The Cannery of Palo Alto

The Cannery of Palo Alto Artist Lofts and Cultural Center would have been an amazing enterprise for the residents of Palo Alto and visitors to the city. Shame on the City Council for not even considering it. Shame on them for cutting a back room deal out of fear of a lawsuit. There are things worth fighting for. Some of us know that.

This idea was originally pitched to the City Council about 5 years ago and an online petition was started: https://www.change.org/p/palo-alto-historic-resources-board-save-the-old-cannery-in-palo-alto-save-space-for-local-culture-bring-back-art-and-soul

UPDATE: THE OLD CANNERY WILL BE DEMOLISHED
With no guarantee that any housing will ever be built.

Writing this letter (posted below) and the other two letters I sent was a complete waste of time and energy. And the people who put the video together (attached to this post) with the interviews and wonderful footage also wasted their valiant effort. This deal was assigned to be negotiated behind closed doors a year and a half ago. The sweetheart deal for Sobrato was going to be adopted by the City Council tonight no matter what the public had to say about it over the past several public meetings. Sorry to tell you all, but your input meant absolutely nothing. The ship had already sailed. The "adults in the room" made an "adult decision," and they simply had to let all of us "children" down as easily as they could. The patronizing was on full display. Watch the video of the last meeting; you can hear it as plain as day.

P.S. I helped push and educate others on the history of the building for more than five years, a history which the City Council wound up dismissing and downplaying in their final remarks. I entered the fray, hoping that it would help save this amazing old cannery building. It was a relic worth saving no matter who had built it. It is the oldest surviving industrial building in Palo Alto. A monument to the old town of Mayfield and the Valley of Heart's Delight (which is what this area was called prior to Silicon Valley). Stepping inside it and seeing the original architecture takes you back 100 years. Photographs have the ability to transport us back in time, but nothing compares to stepping into a physical location like that - it's the closest thing we have to a time machine. So now, it's over. Done. The cannery is going to be demolished. This will be the last time I attempt to save any historical building in this politically corrupt town. If those with money want it gone, it's as good as gone. I should have learned my lesson after the City Council allowed Juana Briones' home to be demolished. Fool me once; shame on you. Fool me ten more times; shame on me.

/end rant

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Dear members of the Palo Alto City Council,

My name is Jon Kinyon. I am a 5th-generation Palo Altan. Some of my family also lived in the old west town of Mayfield, which is where Thomas Foon Chew chose to expand his business in 1918. This is my third letter to you, and I wish to expand on the building's history.

Among all of the historical significance surrounding the Bayside Cannery, which I and others have laid out, I'd like to point out that this structure is one of the last two or three surviving non-residential buildings of the old town of Mayfield, which was annexed by Palo Alto in 1925.

Mayfield's history, also present in this Cannery, is worthy of preservation.

The town of Mayfield predates the city of Palo Alto by 40 years and was thriving long before Stanford University was even dreamed up.

The town was racially integrated long before many surrounding towns. Evidence of this is clearly seen when one looks at old photographs of school children from Mayfield versus Palo Alto. Non-caucasians were forbidden from owning property in Palo Alto, yet Mayfield had a small thriving Chinatown. This is likely one reason Thomas Foon built his cannery there. He was free to purchase the property, construct an industrial building, and hire people of all races.

The town of Mayfield had one of California's first black lawmen, Sam McDonald, who was appointed Deputy Marshall of Mayfield in 1904. Years later, he served as a Secret Service Agent for the Treasury Department, Deputy Constable for Palo Alto, and Deputy Sheriff for Santa Clara County.

It took a long time before Palo Alto was able to catch up with the industry already established in Mayfield, not to mention its more inclusive views on matters of race. So, in a very real way, Mayfield significantly influenced our beloved city of Palo Alto. Let's preserve and celebrate that vital history and connection. This building deserves to stand proud for generations to come.

FROM THE DESK OF JON KINYON
P.O. Box 60028
Palo Alto, CA. 94306
[email protected]

12th September 2023

Preserve the Entire Bayside Cannery Building Thomas Foon Chew came to the United States of America from China when he was only ten years old. Later on, he made huge business success in the canning indus...

4 years ago, the City received a Historical Resource Evaluation (HRE) which determined that the old Bayside Cannery building meets the criteria to be on the California Register of Historical Resources and that the building overall is "intact" with nearly all of its original features and structure present.

Apparently, the City has done nothing to move in that direction.

This building, as noted in the HRE, is a rare surviving example of the industry that thrived in The Valley of Hearts Delight--which is what the area was known as before it became Silicon Valley--and, more importantly, right here in our town.

The building's symbolic and historical importance to the Chinese-American community is undeniable, and I hope that we no longer turn a blind eye to it.

At this point, having a vision for what it could be in the future is as important as what it has been in the past.

I believe the best use for this building, would be to transform it into an art center/artist colony (to encourage and support local artists to pursue their dreams and, in turn, to enrich us all). Many cities have repurposed similar historical building sites into vibrant and prosperous hubs of culture and art; I don't see any reason why Palo Alto couldn't do this.

At the same time, the wonderful history and contributions of Chinese-Americans in the early days of Palo Alto and Mayfield can be enshrined, commemorated, and celebrated throughout the complex. Perhaps even a small museum can be curated to be used as an educational platform.

The project could be called “Mayfield Cannery," or "Palo Alto Cannery," or simply “The Cannery.” It could include lofts, live-work spaces for artists and craftsmen, art galleries, a museum (perhaps a satellite for Canter or a larger museum), a restaurant, cafe, brewery, convention rooms, classrooms, or a variation on this theme. I think it could be a beautiful and exciting place for the community to enjoy. Outdoor festivals could be held. The proximity to the railroad station could draw tourists down from San Francisco and up from San Jose--giving them another destination other than Stanford University.

There are many successful examples of this type of repurposing around the world and here in the states.

Some examples:

TANNERY ARTS CENTER in Santa Cruz
https://www.tanneryartscenter.org

THE BREWERY ART COLONY in Los Angeles
https://www.kcet.org/history-society/the-brewery-art-colony-from-craft-beers-to-arts-and-crafts

BERGAMOT STATION in Santa Monica
https://bergamotstation.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergamot_(arts_center)

STANLEY MARKETPLACE in Colorado
http://stanleymarketplace.com

MARATHON VILLAGE in Nashville
https://www.marathonvillage.net/

https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2023/08/30/as-deal-over-frys-site-nears-finish-line-critics-lament-a-lost-opportunity

As deal over Fry's site nears finish line, critics lament a lost opportunity As Palo Alto nears a deal with The Sobrato Organization over the redevelopment of the former cannery building on Portage Avenue, some in the community are lamenting a lost opportunity to preserve history and revitalize Ventura.

We are urging you to support community advocates Terry Holzemer, Monica Yeung Arima and many others in their efforts to preserve the Cannery as a vital connection to Chinese and agricultural history here in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County and even the state of California. The Cannery finally made headlines in a local Chinese news outlet and the effort to preserve it is picking up steam. (Article below)

Terry Holzemer raised the $1500 to file an application with the city of Palo Alto to protect the site,.

This is a last ditch effort to rally history, culture and community preservationists to come together and save this historic resource.

How you can help, if you are moved to do so:

1) ***SPEAK AT THE CITY COUNCIL ON SEPT 5 APPROXIMATELY AT 7PM? 250 HAMILTON AVENUE, PALO ALTO.

2) HOLD A SIGN AT COUNCIL?

3) WRITE A LETTER TO COUNCIL AT [email protected]

4) YIELD YOUR SPEAKING TIME TO ANOTHER SPEAKER, if needed

You can speak either by Zoom or in person. It is more effective to be in person, if possible. Here is the Zoom Information for the city council meeting: https://cityofPaloAlto.zoom.us/j/362027238 or phone in: at 1(669)900-6833
You can find the Zoom info on the city council's agenda:

https://cityofpaloalto.primegov.com/Public/CompiledDocument?meetingTemplateId=13261&compileOutputType=1

More project information can be found at the project website: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/Departments/Planning-Development-Services/Current-Planning/Projects/200-Portage-Ave

Also we finally got some coverage outside of Palo Alto. See article below.

Thank you for reading!

Becky Sanders

https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121617/7406944?from=wj_good_index

Rough translation from the Chinese:

Residents Seek to Salvage the Old Factory Building of the Chinese "Asparagus King" and Call for the Preservation of Historical Sites
Reporter Xu Beibei/Palo Alto Report 2023-08-31 14:28 ET
The city of Palo Alto will soon finalize plans for a redevelopment of a factory building at 340 Portage Ave. However, behind this factory building is the history and years of Thomas Foon Chew*, a Chinese business tycoon in the Bay Area at the beginning of the last century. In the last century when the Chinese Exclusion Act was the most severe, Zhao Chan Yuan opened several factories in the Bay Area and owned the third largest canning factory in the United States at that time. He revolutionized asparagus canning technology and was known as the "King of Asparagus". He unfortunately died of pneumonia at the age of 41, and more than 25,000 people in Chinatown in San Francisco attended his funeral.
Terry Holzemer is a teacher in the Palo Alto School District. By chance, he read the book "Historic Bay Area Visionaries" by Robin Chapman, which records Zhao Chan Yuan's deeds . In the face of the city council's proposal to demolish the factory building and build 74 townhouses, he raised $1,500 on a crowdfunding website and applied to list the factory building as a historic site, exempting it from demolition.
"It's important to know Thomas Foon Chew, and unfortunately history has all but forgotten him. He should be recognized for what he accomplished in an environment of unimaginable racial prejudice and discrimination," Holzemer said. "We often forget this point, if our next generation forgets where they came from, it will be a great loss to the whole society."
Karen Holman, the former mayor of Palo Alto, said, "It is very important to have a physical historical site that everyone can visit. People will deepen their understanding of history because of the real firsthand experience. People would say, oh, this is where that and such and such happened. It is very important to preserve the historical relics that are within reach. Especially considering that Zhao Chan Yuan’s factory in Alviso is gone today.”
At present, the old canning factory site has passed the preliminary review and meets the standards of the California Historic Site Registration, but it still needs to pass the hearing of the Historic Resources Board in Palo Alto on September 14.
On the 5th of next month, the Palo Alto City Council will discuss the development agreement between the city government and Sobrato, which currently owns the factory building. If approved, 40 percent of the factories would be demolished to make way for 74 townhouses. The remaining factory buildings will be refurbished for commercial use.
What worries Holzemer and Holman is that once the council approves the development agreement and 40 percent of the building is demolished, the old cannery building will no longer qualify as a historic site. So, they hope that more people can attend the city council meeting on September 5, or write to the council, expressing their wishes to preserve the old canning factory building as a historic site.
Monica Yeung Arima, director of the Palo Alto City Museum of History, said: "Asian American history is not well documented, not well taught to our next generation, or even part of classroom programs. And the rise of hate crimes against Asians reminds us of the importance of history education.”
Yeung Wai Ping** said, "The Asian community is growing, and it is of great significance to preserve a historical site that can resonate with the Asian community. This historical site tells us that since a long time ago, we belong here."
*Chew’s official English name is “Thomas Foon Chew,” but his Chinese name is Zhao Chan Yuan.
**”Yeung Wai Ping” is Monica Yeung Arima’s Chinese name

加州巴市居民搶救華裔「蘆筍大王」舊廠房 籲保留歷史遺址 | 世界新聞網 巴洛阿圖市不久將最終決定位於340 Portage Ave一處廠房的重建計畫。然而這處廠房背後，卻是上世紀初灣區的一位華...

Thomas Foon Chew came to California in 1899, at the age of 10, during the era of the Chinese Exclusion Acts. When he died from pneumonia in San Jose in 1931, he was a multimillionaire. 25,000 people turned out to honor Mr. Chew in a memorial parade in San Francisco’s Chinatown, a worthy tribute to an American entrepreneur.

Mr. Chew's canneries in Alviso and Mayfield/Palo Alto were the third largest in the U.S. at the time. He was known for hiring workers from different ethnicities, providing housing and hot lunches for his laborers. People called him the "Asparagus King" after he invented new methods for canning asparagus.

Bay Side Cannery's facility in Mayfield/Palo Alto is now known to locals as "Fry's." Before that it was known as "Maximart" and "Sutter Packing." The building has housed many other businesses over the years and was the home of Palo Alto Cable Co-Op, which first brought cable television to Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton, East Palo Alto, Stanford and parts of unincorporated San Mateo County.

HISTORIC RESOURCE EVALUATION (HRE) of the old Bayside Cannery building (currently occupied by Fry’s and others) has concluded that the property, including the former cannery and an associated former office building is eligible for individual listing in the California Register at the local level of significance under Criterion 1 (Event) for its association with the history of the canning industry in Santa Clara County. The buildings retain integrity. Thus, the property appears to qualify as a historic resource for the purposes of review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Download report (PDF): https://bit.ly/30Dh42G

Some positive snippets:

Location: The subject property retains integrity of location because the former cannery and office buildings have not been moved since their construction.

Design: The subject property retains integrity of design. It retains a number of important exterior features that were essential to its function as a working cannery, including its original concrete loading docks and rear cooling porch with wood supports and an overarching shed awning. The prominent monitor and arched roofs, reinforced concrete walls, and interior wood truss ceilings and concrete floors remain intact and are visible evidence of its utilitarian, industrial design. The subject property retains its most important design features, including the division of interior spaces that represent the accretion of additions during its cannery use, and retains overall integrity of design.

Materials: The subject property retains integrity of materials… including its original reinforced concrete walls, concrete loading docks, wood post-and-beam construction, upper story wood frame windows, and corrugated metal cladding. Interior spaces also retain their original concrete floors and wood roof structures and supports, which, in some cases, also display their original finishes. The former office building also retains its essential material character, including wood lap siding, double-hung wood windows, a wood wraparound porch, and shingled roof. Based on the known record of alterations and overall scale of the individual buildings, the subject property appears to retain the majority of its key exterior materials dating from its period of use as a cannery.

Workmanship: The subject property retains integrity of workmanship. The skill and craftsmanship required to construct 340 Portage Avenue remain visible in its wood post-and-beam construction and exposed wood truss ceilings, most prominently its paired monitor roofs and four bowstring trusses. Horizontal markings and indentations on the building’s walls, particularly at the south end of the building, are evidence of the process of creating the building’s board formed, reinforced concrete walls.

Feeling: The subject property retains integrity of feeling. With its prominent monitor roofs, massive scale, and retention of recognizable industrial features and materials, such as corrugated metal and reinforced concrete walls, wood post-and-beam construction, and concrete loading docks and cooling porches, 340 Portage Avenue continues to convey its identity as an industrial building. Despite alterations to the building’s fenestration and setting, the building’s overall aesthetic and historic sense has been retained. Likewise, the building at 3201-3225 Ash Street also continues to convey the character of an early to mid-twentieth century office building, particularly in its orientation toward the cannery building, and retains its integrity of feeling.

Association: The subject property retains integrity of association. Through its industrial materials, design, workmanship, and feeling, the building at 340 Portage Avenue retains enough physical features to convey its historic character as a historic canning facility, dating from the early to mid-twentieth century. Likewise, the former office building retains enough elements of its original design, materials, workmanship, location, and feeling to convey its association with the cannery at the subject property.

Overall, the subject property retains integrity.

static1.squarespace.com

The Sobrato Organization plans to take advantage of Senate Bill 330 in its bid to build 85 townhomes in a sprawling area of Palo Alto that was recently occupied by Fry's Electronics.

Not sure this can be stopped.

Sobroto is one of the biggest developers in the State, they built Facebook headquarters and the Googleplex.

Sobrato pitches townhome project at former site of Fry's Electronics The Sobrato Organization's new proposal for 85 townhouses in a place long considered as a prime opportunity zone may constrain dreams for new housing, parkland and community amenities.

Americans love an underdog. This is the story of a young immigrant who became a visionary entrepreneur and created the third largest canning company in America (behind Del Monte and Libby). His business savvy made him a multi-millionaire and the richest Chinese-American in California at a time when Chinese were being savagely discriminated against. Most were not allowed to manage a business, much less own one. And while other canneries hired whites almost exclusively, Chew hired a diverse employee base which included Portuguese, Filipinos, Japanese, and Chinese.

Lets investigate Tom Foon's story and learn together! Welcome to The Cannery of Palo Alto page.

Dr. Gloria Hom shares the remarkable life story of her grandfather, Thomas Foon Chew, who was a very successful Chinese-American businessman during the early 20th Century, in the Chinese Exclusion Act period in California. Settling in the South Bay, he became a cannery magnate, starting and developing Bayside Cannery, the third largest cannery in the US.

Dr. Gloria Hom is a fourth-generation Californian who has spent her life in pursuit of the best for her family and community. She is an economist, professor, lecturer, businesswoman, community leader and administrator with extensive civic and community involvement.

Presented on March 31, 2019 at Rinconada Library in Palo Alto, California.

Here's a group of employees at Bayside Cannery (former home of Maximart & more recently, Fry's), Mayfield, September 23, 1918. The Chinese American owned cannery opened for business on July 16, 1918, with 350 people canning apricots. By August the cannery was still frantically recruiting local women to cut pears, via ads in local papers. A free bus to and from the cannery picked up workers at “Redwood” at 6:20 a.m. and at “University Gate on the State Highway” (Palm Dr. & El Camino Rl.) at 6:30 a.m. A majority of the cannery workers were women, mostly Portuguese and Chinese immigrants.

Employment, of course, varied by the season and the size of the crops. Newspaper stories provide snapshots from different years. In 1934, there were 30–35 “permanent” (year-round) workers in the office, mechanical, and shipping departments. For canning spinach in the spring, there were 350–375 temp workers for 20 days in 1933. For the peak season in August during the World War II years of 1942–45, there were up to 1500 temps.

During the war years, the cannery frequently ran ads seeking from 50 to 400 workers on an urgent basis to handle expected crops. In 1946, 1,000 employees were expected to vote in a union election, but the actual work force was certainly higher.

In 1949, when the cannery was closed, it was estimated that Palo Alto would lose “a million dollar payroll” (which probably translates to 1,000 or more workers). This would be the equivalent of nearly $20 million today. It was the largest employer in Palo Alto at that time.

[Barron Park Assoc.]

Palo Alto Online story from August 2019.

History of Fry's site could hinder redevelopment | August 2, 2019 | Palo Alto Weekly | Palo Alto Online | Chew, who owned the Bayside Canning Company in Alviso, purchased the 4-acre parcel in what was then the town of Mayfield in April 1918. By July, he had constructed and began operating a cannery that within a year also included 19 houses for employees and a large new warehouse. With a spur of the rai...

Old cannery in North Carolina being converted into multi-use center. Story from January 2018.

Old cannery becoming a multi-use center in Seagrove SEAGROVE, N.C. — The former Luck’s Cannery in Seagrove is massive. It covers five acres of land and measures 90,000 square feet. And most importantly, Luck’s Cannery holds a lot o…