with recommendations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action can be done with existing resources.
BACKGROUND:
The current Julian Library building was originally a one-room schoolhouse
constructed in 1888 by the Sawday family in the Witch Creek area of San
Diego County. After being closed in 1954, the school and property reverted
back to the family and fell into disrepair for a number of years. Recognizing
its historical value, the Sawday family transferred ownership of the old
school building to the Julian Historical Society on the condition that
the building be moved off of the Sawday property, restored, and used as
a library or historic museum.
The Julian Historical Society entered into an agreement with the County of San Diego in 1970, whereby the County would own and operate the school as a library or museum. The Julian Historical Society contributed almost one-third of the funding for the relocation and renovation of the building. The Witch Creek School building was moved to Julian's Pioneer County Park, restored to its 19th century dignity and rededicated as the San Diego County Julian Branch Library on November 12, 1971. The County historical park that is now home to the Witch Creek School also offers the Julian Pioneer Museum, Transportation Museum, Grosskopf House, as well as picnic and lecture facilities.
Operation and management of the Witch Creek School building is currently under control of the County Librarian. However, Julian is building a new, larger library, and will be vacating the Witch Creek School later this year, leaving the building unoccupied.
The Julian Historical Society has therefore stepped up to the plate once again in the name of the Witch Creek School, offering to assume occupancy of the schoolhouse once the existing library moves to its new home. The Julian Historical Society proposes to supply memorabilia and house the Society's historical archives, which would be available for on-premises research, in keeping with the terms of the agreements with the Sawday family and with the County. The building will serve as Julian Historical Society headquarters, be staffed by volunteer docents, and be open to the public.
Therefore, today's action authorizes the Chief Administrative Officer to work with the Julian Historical Society to negotiate a nominal lease for the Julian Historical Society's occupation of the Witch Creek School once the Julian Library moves into its new home, and to return to the Board within 120 days with recommendations.
I urge your support!
Respectfully submitted,
DIANNE JACOB
Chairwoman, Second District
