Restoration of the East Barn, Santa Teresa County Park Historic Area

The West Barn (left) and East Barn (center) at the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch, 4/12/10.

There are 2 barns at the Bernal-Joice-Ranch in the Santa Teresa County Park Historic Area. The west barn was restored and opened to the public in 2002. The East Barn, often called the Old Barn, has been in a state of ruin for years. It was a picturesque ruin, as shown by the picture above, good for photography, but not for anything else. It was in such a deteriorated condition that it was hazardous and off-limits. Large parts of the roof had fallen or blown off. Signs warned it contained rodents carrying the deadly hantavirus.

Pre-restoration

5/14/01: Front of the East Barn during the restoration of the rest of the ranch. Note the missing door on the right, the Keep Out sign, the utility box, and the doors on the left.

7/10/01: Rear of the East Barn. Note the oak tree in the corner.

3/10/2002: While the rest of the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch is being restored, the East Barn is newly fenced off. The ground in front of the barn is overgrown with weeds.

3/10/2002: This shows the construction of the roof: wood shingles on top and sheet metal on the lower part. Traces of whitewash can be seen at the top of the front siding and along the left side. Most of the front side is bare, weathered wood.

6/29/02: This is at the dedication ceremony for the Bernal-Gulnac-Joice Ranch. The newly restored white West Barn is being unveiled to the public. Note that the West Barn has a sheet metal roof. The siding is painted with conventional modern paint. The ground in front of the East Barn has been cleared.

12/25/2008: 6 years later, the East Barn looks the same. Note the warning sign in front of the barn. It warns about hantavirus.

12/25/2008: A closer view of the barn.

3/21/2011: This is half a year before restoration. Note the condition of the siding and roof and location of the oak tree at the left rear corner of the barn. The roof on the right side of the barn has most of the sheet metal missing.

9/12/2011: This is the last picture I have showing the East Barn prior to its restoration. Wild turkeys are commonly seen feeding around the ranch.

Restoration:

Studies were done by consultants on ways to restore the barn. Three alternatives were considered: The first was to reinforce the barn in place with steel reinforcement, keeping as much historic wood material as possible. The second was to salvage the siding, demolish the structure, reconstruct it with new materials conforming to the exterior configuration of the barn, but meeting current building codes, and reapply the historic siding. The third was to demolish barn and build a replica with all-new materials. The estimates for the costs for the 3 options (in 2004) were $360K, $370K, and $300K, respectively. Initially, the first option was chosen, but due to the deteriorated condition of the barn, the second option was ultimately chosen. After many years of planning, design changes, delays, and funding issues, the barn restoration finally began in fall 2011. Here are pictures showing its progress.

10/1/2011: The siding on the front and right side of the barn has been removed, revealing the wooden framework.

10/6/2011: All the siding has been removed, showing the framework. Note the condition of the roof on the far side of the barn and the position of the oak tree relative to the barn. One of the problems holding up the project was this large coast live oak tree, mature, but not historic, growing right next to the left rear corner of the barn. The contractors said that it would interfere with the barn restoration. The choices were to cut down the tree, move the tree, or move the barn. The final decision was to move the barn.

10/6/2011: View of the left side of the barn. Note the concrete foundation and the flimsy framework, with wide spacing between the studs.

10/6/2011: A closer view of the framework holding up the barn and the wide open supports for the roof.

10/6/2011: view of the front of the barn showing the framework.

10/6/2011: Another view of the left side of the barn, showing the oak tree n the corner.

10/28/2011: The barn is completely gone. The old foundation has been removed. Workers are preparing to build the new foundation.

11/10/2011: The new foundation is being built.

11/10/2011: note how the foundation has 3 levels.

12/1/2011: The framework is being built, with all new wood. Note the stacks of plywood.

12/1/2011: View from the left side. Note the size and spacing of the framework compared to the original above. It is built to modern standards and is much stronger.

12/1/2011: View of the front of the barn. Plywood sheathing is being applied, starting from the right front side.

12/17/2011: The framework and plywood sheathing on the front of the barn is nearly complete. There are no roof supports in the center yet.

12/17/2011: The plywood sheathing has been applied to the left upper and lower sides.

12/19/2011: The plywood sheathing on the right side and the roof supports in the center of the barn can be seen.

12/19/2011: From the left side, note the rafters for the center of the roof and the solid plywood underlayment for the left side roof.

12/19/2011: This shows how far the foundation has been moved west of the oak tree.

12/19/2011: This shows the plywood sheathing on the back side of the barn.

1/7/2012: The support structure for the roof is complete. The shingles are being applied over tarpaper. Wood shingles are being applied throughout, not the hybrid wood shingle/sheet metal of the original roof.

1/7/2012: View of the read of the barn, showing the spacing between the oak tree and the barn.

1/13/2012: View of both barns, similar to the picture at the top of the page.

1/13/2012: Roofers are working on the roof on the right side of the barn.

1/13/2012: View of the rear of barn.

1/17/2012: Roofers working on the right side of the barn.

1/20/2012: The roof is complete. The plywood sheathing is being painted to protect it.

1/27/2012: The painting of the plywood is done.

1/31/2012: View of the backside of the barn with the plywood painting done.

1/31/2012: View of the back of the barn, showing the roof on the right side.

3/1/2012: The siding has been applied to the right side of the barn. It is being applied to the front side, using the original boards, where still usable. Note the tarpaper underneath.

3/17/2012: Scaffolding has been put up on the front of the barn for the installation of the siding.

3/77/2012: Scaffolding on rear of the barn. Note that the wood on the left is new, while on the right is original.

4/5/2012: On the rear of the barn, note the installation of the barn door and the mixture of old and new wood siding.

4/12/2012: Doors have been installed on the front side. The whitewash application has begun. One of the final issues that delayed completion was how to paint the exterior. The choices were conventional modern paint, which is easier to apply and requires less maintenance, or whitewash, which is historically more accurate. The final decision was to use whitewash.

4/28/2012: The framework for the goat pen is being installed on the front right corner of the barn.

5/4/2012: The door has been installed and the roof is being installed on the goat pen.

5/17/2012: The goat pen undercoating has been applied. The brown finish coat is being sprayed on.

5/17/2012: Painting of the goat pen is complete.

5/18/2012: View of the front of the barn. Painting is complete. The fence to the left has been installed.

5/18/2012: View of the rear of the barn. Painting is complete. A fence has been installed.