gmhTODAY Fall 2023 | Page 46

Historically Speaking :

Saving the Granary

by Robin Shepherd . Photos by Morgan Hill Historical Society

One of downtown Morgan Hill ’ s most iconic and historic properties is the Granary on Depot Street . It might not be standing today if not for the vision , talent , and inventiveness of Charles Weston and

Lesley Miles .

46

In the 1980s , Weston and Miles were busy with architectural and landscape design projects outside of Morgan Hill , but they established a business office in the Votaw building at 2nd Street and Monterey Road . They started a family and soon became involved in community life .

Weston joined the board of the Morgan Hill Historical Society and donated his time to design a much-needed foundation for the Hiram Morgan Hill House , which had been built on mud sills typical of 1800s homes .
Miles juggled landscape design work with studying for her architecture license and researching the horticultural heritage of the “ Valley of Heart ' s Delight ,” as Santa Clara Valley was described for many years .
Weston Miles Architects is Born
In 1996 , the couple launched Weston Miles Architects in Morgan Hill . They ’ ve developed an impressive portfolio of completed projects over the years including the Morgan Hill Grange , the Depot Street train station , some of the Morgan Hill and Gilroy Unified schools , Morgan Hill City Council chambers , banks , wineries , and the Skeels building .
FALL 2023 gmhTODAY Magazine : Go . Make history ... gmhtoday . com