August 10, 2006

Feed & Fuel Faithful

Almaden Feed & Fuel advocates await their day in court

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

Proponents for saving the Almaden Feed & Fuel were prepared to present their case to the city of San Jose’s Historic Landmarks Commission at San Jose City Hall on Aug. 2. But it was removed from the agenda because the commission wasn’t ready for them.

Advocates spoke on behalf of making the Almaden Feed & Fuel a historical landmark recently. Supporters proudly wore yellow ribbons to show their solidarity. Photos by Lorraine Gabbert

Even though it was postponed until Sept. 6, those gathered to plead its case decided to remain. Adorned with yellow ribbons of support, they sat together waiting to be heard during the Petitions and Communications phase of the session, which allows the general public two minutes per person to address the commission.

“We’re hoping to have them note our presence and gain their support in making the Feed & Fuel a historic landmark,” said New Almaden historian Art Boudreault, who doesn’t feel that San Jose takes enough care of its history.

Kitty Monahan, who has served on the Preservation Action Council, agrees. “The city of San Jose and county of Santa Clara don’t have any understanding of preserving historical sites,” she said. “They are very short-sighted. If they lived in Egypt, we wouldn’t have the pyramids, and if they lived in Italy, the Leaning Tower of Pisa [would be gone].”

Almaden Feed & Fuel is more than 125 years old. It’s the only saloon stagecoach stop left between downtown San Jose and the Quicksilver Mines. “This is the last old time place to eat or socialize left along Almaden Road,” said Lauren Bowker. “The Quicksilver Kitchen and Redwood Cabin Tavern were torn down for homes at the McKean intersection; and the Country Store, Opry House and Down Under are closed.”

Former Almaden Feed & Fuel staff showed their support

In addition to providing the commission with research data and archival photographs, the committee commissioned its own historical evaluation. This report by the Archeological Resource Management rates the building and location a high level “Structure of Merit” at 56.43 percent, just shy of a “Candidate City Landmark” at 67 percent. In addition, Boudreault’s research found an additional 38.5 points, bringing it to 94.8 percent.

“We feel very strongly about this,” he said, “and we think our chances are good. We’re proving it’s historical and has merits, people and events; everything people were saying it didn’t have.”

While awaiting their hearing, the proponents plan to continue collecting archival photographs, including selections from the Pfeiffer family album, further illustrating the historical importance of the Almaden Feed & Fuel.

“The Feed & Fuel is our place of choice,” agreed Joni Gingrich. “It’s a community hang-out. The people who work there aren’t just employees, they’re your friends. They take care of you. They know your drink. They save your table. They even decorate for your birthday.”

Previous Almaden Feed & Fuel owner Blondie Barnd hopes to see the former stagecoach stop remain at its current site. “I told John Carson [the current owner] that when I sold it to Steve, he promised me it would stay a bar and restaurant,” she said. “Then he came in as a partner and things changed. I’d like to see it stay. Almaden’s a very rich community now, but the Almaden Feed & Fuel is rich in history.”

For Sharon Pfeiffer, the business was once her family’s home and is the last building of many in the area once owned by the Pfeiffer family. “Six generations of Pfeiffers grew up in Almaden hearing stories about and visiting the Feed & Fuel,” she said. “After going to church at little St. Anthony’s in New Almaden, the family would have lunch there. I have pictures of my dad and his brother there when they were young. It’s been there for so long and it’s important to have that connection in New Almaden. I’m here to try to keep this building as a historical landmark. It’s like a part of the family.”

The Historic Landmarks Commission listened to comments by those for and against keeping the Almaden Feed & Fuel a bar and restaurant at its current location. Photo by Lorraine Gabbert

Bowker spoke before the Historic Com-mission suggesting “the Historical Landmark Commission to be our applicant to nominate this building and site to the City Council for historic landmark status.”

“Once the application is filed, we could be involved in that process,” agreed a Historic Commission staff member, “but it would be best to look at the environmental review first, prior to looking at the city landmark status for that building. As that process concludes, it will provide information as to the appropriateness of a nomination as a city landmark.”

However, the Almaden Feed & Fuel is not without its critics. “I’m not specifically against the Feed & Fuel becoming a historic landmark,” said a longtime resident, “but I’m against it leveraging historic landmark status to maintain a bar and restaurant.”

He believes that as Almaden Valley has grown through the years, reaching beyond the Feed & Fuel, the facility has become a safety issue. “There are a lot of children around the vicinity, going from Williams Elementary School to the other side,” he noted. “There are very loud motorcycles, and because of speeding, we’ve had to call the police. It’s not just around the Feed & Fuel, but affects Almaden Expressway and Camden Avenue, as well. It’s changed since the bar closed down; it’s extremely quiet there now. People can enjoy the peace and tranquility of Almaden, which is why we moved out there. I love it and have been there for 22 years. My kids are growing up in Almaden.”

While keeping the Almaden Feed & Fuel in its present location adds to its historic value, there are some problems. Ed Della Monica said the county won’t allow it to be moved unless the establishment becomes a museum, rather than a bar and grill.

“It’s not a matter of money,” says Della Monica. “The land is zoned agricultural at the proposed McKean Road site, while it is zoned use-permit through the city at its present location.”

“We’re not giving up,” he vows. “It’s something worth fighting for. It’s a part of history and should be saved.”

The next Historic Landmarks Commission hearing will take place in Room W118/119 in the Council Wing of City Hall, 200 East Santa Clara Street, on Sept. 6. At that time, the historical status of the Almaden Feed & Fuel is scheduled to be determined. Archival photos can be sent to Ed Della Monica at: ubthegc@yahoo.com.