REDMAN-HIRAHARA HOUSE TO BE LIFTED WEDNESDAY

Preparations are under way and the site work has begun to lift the Redman-Hirahara House onto cribbing, stabilizing the historic home until a new foundation is constructed. The lifting of the house will begin Wednesday morning at 10:30 a.m. and will go on for several hours.
Ron Campbell of Fresno Housemovers is currently on site placing steel I-beams and smaller cross beams underneath the house in preparation for the lift.

The house is recognizable throughout the region as it rests just off Highway 1 west of Watsonville at the corner of Beach Street and Lee Road. The house is significant, not only for its agricultural history, but its cultural history as well. It is the first known farmstead owned by a Japenese-American family, the Hiraharas. The family was interned during WWII and was forced to leave the home. Fortunately, local residents watched over the home and it was waiting for the Hiraharas when they returned and then the barn was transformed into a dormitory for other Japanese-Americans left homeless by the internship.

“The story behind this house is heart wrenching and it needs to be told,” said Redman Foundation board president Geoff Scurfield. Lifting the house is a huge step forward for the Redman Foundation, the non-profit organization that is overseeing the restoration of the home and plans to transform the site into an educational and cultural center. Already, 10 acres of the farm are being leased by a local organic farmer and school children are already visiting and learning.

“In the 10-year history of our efforts, this is the biggest step we’ve made in restoring the house,” said Geoff Scurfield, president of the Redman Foundation. “This is such an important project for the entire Central Coast. Highway One is California’s most historic highway and so many people drive by this house, millions each year. We can reach so many people.”

The approximately 115-ton, 2 1/2-story home will be hoisted up on jacks after beams have been put in place underneath. When put back down on the new foundation, the house will sit 2 ½ feet higher than it is currently, lifting it above the flood plain of the Pajaro River.

Redman board vice president Dean Coley said raising funds for the foundation will be the next challenge, but once that is complete, he hopes the house will be resting on a new foundation by next winter.

“This is great for the community of the entire Central Coast,” said Coley. “Millions of cars pass that house along Highway One each year and it could be such a wonderful showcase. We need to take pride in our history here.”

Please call Geoff Scurfield at 818-2707 or Dean Coley at 840-1000 for more information. Media are invited to visit the site, but please call first.