Who and What is the Coalition? 

Community members in the Aptos Hills/Day Valley area of Aptos have formed a 'Coalition' to facilitate the completion of the Valencia Hall and Post Office restoration process. The Coalition is concerned about the imminent loss of the last two remnants of Frederick Hihn's logging community of Valencia, Valencia Hall and the Valencia Post Office. Built by Hihn in the early 1880's at the corner of Valencia and Bear Valley Roads, these historic buildings have survived the ravages of time, fire, floods and earthquakes. The Coalition is concerned the community is about to lose them if not to a natural disaster, then to the county bureaucracy. 

Many members of the Coalition have been involved in the restoration process of Valencia Hall since the early 1980's. Over the years as community members they have put a lot of sweat equity into Valencia Hall and the old Post Office. With the help of volunteer labor, Valencia Hall received a new roof and drain spouts in December, 1983. In addition volunteer labor was obtained to upgrade the building's electrical wiring. 

Day Valley 4-H Hall Clean-up - 1980

In 1984 Valencia Hall was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and shortly thereafter Historic Preservation funds were received for the specific purpose of restoring this historic building. In 1987, a community lobbying effort was successful in having the county purchase the property across Bear Valley, initially to allow for parking & later for use as the new home of the hall. 

In 1991, members of Aptos Neighbors Association and other community members removed the back addition of the Valencia old 'Post Office and assisted in its relocation across Valencia Road. The building had been severely damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and had been donated to the Santa Cruz County Parks Department for inclusion in the Valencia Park Complex.

Funds have been allocated as early as 1980 for the restoration of these historic buildings. The funds have not been used and the buildings continue to decay. Although the Coalition does not have exact funding information, it appears that approximately $400,000 was available for the restoration of these buildings in May, 1995. 

In June, 1995, the Board of Supervisors reallocated $200,000+ of this amount to the Polo Grounds Entrance Road and Parking Area, leaving the restoration process severely wounded. Both Valencia Hall and the Valencia Post Office were donated to this county in good faith in order to preserve the history of this area. The Coalition believes it is the obligation of the community and the County who accepted these buildings to care for them and to preserve them. 

The Coalition is dedicated to this project and is hopeful that with support from other community organizations, the director of Parks, Open Space and Cultural Services, and with the support of the Board of Supervisors they can facilitate the completion of the restoration of Valencia Hall and Post Office without delay. The enclosed information was delivered to the Board of Supervisors on June 11, 1996. The Coalition is seeking funding in the 1996/97 County of Santa Cruz budget.