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Spring 2007
The jail was abandoned in the mid 1940s and has fallen into terrible disrepair. Our goal is to restore the jail as a static museum to its ‘glory days’ in the mid 1920s. We are working on the back, ‘newer’ portion, which was the Constable’s Office and a jail cell.
We have received all the paperwork and approvals from The Lions Club of Santa Margarita and SLO General Services for work to begin.
Bob Vesseley (a civil and structural engineer from San Luis Obispo) visited our jail and provided us with a probable building date of the mid 1920’s, However, any time from 1890-1950 is possible. We will continue to explore the exact date of the building of the SM jail.
Nick Fortune at Oak Country Lumber, is building an interior and exterior door.
He has purchased an antique lock and keys that will complement the exterior door. Nick is donating a turn of the century safe for the Constable’s office.
Once doors are in, graffiti removal will begin. Jim Kelly, from Templeton will ‘soda blast’ the walls to the graffiti. Work is scheduled to start the 1st week of April
Menconi Welding of Santa Margarita will remove and straighten the windows. Shatterproof glass will be installed behind the bars.
Tim Bone will rewire the jail for safety and security lighting. We are asking San Luis Obispo County Library Administration to pay for monthly charges for security lighting.
Kathy Loftus has secured us a period desk for the constable’s office. Sparky Harris has donated a period bed frame that will be used in the demonstration jail cell.
The Sheriff’s Office has committed to finding period law enforcement materials that we can display.
Jim Patterson, 5th District Supervisor has granted the SMHS $1,000 to help with the jail restoration.
SMHS is asking for a grant from the SLO Community Foundation to help with the renovation costs.
San Luis Obispo County, who owns and manages the property will not pay for any restoration on the jail. The $1,000 we have received as a grant from Supervisor Patterson is the only money that we have for the jail. Any donation of money, materials or labor will be used to restore the jail.
Please contact Cheri Roe 805.438.4102 email to: info@santamargaritahistoricalsociety.org
Our partners in this project are:
Oak Country Lumber, Santa Margarita
So Kleen Systems, Templeton
Menconi Welding, Santa Margarita
Tim Bone Electric, Santa Margarita
Dave Curry, ferro mobius
Don Chaffin, Santa Margarita
Jim Gallagher, Santa Margarita
The Santa Margarita Lions Club
The San Luis Obispo County Library
San Luis Obispo County General Services
Boy Scout Troop 123
Thank you for your support of the restoration of the Santa Margarita Jail.
Cheri Roe
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