Messages From the
Visalia Heritage President 2024
By Walter Deissler
July 2024
Visalia Heritage is excited to invite you to our upcoming Fox Theatre tour, where visitors can explore the rich history and architectural splendor of this iconic landmark. This tour will provide a unique opportunity to experience this iconic old movie house’s grandeur and learn about its significance in Visalia’s cultural heritage.
In addition to the Fox Theatre tour, Visalia Heritage is pursuing the development of a museum. We would like to hear from all our members as to their thoughts on this museum project. For the moment, we are specifically focusing on the historic Southern Pacific Depot as a museum site. This 1916 train station holds great historical significance for the community. Visalia Heritage needs to learn the community’s enthusiasm for the project. We’d love to hear from you on the establishment of a museum in general and also your thoughts on the Depot building as the museum.
Please contact me directly at presvisaliaheritage@gmail.com. I look forward to your feedback.
Visalia Heritage is committed to preserving and promoting the city’s heritage, and these initiatives demonstrate our dedication to creating engaging experiences and fostering community involvement. Stay tuned for more updates on the development of the museum at the Southern Pacific Depot.
HAVE YOU RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP?
We appreciate your support of the work of Visalia Heritage and hope you will renew your yearly membership or join as a member. Members receive free or discounted entrance to certain VH events and are kept abreast of events and accomplishments through our email newsletter. We have added a new category for couples/families who want to join. Membership categories are $25 for individuals, $50 for families, and $10 for students.
May 2024
May is National Preservation Month! The California Office of Historic Preservation invites communities to make the month an opportunity for discovering/rediscovering, honoring and sharing the unique heritage of local regions.
Visalia Heritage is doing just that! In celebration of our history, I am thrilled to announce an event this Saturday that will surely excite all history enthusiasts and adventure seekers–the Visalia Heritage History Scavenger Hunt! This unique and engaging activity will take participants on a journey through time, allowing them to explore the hidden gems and significant landmarks that have shaped our city’s identity.
The scavenger hunt will provide an opportunity for individuals, families, and friends to come together to unravel the mysteries of Visalia’s past. Participants will navigate through various clues and challenges, testing their knowledge of local history and showcasing their detective skills. Along the way, they will discover fascinating stories, encounter historical figures, and gain a deeper appreciation for the legacy of our community.
As we embark on this adventure together, let us remember the importance of preserving our history for future generations. Our heritage is what makes Visalia unique, and it is our responsibility to ensure it remains alive and thriving.
See you Saturday!
February 2024
Dear Visalia Heritage Community,
As we enter a new year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible progress we have made together and to express my gratitude for your support.
Over the past year, we have opened the Fort Visalia Heritage Room and completed our downtown walking tour of historic buildings. These two accomplishments have laid a strong foundation for our community to share in Visalia‘s rich history.
I am proud to announce that our next effort is to open a cultural center museum. Stan and Wendy Simpson purchased and donated land at the NW corner of Encina and Murray for our Center. At our Holiday Party, in appreciation for this generous gift, Visalia Heritage made Stan and Wendy Lifetime Members. This will be a community effort and will take the hard work of our dedicated volunteers and generous donors like yourselves.
In addition to our Visalia Cultural Center, we have also made significant strides in promoting cultural awareness and education. Our community events have provided valuable insights into the history and heritage of Visalia. Please join us for our upcoming event Understanding Fort Visalia and Beyond.
Looking ahead, there is still much work to be done. We are committed to expanding our outreach programs, engaging with local schools, and partnering with other organizations to further promote heritage preservation and education. With your continued support, I am confident that we can achieve even greater milestones in the coming year.
As we move forward, I encourage you to stay engaged and connected with our community. Attend our events, share your stories and memories, and continue to support our mission in any way you can. Together, we can ensure that the legacy of Visalia’s heritage remains strong for generations to come.
Best regards,
Walter Deissler
President, Visalia Heritage
559-972-4872
History of Visalia Heritage
VISALIA HERITAGE came about as a result of the widespread ravaging of historic properties all California cities were undergoing in the 1970s. In Visalia, particularly, many single-family homes were being moved or demolished to build multi-family rental units. These cookie-cutter apartment buildings can be found on almost every block of the central part of town. In 1978 a group of concerned citizens pushed the city to complete an inventory of historic houses, buildings and landmarks.
The Survey area was bounded by Houston Avenue, Santa Fe Avenue, Tulare Avenue and Giddings Avenue. This was divided into six sub-areas to help manage the work. A coordinator was assigned to each area. A Preservation Training Seminar was held on March 11, 1978 to train nearly 160 volunteers in differentiating various architectural styles and terminology.
These volunteers, in groups of two or three, did the field survey over a six-month period. They noted the condition of each property (regardless of the age of the building), speaking to residents and owners, taking photos and searching through the records available. This included business properties and vacant lots. This information was entered on a form provided by the city. Funding was provided by a 50/50 matching grant from the State Office of Historic Preservation. Technical assistance was provided by Charles Hall Page and associates in San Francisco, specifically to nominate exceptional properties to the state or national registers.
Upon completion of the survey, city staff prepared a report, The Historic Preservation Element. The report recommended establishing a “Local Register” which categorized properties into several categories and assigned each an architectural style. The HPAC was to be responsible for administering the Historic Preservation District Ordinance, which preserved and promoted the city’s cultural heritage. The Preservation Element also recommended that a private, non-profit organization was needed. Thus, the 15 members of HPAC formed the first board of Visalia Heritage.