Little Town, Big Charm
UPPER LAKE – Old-fashioned charm abounds in Upper Lake, where people know each other by name, and country music wafts underneath swaying bright red signs that community efforts helped pay for as part of a redevelopment plan that has earmarked $2 million to revitalize the town.
The money will build an arch to attract passing vehicles and tourists and is part of a community based effort that involves county officials, local Upper Lake committees, and planning with Cal-trans to slow down traffic on adjacent Highway 20.
About 5 years ago, the town was very different, with boarded-up windows, peeling paint, and buildings crumbling due to the voracious munching of wood beetles.
Then the town went under a sort of revival, which proved to be a good thing because of its historic significance. The first town in Lake County, Upper Lake was founded in 1854, when it was a mecca for San Francisco tourists, who vacationed on Clear Lake in an era when that lake took the No. 1 spot over Tahoe, according to local business owner Lynda Powell, of Powell”s Antiques and the Garden Patch.
“That”s why so many people in the county are so supportive, because when their ancestors first came to Lake County it was to Upper Lake. Everybody”s really happy that Upper Lake is finally happening,” said Powell.
Powell said that when she and community members first approached the county seven years ago about redevelopment funds, “they were just open arms,” and that while plans have been under way for some time, they have been waiting for three years for PG&E to take down all of the utility poles before the arch, new cobblestone sidewalks, and old-fashioned street lights can be built.
Eric Seely of the Lake County Redevelopment Agency said he sent off an e-mail Monday to ask PG&E about the status of the project.
“They”ve been saying it will be the third or the fourth quarter that they”ll start undergrounding the utility poles, but it”s obvious it”s not the third, because that starts in July,” said Seely. “This project could start in the spring of ”08 if they get it done.”
Seely said that the $2 million will cover improvements to drainage, street surfaces, as well as build lights, add landscaping, and cobblestone crosswalks or sidewalks, but that time is of the essence when considering how far the money will stretch.
“Essentially the money is set aside, but the delays can increase costs, and we could have to remove objects to the plan to keep it at $2 million,” said Seely.
Hearing about the promised funds has been a huge draw to new businesses searching for the perfect spot. Although roving off the beaten path of Highway 20 may have proved too tedious for tourists for the better half of the last century, that is exactly part of its appeal now, locals say.
Local business owner Christian Hackshaw of the recently opened Lake County Wine Studio in downtown Upper Lake said they opened their wine co-op of five local wineries across from The Tallman Hotel, because it, along with the recent improvements, “is a shining example of what is happening to Upper Lake, and brings a lot of visitors into the area,” he said.
“We searched for some time to find a great location for our wine studio and chose Upper Lake for a number of reasons We were happy to see the recent development and promise of development funds slated to upgrade the town,” said Hackshaw.
Tom Carter, owner of TnC supply located in the original First Bank building, and owner of a coffee shop, Holy Joe”s Coffee, set to open across the street, said the locals are putting all their efforts into the community. “Who knows if we”ll make money,” said Carter. “It”s more about making sure the community stays alive.”
Nine new businesses have put down roots within the past year alone, which was previously unheard of for this small, country town. Also, a fa?ade-improvement program that helped restore the Old Barn on the corner of First and Main Streets could offer even more to the community.
“In a couple of weeks it will go before the Board of Supervisors to work out details so that the fa?ade improvement program could offer grants on a match basis,” said Seely. He added that such a program would help property owners build an old-fashioned fa?ade to enhance their business and go with the theme of the town, rather than just look at the design blueprints and dream.
According to Powell, in order for Upper Lake to be a viable downtown there needs to be seven retail businesses and three restaurants, and for the first time in recent years that goal will be met. She added that the draw for business is a direct result of community fund-raising and redevelopment money that have significantly improved the looks of the town.
“That will continue with locals putting in hours upon hours volunteering for beautification and preservation projects,” said Powell, adding that if locals want to check out what”s happening, they should come to a Thursday Night Flea Market, which will happen July 5, and August 30 this summer in downtown Upper Lake.
Funds from the markets will help pay for a historic walking tour program, which will guide visitors from one historic building to the next, about 14 of them, as they meander through Upper Lake and learn its rich history.
“Everybody”s come together, it just comes from the heart and the shared goal of seeing this history preserved,” said Powell.
