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1897 Note the Shinn barn in the background behind the redwood "hedge.
1977 The barn burned due to suspected arson on September 30, 1977. The Napoleon's willow also burned.
The Shinn barn before it burned down. Note the Napoleon's willow to the right. There is a story here that will be added. In the 23 Jan 1930 Washington Township News Register Mrs Whipple wrote about an article that Charles Shinn had written about the "Mount Vernon Willows" (n.d.). The Napoleon Willow was a frequently planted tree in the US!
Antiques from the California Nursery Company and the Harvey House were stored in the barn. It is unknown what was lost. Notice that we are looking at the "China Camp" on the right side of the barn.
You can see the "Chinese Camp" on this un-dated map of the park, bottom right. Allen Shinn said that it was never called a "Chinese Camp." However, that is a generic term for groups of rustic farm buildings used for dwellings, cooking, and business. The "China House" was the main house. The "Chicken Coop" was probably a Cook House at one time. The map predates 1977.
Also note that the Foreman's Cottage was moved off the Hayward Fault and is now resting atop the old location of the China Camp. The apricot orchard is where it was formerly located.
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