Galt has lost two historic homes. The first was the Angrave home on the southeast corner of 6th and C Streets. The second, was the Schermerhorn farm house on the northeast corner of Lincoln Way and Elm Street. Granted, neither of these homes were Victorian mansions, but they were a part of our history, and they are now gone. Only an old rambling rose blooms on the fence of the Schermerhorn yard to remind us that this was once a pioneer family's home site.
This is the way we have lost so many of our historic old homes. First, they fall into disrepair and neglect, then, they become eyesores and are torn down. We need to encourage those who own historic home sites to repair and restore them so that they can remain as valuable reminders of Galt's past.
Recently, a home on the corner of B and 7th Streets has been stripped of its outer walls, and underneath we can now see what once was the livery stable owned by Cleo McFarland, Mollring's father. It's a piece' of history, to be sure. What are the plans for it? We don't know as yet. That is up to the owner.
Do you live or work in a historic structure? Do you know how to find out if your home or business is in a site" designated by the City of Galt as a local landmark? You can find out about your property by calling the Historical Society, (209) 745-0951, and we will check out the history of your building, or you can read the "Historic Element" of the Galt Master Plan, available at the Marian 0. Lawrence Library, and see a list of historic sites and a map where they can be found. If you wish, you may call the Galt City Planning Department and ask them for information as well.
To see what can be done to restore an old home, drive by the old Brewster Home on the southwest corner of 5th and B Streets. The owners are to be congratulated on their restoration efforts that have made one of the few remaining Victorian homes in Galt come alive again. It takes time, effort, and funds to do a project of this magnitude, but it's well worth it.
We'd like to see our community become more historic-preservation minded, then maybe we won't lose so many historic structures unnecessarily. This has to be a Community effort if we are to succeed in preserving our history. We have very few historic structures left, so all the effort must be made to save what we can for the future before it is too late.
Galt Area Historical Society Home page
Last edited 27 Feb, 2005