The fight to preserve Gilbert's historic Clare House has reached a critical juncture, as the deadline to raise necessary funds has been extended slightly beyond the original July 15 cutoff. The structure, which has served multiple purposes over its lifetime including a coffee shop and a sheet metal factory, now faces the threat of demolition to make room for a new Bottled Blonde nightclub location.
Built in 1918 and a witness to Gilbert's transformations, the Clare House is a tangible remnant of the past, the Clare House has donned many hats throughout the century, as a business and a home embodying, many say, the essence of the town's bygone eras. Casey Kendal, Redevelopment Commission Chair for the Town of Gilbert, has been rallying support, stating "If everyone in Gilbert donated a dollar, we would have well over our goal and so that is really what our message is," in a recent statement obtained by AZFamily.com. Efforts have been made to raise the $135,000 needed not only for the building's relocation but also for restoration and repairs which would allow it to serve as an educational exhibit at the Gilbert Historical Museum.
Despite the developer's willingness to contribute the cost equivalent of the demolition toward the Clare House's salvation, fundraisers still face a daunting financial gap, according to 12News. As of the last report, only $23,000 has been raised of the necessary funds Kendal highlighted the urgency of meeting the rest of this sum stating, "At some point, their project does need to move forward, and they will be breaking ground," highlighting the temporal pressures faced to preserve this piece of Gilbert's historical fabric.
Community efforts are being championed by individuals like Julia Taggart, president of the Sunnyslope Historical Society, who despite not being directly linked to Gilbert, recognizes the universal value of such heritage, "I think people should care about the Clare House because we are never going to find another building like this again," she said in a statement obtained by AZFamily.com; it is not just Gilbert's history at stake, but also the broader narrative of Arizona's architectural and cultural milestones, which once gone, may leave an irreplaceable void in the local community's heart and landscape.
Those wishing to contribute to the cause of saving the Clare House, a 106-year-old reminder of Gilbert's simpler times, before its slated demise on August 1, are encouraged to visit the donation page set up by the Gilbert Historical Museum and specify that their donation should go toward #SaveTheClare2024.
