Published in the Feb. 5, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Mike Monroe
Mike Monroe
I sure enjoy a pancake breakfast once in a while. So I thought I would fuel up with some hearty fixings at the Grange Hall before launching out on a tour of some nearby historic properties. A hot griddle cake breakfast will be served from 8 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 2. I will arrive about 9 a.m. for breakfast and conversation with some of the regulars.
Of course, the Grange Hall is a historic jewel for downtown Morgan Hill. It was constructed in 1904 as our town’s second elementary school and was built next to first the schoolhouse, which opened in 1895. In 1926 the Morgan Hill Grange (a subordinate Grange within the Santa Clara County Pomona), purchased the site for community meetings. It became the go-to spot, especially for local farmers, orchard owners and ranchers where they talked about topics such as water conservation and agricultural practices. The first grammar school was demolished during the 1920s.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the Grange, I hope to look around the building at some of the many photos on the wall of people and places from Morgan Hill’s past.The 1984 earthquake damaged the structure and money from the Redevelopment Agency helped repair the building and re-open it for public use in 1986.
Across the street from the Grange Hall once stood the Morgan Hill Farmers Union, a cooperative that had its origins in the city of Campbell about 1909. The Morgan Hill facility was the second cooperative to get underway in Santa Clara County. Dried prunes, apricots, pears and peaches — all from the Valley of Heart’s Delight — were packaged and shipped to San Francisco markets. The Farmers Union was also known as the California Prune and Apricot Growers Association and it eventually formed into the marketing trade name of Sunsweet. A cannery was also established along the railroad tracks as the latest in food-processing technology and transportation improvements became vital to the many families earning their living from regional agriculture.
The towering grain elevators are still visible at the Granary thanks to Leslie Miles and Charles Weston, owners of the architecture firm based in this unique building a couple of blocks north of the Grange. The production of grain crops has been a big part of our Valley ever since the Californios and their ranchos were established back in the early 1800’s.
Join me for breakfast at the Grange and a relaxing stroll afterwards. I look forward to our visit as we talk about Morgan Hill history and what’s happening in downtown today.
Downtown Morgan Hill Walk:
Time/Date: 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday, March 2
Description: Easy stroll, rain cancels
Location: Meet at the Grange Hall, 40 E. 4th St.
Contact: Mike (408) 234-6377
Mike Monroe is a local business owner and amateur naturalist. He is docent for Santa Clara County parks and an Adopt-a-Creek member.
