Agriculture community rallies to support family that owned historic landmark
What remained of the historic Templeton Feed and Grain building in California has been demolished, following a catastrophic fire on July 4th that gutted the century-old structure.
The blaze, ignited by illegal fireworks just after 11 p.m., quickly engulfed the iconic building, which had stood as a symbol of Templeton’s agricultural heritage since 1912.
Despite a rapid response from local firefighters—on scene within two minutes and water on the flames two minutes after that—the fire proved too intense to save the structure.
Templeton Fire Chief Tom Peterson confirmed that the fire burned for several days, requiring a sustained and extensive containment effort.
The fire’s aftermath left a gaping void in the heart of the community. Gina Fitzpatrick, President of the Templeton Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the loss saying that Templeton Feed and Grain wasn’t just a building, it was a cornerstone of the town’s identity. Like many she had fond memories of pulling up to the weigh scale.
Demolition crews from ABI Engineering Grading and Paving Underground brought down the building’s remaining towers. Using heavy equipment and wire rigging, the team safely removed the 105-foot structures, which had become unstable due to the fire damage.
Co-owner Laura Jermin-Humphrey said the family-owned business is actively seeking a temporary location—ideally 8,000 to 10,000 square feet—within the Templeton area. In the meantime, Templeton Feed and Grain has partnered with Penny Newman Grain Company to manufacture feed using their proprietary formulas.
She says they hope to return to Main Street and rebuild when the time is right.
As Templeton mourns the loss of a landmark, the community’s resilience and agricultural spirit remain firmly rooted in the soil it has long served.