L.A. Avenue's oldest building takes its place at historical park
Bañaga barbershop makes final move to Strathearn
By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers LANDMARK- The old Simi Valley Barbershop, once owned and operated by lifelong resident Manuel Banaga, was relocated Monday to Strathearn Historical Park to be preserved for future generations.

As soon as members of the Simi Valley Historical Society began work on a master plan for Strathearn Historical Park, they knew it had to include Manuel Bañaga Jr.'s Simi Valley Barbershop- - the tiny wooden building that for more than 50 years was the social hub of Simi's Old Colonia.

On Monday, the place where so many residents went to change their look got a change of scenery of its own. A diesel-fueled pickup truck and a flatbed trailer were all that was required to relocate the building from its old location- an awkward fit between Midas and Bob's Transmission- to its site at Strathearn.

The move was made possible seven months ago thanks to a donation from a private resident and the cooperation of the park district and City Council. City historian Pat Havens was on hand for the occasion.

"One of our board members, Richard Johnson, helped hook it up and move it out of there," Havens said of the move. "It was really amazing. They got down here (to the park) faster than I could get here in my car and I was trying to beat them."

According to Havens, the historical society's main reason for including the building, which also once housed Dora Beach's general store and a chiropractic office, was obvious: It dates back nearly 100 years; citrus orchards and coastal live oak trees were all that once surrounded it.

"It's one of the last buildings left from our old so-called downtown," Havens said. "It's the only thing that's always been on L.A. Avenue as a link to the past."

Armando Monson, a fifthgeneration Simi Valley resident and family friend of Bañaga's, donated the building to the park district last September in exchange for permission from the city to set up a temporary building on the property.

At that time, he told The Acorn, "Everyone in the community got their hair cut there. That barbershop belongs to the city and residents of Simi Valley."

With the park district still finishing up its restoration of St. Rose of Lima Church- relocated (with great difficulty) to the historical park four years ago- work on the old Bañaga shop won't get started for awhile.

But when restoration does begin, efforts will be made to get the finished product as close to the original as possible, said Ed Hayduk, park district general manager.

"We'll look at original photos, as well as hire a preservation consultant to oversee the design," Hayduk said.

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to come by and see the old Simi Valley Barbershop- which opened in 1957 and closed in 2006- in its current state.

With the addition of the barbershop the master plan for the historical park is one step away from completion. A space is still being held for a future gift- - the Printz Colony House- - which, according to Havens, is being preserved by the current owner on Pacific Avenue.

Strathearn Park and Museum is at 137 Strathearn Place. Call the park office at 5266453 for further information.