San Ramon's oldest building, the historic Harlan House, fell victim to a destructive fire on Wednesday morning, with the blaze causing severe damage to the structure that dates back to the Gold Rush era. According to a social media post from the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District, firefighters arrived to find the well-involved structure on San Ramon Valley Boulevard. Efforts were made to rapidly contain the fire, preventing it from spreading to nearby vegetation and structures.
Sohail Siddiqi, the current owner of the house, had hoped to integrate the building into a new assisted living facility, but these plans have hit bureaucratic roadblocks. "Unfortunately, the whole process has been dragging along," Siddiqi told CBS News Bay Area. No one was injured, but the fire extensively damaged the roof, attic, and interior.
The origins of the Harlan House, also known as El Nido House, trace back to 1852 when Joel and Minerva Fowler Harlan built the home with income from gold prospecting. Initially, the residence on the Alameda-Contra Costa county line was moved in 1858 to avoid dual property tax billing. The Contra Costa County Historical Society and The Harlan Family in America shared this historical detail. The home was named "El Nido," meaning "the nest," a likely homage to the Harlan's nine children.
Arson is suspected, and the San Ramon Valley Fire District and the San Ramon Police Department are investigating. "They have some, a few people of interest. They are talking to them, they are investigating," Siddiqi disclosed in his interview with CBS News Bay Area. With the structure now severely compromised, Saddiqi expressed uncertainty over whether it could be restored or if a replica would have to be built.
