LAKE COUNTY ? On July 29 a piece of Lake County history was moved down the road.
The Ely Stage Stop crossed Highway 29 and now sits on a parcel, perched on a hill, on Soda Bay Road.
Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum Chairman Greg Dills said the landmark building is considered one of the oldest stick-built buildings in Lake County, as it dates back to the late 1850s.
The carefully renovated building will be operated by the Lake County Historical Society.
“The Historical Society is working on the barns and exhibits that will feature blacksmithing tools, rare tractors, some of which are the only few left in existence. There will be all kinds of Lake County history including; Native American to early pioneer, Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely said.
The Ely Stage Stop will serve as a museum boasting historical and agricultural aspects of Lake County history. A planned amphitheater on the property will host concerts and shows. “We plan to have a working blacksmith shop as well as a visitor center. Interactive museum events are features all in the works as well,” Seely said.
Andy Beckstoffer of Beckstoffer Vineyards donated the building and five-acre parcel of land for the Ely Stage Stop project to the County of Lake.
In August the project got a boost when $100,000 was donated by the Kettenhofen Family Foundation.
Seely said, “We are moving forward with the barn construction phase and exhibits. Any volunteers are welcome, from somebody with a bulldozer to people who can create window coverings for the historic windows.” He said it”s an ongoing effort that will continue to evolve to meet the needs of sharing Lake County history.”
Dills is seeking information from those who have memories of the Ely Stage Stop, memorabilia, artifacts or photos of the building.
Additionally Dills said that the Ely Stage Stop serves to create an historical destination for Lake County.
To contribute to the Ely Stage Stop project contact Greg Dills at 263-4180, extension 12. E-mail elystagestop@yahoo.com or write to the Lake County Historical Society at P.O. Box 1011, Lakeport, Calif. 95453.
Mandy Feder can be reached at mfeder@record-bee.com or call directly 263-5636 ext.32.
