Project Update: Garcia Ranch Adobe Potato Barn

By Colorado Preservation, Inc. | Published: November 18, 2021

Conditional Grant from Heritage Area for Garcia Ranch Adobe Potato Barn

Photo courtesy of Colorado Preservation, Inc.

Colorado Preservation, Inc. received notification of a pending $22,249 grant from Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area for rehabilitation of the unique adobe potato barn at Garcia Ranch in Conejos County. The grant will be used to match a possible State Historical Fund grant request, now under review, and is contingent on Congressional approval of 2022 National Heritage Area funding. In the interim, Colorado Preservation, Inc. will work with architect Barbara Darden and project contractors to carry out an emergency stabilization of the unique, double-walled with air pocket west wall of the building, which has partially fallen and threatens the stability of the roof and structure. This feature of the building, along with its adobe construction, made possible better climate-controlled storage of potatoes, which have been grown extensively in San Luis Valley for decades.

Graphic courtesy of Barbara Darden.

In 2019, Colorado Preservation, Inc. listed Adobe Potato Cellars of San Luis Valley on Colorado’s Most Endangered Places and is interested in working with other property owners who might wish to preserve their adobe potato barns and cellars in the area. Garcia Ranch Adobe Potato Barn is owned by Reyes Garcia, who is a descendent of “pobladores” (settlers) who came from northern New Mexico and established the resource rich ranch in 1885. The effort to save the adobe potato barn and others is part of a partnership aiming to help preserve sites of significance to the Hispano people and Spanish culture of Colorado (underrepresented communities per Goal A, 2020 State Preservation Action Plan).

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