Old Isn't Historic

 

Thomas Foon Chew was at one time the wealthiest Chinese American in California and, undoubtedly, one of the wealthiest Chinese immigrants in the nation. Despite laws barring Asians from owning property in California, in 1918 Foon (he preferred that name)  obtained four acres of land in Palo Alto, California and created Bayside Canning Company. 

Foon's success resulted from not only business savvy but common sense because what is now Silicon Valley was once known as "The Valley of the Heart's Delight," a lush spread of agricultural land producing a panoply of fruits and vegetables. 

At his death in 1932 Foon's funeral parade ran along Grant Street in San Francisco, the heart of the largest Chinese community in the West and was watched by 25,000 people. He was important to many people in many ways. 

The current owner of the Palo Alto property wants to tear down the empty Foon building and construct houses. And that has created a bigger controversy than a Chinese man actually owning real estate ever did.

One camp argues tearing down the old building -- which hasn't housed the cannery in 82 years -- would desecrate an historic site, particularly since Foon was not only wealthy but overcame discrimination to succeed. Surely, they argue, at least the basic design could be preserved as a reminder of the original. 

Others contend the empty 100,000-square-foot building is ugly and useless as it stands. Housing is badly needed. There are far better ways to honor Foon's contribution to the community than preserving a decrepit structure. 

That this debate rages (if anything can rage in Palo Alto) is the result of people confusing 'old' with 'historic.' 

Nothing historic ever occurred at Bayside Canning. Although it employed thousands of people over the years and sent untold tons of food around the nation, it only operated for 23 years. Foon also ran a larger facility about 30 miles south of Palo Alto in the Alviso district. People were more exercised when Fry's Electronics closed itss store in the Palo Alto cannery building than when the packing lines stopped. 

In the 37 years I've lived in Palo Alto I have never heard of any movement to honor Foon. Only when someone proposed tearing down something old did people opposed to housing growth different than single family homes seize upon the age of the Bayside Canning building as ammunition in its war to stifle change. 

My home was built in 1926 about a half-mile from Bayside Canning. It contains features that reflect design trends of the era. Visitors frequently describe it as charming. I have lived in it far longer than Bayside Canning operated. I am sure that the next owner will raze it and build a larger, taller replacement with plenty of room for a family. 

I am also certain that no one will rise up to demand the distinctively shaped front window be preserved or the roof of the new house be flat with tile around the edges or the preservation of any other element reminiscent of the current structure. 

That scenario is fine by me. Being old doesn't necessarily mean someone is wise. Being old doesn't necessarily make a building historic. Sometimes the best contribution of an old person or an old building can offer is to get out of the way and let the future happen.