San Luis Obispo Octagon Barn

It was built in 1906 by Henri LaFranchi, a young Italian-Swiss immigrant and the owner of a small meat market, John Damaso, an Azorean immigrant and a carpenter by trade, and a third, unknown man identified only as a “milk farmer.” Since there were no other octagonal barns in the area, the builders may have worked from patterns of octagonal construction in farm journals or catalogs.

It had a pasteurization and bottling plant at 719 Higuera Street and made daily milk deliveries throughout the city of San Luis Obispo.

The property was purchased in 1994 by John and Howard Hayashi, who three years later entered into a lease agreement with the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County.

It will host events such as fundraisers, dances, movies, music performances, weddings, family reunions, and festival-connected activities.

A windmill, a small restored wetland, photovoltaic power, parking for over 100 cars and landscaping with hundreds of trees are planned.