SEABISCUIT’S STUD BARN RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

November 15, 2012 | Willits, CA

SEABISCUIT’S STUD BARN NOMINATION TO NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT

The Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to preserving and protecting the cultural legacy of Ridgewood Ranch, home and final resting place of the legendary racehorse, plans to submit a National Register of Historic Places nomination for Seabisuit’s restored stud barn and is garnering support both locally and internationally.

“Seabiscuit’s home at Ridgewood Ranch is a resource of significant importance and an integral connection to the local culture and history of the Willits community and Mendocino County” stated Alan R. Falleri, Community Development Director of the City of Willits. In addition to providing people who have enjoyed and appreciated the inspirational story of Seabiscuit the ability to visit the very place that he lived, and the important economic benefit to the area that Ridgewood Ranch offers as a tourist attraction, Ridgewood Ranch is a source of great pride within the community. ”

Lynn Kennelly, Executive Director of the Willits Chamber of Commerce also commented: “Ridgewood Ranch, with its rich and diverse history, is an important economic stimulus establishing Willits as a destination for tourism within Northern California. The Willits Chamber applauds the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation’s (www.seabiscuitheritage.org) efforts to preserve and protect the heritage of Ridgewood Ranch for current and future generations from all over the world to enjoy.”

Celebrated author and honorary SHF board member Laura Hillenbrand, in support of an SHF-hosted “Bid for the Biscuit” online auction (www.biddingforgood.com/seabiscuit), shared the news with friends and fans through her social network encouraging them to bid.

Longtime California Congressman Mike Thompson strongly supports the nomination of Seabiscuit’s stud barn to the National Register of Historic Places, applauding the dedication and vision of Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation, along with the local community including the Rotary Club of Willits, for doing outstanding work to restore and preserve Seabiscuit’s stud barn and other historic structures at Ridgewood Ranch.

In an official letter, Congressman Thompson stated, “I join the Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation in nominating Seabiscuit’s stud barn to the National Register so that this legacy will receive the official recognition it merits.” and added, “The legendary racehorse served as an icon of hope and possibility for millions of Americans by persevering and becoming a national hero during a major time of distress in our country. Since the 1930s, Seabiscuit’s barn and the historical Ridgewood Ranch adjacent to US Highway 101 between Ukiah and Willits in northern California have drawn visitors, making this location an outstanding treasure and point of interest in Mendocino County.”

In related events, Seabiscuit’s primary jockey, Red Pollard, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was honored posthumously this past August when 79 St. NW in Edmonton became the “Red Pollard Way” while his friend, George “The Iceman” Woolf, another famous Seabiscuit pilot, was recently memorialized in a stunning bronze in Cardston, Alberta. Dr. June A. Donaldson of Calgary, Alberta, instrumental in the naming of “Red Pollard Way”, visited Ridgewood Ranch this summer and met with SHF leaders. “I fully support their efforts to have the beautifully restored Seabiscuit stud barn declared a US historic site. Along with it being a beautiful and spiritual building, it is the right and honorable thing to do for this horse. ”

Numerous letters of support for the National Register nomination have already been received from various International sources. The SHF strongly encourages Seabiscuit fans and admirers everywhere to add their own letters and emails of support for the application nomination, addressed to Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation, 16200 North Highway 101, Willits, CA 95490 (www.seabiscuitheritage.org). These letters can play a significant role in ensuring the nomination’s success.

“We cannot lose the Seabiscuit story to time. We must tell it and celebrate it and one of the best ways to do that is to support the many Seabiscuit Heritage Foundation initiatives – and this is one of them. In that way, Seabiscuit too will be honored in a permanent, significant and visible way, as it should be!” concluded Dr. Donaldson.

Friends of Seabiscuit will surely agree.