Walnut Processing Plant (Dehydrator) (San Ramon, California)

 agriculture, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places

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This structure is part of the Forest Home Farms complex and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The dehydrator is comprised of three separate, but closely adjacent, buildings, plus two outhouses. The main body of the first building (*northern structure*), is open on the east end to create four, tall vehicular bays. This 3,800 square foot building is believed to have been built in the 1920s, and was originally used to store farm equipment. It eventually was used as a walnut warehouse and currently is used to store equipment. Interior remodeling is planned to create accessible restrooms and classrooms.

The three story middle building, which is only three feet from the southern end of the northern most building, possesses a long rectangular plan with a narrower third story centered on the east-west axis. This building was the main processing area, with conveyor belts to move the walnuts, propane-fueled dryer and slatted bins for air-drying. The building was reportedly built in the late 1930s or early 1940 and placed adjacent to the other buildings to facilitate the walnut processing. Water pumped from a well and used for cleaning the nuts was drained directly from this building into the adjacent creek.

The third building, which is two feet from the 3 story building, was built prior to 1931. It was used to store the nuts but the holding area in the floor has been filled in with concrete. It is currently used for storage.