Big Fresno Fair to become home of Fresno courthouse museum

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- April 7, 1966. To many longtime Fresno residents the day demolition started on the 90-year-old Fresno County Courthouse is a day that will live in infamy.

Former Fresno City Clerk Jackie Ryle was among those who witnessed the building's death. "We watched them, it took three weeks to bring down that dome and we felt every blow. We cried, we did. This was a beloved building."

Money and politics were behind the building's demise. But those who loved it, including members of the Kevoian and Caglia families, managed to salvage and save some parts including the cupola.

After decades sitting in lots and warehouses it was donated to the Fresno Historical Society. They have now partnered with the Big Fresno Fair to give the cupola a new home at a new museum building to be constructed on the fairgrounds.

Fair CEO John Alkire says it will be something everyone can see. "And on the top of that structure we want to put the cupola and feature the cupola."

Friends of the Fair board member Brian Tatarian says it will be a welcome addition. "This sat on top of the grandest building in Fresno County history."

Along with the cupola, two of the 9-foot-tall statues, the goddesses of justice that stood on top of the courthouse vestibules, will also be part of the museum.

Judge Robert Oliver, a board member of the Fresno Historical Society says, "This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to once again see something that is really an icon of Fresno County."

In addition, some of the preserved furnishings will be used to recreate an actual courtroom inside. Historical Society President Dan Adams says it's part of the goal to get stuff where the public can see it. "We've done a great job of collecting and preserving, but we now are pushing to the process of sharing those assets, getting them out of the warehouse, making them available to the public."

As part of the county's history, Leta Ciavaglia, president of the fair's Board of Directors believes the fairgrounds are an appropriate place to remember all of the county's history to educate the public. "And this is a piece of history they don't even know about and they will be able to see it up close and personal."

"It's time for it to go back to some level of glory, and we hope to put it up, make it work, and I think it will be great for our community," Tatarian added.

The plan is to have the new building finished, with the cupola on top in about two years.

Ryle, who said she cried when the old building came down said, "To see it come back restored is very, very exciting."