HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Resolution 17-054 -point of interest marker - Original Blossom Festival siteRESOLUTION NO. 17-054
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SARATOGA
AUTHORIZING THE INSTALLATION OF A POINT OF INTEREST MARKER FOR
THE ORIGINAL BLOSSOM FESTIVAL SITE ON SARATOGA AVENUE
WHEREAS, on February 1, 2017 City Council of Saratoga adopted Resolution No. 17-
007 which authonzed a process for establishing Point of Interest Markers on public property or
within a street nght of way to increase knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the City's
past by commemorating events and places that are identified with the region that are no longer in
existence, and
WHEREAS, the City Council determined on February 1, 2017 that a site marked as a Point
of Interest does not signify the site as a cultural or historical resource, is not identifying a heritage
site nor is it to be associated with the Saratoga's Heritage Resources Inventory, and
WHEREAS, in the year 1900 a celebration was organized when the drought ended and it
was called the Blossom Festival. Each succeeding year the event grew in popularity and the
original festival was continuously held until after WWII, and
WHEREAS, the Hentage Preservation Commission has recommended that a Point of
Interest Marker be installed on Saratoga Avenue to identify the original Blossom Festival Site, and
WHEREAS, the text for the proposed marker was drafted, reviewed and edited by the
Hentage Preservation Commission and the Director of Community Development, and
WHEREAS, the Director of Public Works reviewed and recommended the marker
location adjacent to Saratoga Federated Church, near the corner of Saratoga Avenue and Park
Place, in consultation with the Hentage Preservation Commission and the Director of Community
Development, and
WHEREAS, the location of the marker was discussed with the adjacent property owner
representative who had no objections to the marker, and
WHEREAS, this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act because
there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment
(CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3))
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Saratoga hereby•
1 Authorizes the final text and marker design (Exhibit A), and
2 Authorizes the location to install the Point of Interest Marker (Exhibit B), and
3 Authorizes the Director of Community Development and the Director of Public
Works to proceed with contracting for the manufacturing and installation of the
marker
The above and foregoing resolution was passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Saratoga
City Council held on the 18t day of October 2017 by the following vote-
AYES- Mayor Emily Lo, Vice Mayor Mary -Lynne Bernald, Council Members E Manny
Cappello, Howard A Miller, Rishi Kumar
NOES
ABSENT -
ABSTAIN.
Emily Lo, Mayor
ATTEST.
Ctj"2-q7-t1.7
�octrr.d 1'C l "� DATE.
ry 1 Bothelio, City Clerk
Exhibit A
THE ORIGINAL BLOSSOM FESTIVAL SITE
1900-1941
SANTA CLARA VALLEY WAS ONCE KNOWN AS THE VALLEY OF HEARTS DELIGHT ONE-THIRD OF THE PRUNES
CONSUMED IN THE WORLD AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY WERE PRODUCED IN SANTA CLARA
COUNTY, AND EACH SPRING THE VALLEY WAS CARPETED WITH BLOSSOMS
GRATEFUL FOR THE ENDING OF A DROUGHT, ES WILLIAMS (EVERLASTING SUNSHINE), THE FATHER OF THE
BLOSSOM FESTIVAL, SUGGESTED A JOLLIFICATION FOR ALL TO ENJOY THE BLOSSOMING VALLEY AND THE
FRUITFUL BOUNTY SOON TO FOLLOW
PEOPLE TRAVELED BY HORSE, HORSE-DRAWN WAGONS OR TRAIN FROM AS FAR AWAY AS SAN FRANCISCO
LATER, THE INTERURBAN RAILWAY BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO THE FESTIVAL, GIVING THEM AN
OPPORTUNITY TO VIEW THE BLOSSOMS THAT FILLED THE VALLEY. THE DAY INCLUDED ATHLETIC CONTESTS,
MUSIC, BLOSSOM TOURS, MEALS FOR 25 CENTS AND FREE BOTTLED CONGRESS SPRINGS WATER. HUNDREDS
ATTENDED THE FIRST FESTIVAL, LEAVING WITH SMILES AND A BOUQUET OF WILD FLOWERS.
THE FESTIVAL QUICKLY GREW IN SOPHISTICATION WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO SYMPHONY PERFORMING A
CONCERT, CHORAL CONCERTS, AND BALLETS CHOREOGRAPHED BY VIVIAN AMIT JOHNSON LOCAL MAYORS,
THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA AND SENATOR PHELAN SPOKE AT THE FESTIVAL OVER 10,000 PEOPLE
ATTENDED THE FESTIVAL ONE YEAR.
THE URBANIZATION OF SARATOGA AFTER WWII ENDED THE ORIGINAL FESTIVAL,
AS ORCHARD LAND WAS CONVERTED INTO HOUSING AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
30' WIDE x 20' HIGH BRONZE PLAQUE, 1-1/2' THICK, BROWN BACKGROUND LEATHER TEXTURE
6 TAPPED HOLES AT EACH SIDE FOR A POST POST MOUNT (CUSTOMER SUPPLIED) HOLES AT TOP BOTTOM, MIDDLE OF EDGE
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4-11-2013
L. Wade Hammond
Licensed Land Surveyor
No 6163
36660 Newerk Blvd Suite C
Newark, California 94560
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