24-MAY-2009
California's historical site
This underground property is still owned by the Forestiere family.
This is what it said on the plaque:
"Forestiere Underground Garden
Here beneath the hot arid surface o fthe San Joaquin Valley Baldassare Forestiere (1879-1946) began in the early 1900's to sculpt a fantastic retreat excavating the hardpan by hand, he created a unique complex of underground rooms, passages and gardens which is being preserved as a living monument to a creative and individualistic spirit unbounded by conventionality.
California registered historical landmark No. 916.
Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Rick FOrestiere family, October 12, 1979."
24-MAY-2009
Entrance
Visitors are put into guided tour in small groups.
24-MAY-2009
Pricing as of May 24, 2009
The tour was about 45-60 minutes but it was well worth it just to see, to understand and to absorb a good lesson in life: how many people in this world can maintain a determination for 40 years, day after day? That was how long it took Mr Forestiere to dig and build his underground heaven, with only shovel, axe and wheelbarrow.
24-MAY-2009
Walkway to underground entrance
The weather was about 85 degree F under the sun and the temperature must drop at least 20 degree while walking under the cool green plants.
24-MAY-2009
Main entrance
There are many entrances throughout the underground garden. This is 1 of the many that started going down for more than 10 feet. It was about 85 degree F outside and it was incredibly cool underground. That was why Mr Forestiere started to dig and lived down here. Summer in Fresno can be brutal with temperature up to 120 degree F (48.8 degree C). Especially without air conditioning back then in the early 1900s'.
24-MAY-2009
Underground court yard
The underground court yard has round open-air skylight where sun light and rain make the trees and garden grown. The rooms & passages were all over 6 feet tall. Cool fresh air was circulated naturally and it was truly heaven in the hot summer days.
24-MAY-2009
Underground water well
Mr Forestiere lived down here so he had his own water well underground for cooking and shower.
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Underground passage ways...
There were something like 50 rooms connected by these passage ways. One can get lost down here.
24-MAY-2009
Different view of another underground open court yard
24-MAY-2009
Skylight
Looking up from 1 of the many open skylights underground. In the rainy seasons, Mr Forestiere put a piece of glass on top to shield the excessive water.
