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SOHO's Dedication to San Diego’s Adobe Legacy
Santa Ysabel Store
30275 Highway 78, Santa Ysabel
November/December 2024
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In 2011, alerted to the possible redevelopment and loss of the Santa Ysabel Store, SOHO launched its Revolving Fund Preservation Program by purchasing the 1884 adobe landmark, the last remaining false-front adobe store in San Diego County. SOHO committed to an extensive restoration, recreating lost architectural details such as the store’s cornice and historic painted signage, missing windows, large sliding doors, and a loading dock. SOHO also pledged to make sure that the property and its barn were designated as county historic sites. With dedicated SOHO staff and hundreds of volunteer and contractor hours, we achieved our ultimate goal: an exacting restoration.
SOHO made the strategic decision to operate the Santa Ysabel Store ourselves as a general store and community hub. The store served as a backcountry visitor center, promoted the nearby Warner-Carrillo Ranch House, and helped raise awareness in the region of SOHO's mission.
Running the store as a business brought varying levels of financial success, but, most importantly. it fulfilled SOHO’s broader mission of community engagement and preservation awareness. The relationships built with residents, historical societies, and stakeholders remain a lasting legacy of the project.
By 2022, SOHO had successfully operated the store for a decade and achieved its preservation goals. SOHO then fulfilled the next phase of the Revolving Fund Program: selling the property at a profit in order to underwrite other restoration projects.
While SOHO took great pride in restoring and running the store, it was always part of the plan to pass the torch to new stewards once the restoration was complete and the store and adjacent historic barn stabilized. The sale of these properties marked a triumphant conclusion to SOHO’s first Revolving Fund project.
Unfortunately, since the sale, the new owners have not upheld the public trust, reversing important restoration details. Nevertheless, SOHO’s dedication to this important backcountry site demonstrated the powerful impact of historic preservation and remains a legacy of our community commitment and stewardship.
Further Reading
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