A rare and iconic landmark unique to San Luis Obispo County, the Octagon Barn was on the verge of collapse when The Land Conservancy stepped in to save the building and revitalize the site for community benefit. Today, thanks to many dedicated volunteers and generous donors, The Land Conservancy has restored the historic Octagon Barn itself. But more work is needed to complete the Octagon Barn Center and open the site for public use.
The structural restoration of the Octagon Barn has been a community effort that has involved tremendous local support since 1996. Literally thousands of volunteer hours have helped repair the barn piece by piece, making this project one of the Land Conservancy’s most popular efforts. Our volunteers have shared their memories and have woven their own stories about the Barn with those of past generations. Many local businesses have also helped with materials and construction expertise. Today we can proudly say that the century-old Octagon Barn structure has been saved from collapse.
With our Conditional Use Permit in hand, we have taken the first step towards transformation of a formerly private site into a public amenity with the fully restored Barn as the keystone element. The Octagon Barn Center will be a multi-use community asset that will host private and public events and serve as a new trailhead for the Bob Jones City to Sea Bike Trail.
Scheduled to open by 2015, the Octagon Barn Center will celebrate local agriculture and land conservation with displays highlighting the history and future of San Luis Obispo County’s landscapes. Rental fees for moderately scaled events such as barn dances, weddings, and festivals will provide self-sustaining funding for maintenance and upkeep of the facility.
Octagon Barn Center Project Highlights
Envisioned as a community gathering place at the edge of the country-city boundary, the Octagon Barn Center will provide opportunities for folks to:
- Explore San Luis Obispo County’s agricultural past, especially local dairy farming
- Gather and celebrate special occasions in a unique setting
- Learn about the importance of land conservation
- Ride a bicycle or walk along the future Bob Jones Trail
- See the stories of local people come to life through the years
Major Project Funding Partners
- Forbes Family Foundation
- Utility Telephone
- Westland Engineering
- Hind Foundation
- PG&E
- CalTrans
- San Luis Obispo County Parks
Back when the barn was built, it was common for farmers, ranchers, and town folk to work together on barn raising events. We hope to capture this community vitality to support our current effort. Your help is needed to realize the dream of the Octagon Barn Center. Join us in raising a barn and raising our community!
- Volunteer
- Donate and designate your gift to the Octagon Barn
- Share your story through our Oral History Project
