In conjunction with National Preservation Month each May, Napa County Landmarks releases an annual list of Ten Threatened Treasures. Though we have publicized our list of the most significant threatened buildings and structures in Napa County for at least a decade, in 2011 we had professional photographer Robb McDonough document the buildings. Over the summer we have had several hundred visitors view the exhibit, which is scheduled to close in the coming weeks. We also invited the public to vote on which threatened local historic buildings they think are most important. Well over 200 people voted, and though there were many buildings that people added to the list, the voters overwhelmingly supported Landmarks' top choices.

 The Stone Arch Bridges of Napa County won the 2011 people's choice for Landmarks' most Threatened Treasure. By 1914 more than 326 stone bridges and culverts had been erected in Napa County which was known as the “County of the Stone Bridge”. Though stone bridges were rare in California, they became quite common in Napa due to settlers that brought knowledge of stone masonry construction to the Napa Valley, ready access to stone, and availability of cheap labor. For these practical reasons, as well as the desire of county leadership to leave a lasting legacy, we are the beneficiaries of these beautiful stone structures. Unfortunately only a few remain. 

Second place in the voting is the Cayetano Juarez Adobe. The Old Adobe is the only extant building from the 1840-50s in the City of Napa. Since the photographs were taken a new restaurant, Taste of the Himalayas, has taken over the property. Landmarks hopes that they will be good stewards of this precious building and reverse some of the decline of the last several years.