My uncle from Ohio had been visiting for a couple of weeks, so I've done some touristy Fresno things lately -- we did a tour of the Meux Home and went to the Japanese Garden in Woodward Park.
But one thing I mentioned on my Facebook page that drew a lot of interest from others was something that I had never done before, even though I've lived here for 31 years -- the Forestiere Underground Garden near Shaw Avenue and Freeway 99. And many of the people who commented were curious because they'd never been there either.
So, since so many inquiring minds want to know about it, I'd say you should definitely put this on your to-do list, whether you have company, or just to see it for yourself. Anyone who's ever tried to plant a tomato in their backyard hard pan should have respect for what Sicilian immigrant Baldassare Forestiere did on his 80 acres with just a shovel, pick axe and a wheelbarrow.
Forestiere's Underground Gardens are a hidden oasis underground, an escape from the excessive heat we face here every summer. But if you think of caverns as being dark and dank, think again. These aren't called gardens for nothing.
Plant life thrives throughout the caverns, from citrus varieties like oranges, lemons, grapefruits -- many on a single tree -- to grapes, kumquats, carob, herbs and typical garden vegetables. Aboveground, beautiful roses of many colors line the walkway.
One friend said this: "I'm afraid I'd be too clastrophobic, so tell me if you feel closed in..."
Not at all! Forestiere incorporated skylights throughout, to make use of the natural light. It feels more like a Meditarrean garden than what you would imagine caverns to be like. There was one passageway we went down during the 50-minute tour that was a little dark and confined, but we were through it in probably 5 seconds.
Forestiere planted citrus trees underground -- many of the original trees and some grapevines are still growing more than 100 years later -- so when harvest time came, he could go up to ground level and reach the fruit without needing a ladder.
In 2007, Bee reporter Paula Lloyd wrote this about the site's history in her "Ask Me" column:
Baldassare Forestiere came to Fresno in the early 1900s from his native Sicily to grow citrus. But after discovering his land near Shaw and Cornelia avenues was worthless for agriculture, and to find refuge from Fresno's summer heat, in 1906 Forestiere began digging a maze of underground caverns.Forestiere dug by hand, using a pick, shovel and wheelbarrow. By 1923 he had excavated more than 10 acres of connecting tunnels, rooms, patios and his living quarters. The construction of Highway 99 and other buildings destroyed about one-third of Forestiere's caverns in the mid-20th century.
At various times over the years, the caverns have been closed to the public for renovations and repair. And a family dispute over the property kept the gardens closed from 1986-1993. My dad said that he tried to visit once before he moved away to Atlanta, but couldn't because they weren't doing tours then.
But they are open now, so if you haven't seen it yet, you should take advantage of this window of opportunity. This website lists times and admission prices for tours.
If you want to see some of the photos I took on my visit, here's a link to my album on my Facebook page.
You know Lisa, I've been meaning to go see that myself. I sympathize with you trying to find something to take your uncle to in this town. I always do the Yosemite run. One of California's many jewels. Don't let him go back to Ohio thinking California's highlight is an underground garden.
I couldn't see your pictures because it wants a log in. I don't have a Facebook or Myspace account.
I agree that the underground gardens are definitely worth visiting. My family was enchanted by them on a visit several years ago.
I believe One of Fresno's registered National Landmark's. It is well worth the visit.
Scot, he's been to Yosemite on many trips to visit here, and also Kings Canyon/Sequoia. We've taken them to San Francisco, missions and on this trip, the Monterey Aquarium. We just tried to find a few local treasures that they hadn't experienced yet.
A ride through the Tower District is an interesting journey back to the time of Art Deco and Youth Style period in residential architecture. Millerton Lake, now practically full is a very impressive sight. My visitors enjoyed the ride from Dunlap up and then over into the Park where we visited the Crystal Caves. Then we took them for a white knuckle ride up Black Rock over to Dinky Creek. The blooming fields (grown for seeds) on the way to San Juan Bautista were a visual orgy to behold. And what about the Crest Theater and its unusual organ. And then there is that hole in the ground in the Kings River Canyon. I did not go in. I think all in all we did not go sightseeing as such but went on short trips that offered a lot to see.
You used to be able to drive up to the top of Pine Flat Dam and walk all the way across the dam. That was a pretty impressive sight. The last few times I was out there, though, the road to to top was closed, probably due to exaggerated terrorism fears after 9/11. Is there any chance it (and the Friant Dam visitor area) will re-open?
OK good. Whew......I can sleep now. ;)
How's the Monterey Bay Aquarium? I'd like to take the kids there too. What about it is "must see" and what is "can be missed if you're running out of time?"
I visited the Forestiere Underground Gardens when I was a kid. That was 30+ years ago and I still remember how remarkably cool it was even though it was the middle of summer. Great idea that was executed in a lovely way. We are cutting way back this summer. After bantering with the kids discussing how none of us have truly had to suffer, even when times got hard, we decided to experiment to see how the folks lived 100 years ago without air conditioning. A little history lesson that will save us tons of money. We all dared each other to do it and see who will break first. It has actually been fun finding creative ways to stay cool. After that 106 day today though I'm thinking we may just start digging our own underground house. All of us are too stubborn to give in and lose the bet. I think another trip to the Gardens are in order to further this lesson in history. If it's as cool as I remember, we may be frequent visitors.
I tried to go it without the air conditioner. I almost passed out. I guess my cardiac pacemaker is not made for such temperatures (just kidding).
Kim, here's a little history that might help. There's a few theories on how they cooled homes through history and how the swamp cooler was developed. The swamp cooler (or evaporative cooler) is simple. As water evaporates, it absorbs heat. It has a fan that pulls hot, dry air through water-dampened mats. The moving air evaporates the water, cooling the air.
It's believed that Egyptians were probably the first to discover that hot, dry breezes became moist and cool as they blew through dampened mats or past porous clay pots full of water.
I've also heard stories about people in Arizona in the early part of the 20th century hanging sheets around their porches and over open windows and keeping them wet so the breeze and the wet sheet cools the house. Some people sight this as the foundation to the concept of the swamp cooler which is believed to have been developed around the 20s and 30s.
Hope that sparks some ideas.