City to Renovate Historic Stone Barn

The city of Glendale hopes to have renovation work completed on the Le Mesnager Barn in Deukmejian Park by 2006, according to a recent report to the City Council.

The stone barn, a part of a winery that operated in La Crescenta before Prohibition, has been designated an historic monument and planned for renovation and rehabilitation.

The city has obtained grants totaling $495,000 to seismically strengthen the structure, and hopes to receive an additional $1.3 million from the state to complete the project.

"We have an agreement with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy fort the funds," City Manager James Starbird told the council.

He explained the project was postponed two years to allow the conservancy to participate in the purchase of the Oakmont V property in the Verdugo Mountains.

George Le Mesnager, a French emigrant, acquired the property in 1876. He planted grapes on the site, and his son Louis established the Los Angeles Winery after the senior Le Mesnager returned to France at age 65 to fight in World War I.

Prohibition ended winemaking in 1920, but the winery was revived when Prohibition was repealed in 1933. The barn burned in 1933 and was later restored and used as a residence by the family until 1960.

The property was purchased by the city in 1988, and a park was established honoring former governor George Deukmejian.

The barn is listed in the roster of Glendale historical places.

The park is being restored as a wilderness center for use by hikers and youth groups. The eventual plan is for the barn to be a visitor center, meeting hall and classroom.

-Charles Cooper