Finally! Maybe now our local govermnet can spend it's time on real issues.

What a racket this Uphold Our Heritage organization has shown itself to be. What a waste of time and money! That house was falling apart long before Steve Jobs bought it and no one can see the house from Mountain Home Road anyway. There is nothing worth saving - a 50-ft flagpole - really?! Although, the copper mailbox was pretty cool, but that could have been removed and put in the museum way back in 1984 - I'm sure Steve would have been delighted to donate it. So, as usual, the Usual Suspects make all the money out of boondoggles like this. What a shame...

They just started deconstructing this house? It has been well on it's way to demolition for many years...

Yes, what a waste of time, money and energy by Uphold Our Heritage. there is little doubt that Mr. Jobs' new home will be far more historic than the Jackling Estate.

The comment that salvaging any of the house is like picking up pieces of a Faberge egg is a beautiful sound-bite, but like many analygies misses the mark.

Some salvage is always better than the land-fill both artistically and ecologically.

Mr. Jobs won't build a new house on the land. The man is dying and won't get a chance to even use this land. There was no reason to tear down the house if others wanted it and were willing to relocate it.

Press reports are saying that Jobs only has about six weeks to live.

Every city in the bay area requires at least 50% diversion of construction and demolition debris. Meaning at least 50% of the waste is recycled or salvaged.

If it is true Jobs will never get to build or enjoy his property, I think those that fought so hard to keep him from being able to use it as he saw fit should be ashamed of themselves.

Marina, a resident of Atherton stated, "There was no reason to tear down the house if others wanted it and were willing to relocate it."

Really? That's your test? If you can just find someone - anyone - who simply "wants" a structure, that means the owner can't demolish it? That's quite a standard you are setting for homeowners... I would think the OWNER might have a say. After all, they paid for it!

In this case, Mr. Jobs offered to move the property. The two other people who "wanted" the Jackling House eventually realized it wasn't practical.

I say good riddance to that eyesore and hazard to our entire neighborhood.

The Uphold our Heritage people tipped their hand when they offered to take a cash settlement to go away. They should have been pressed with extortion charges. They just thought they could hold a quasi-historic house for ransom from a billionaire. I'm glad it's torn down, and I'm glad they lost. Hurray, Steve Jobs!

The Town of Woodside government in general has "trench warfare syndrome" where they're so used to being fought with that they rarely come out of their defensive posturing long enough to consider being genuine human beings and doing the right thing. There are lots of other examples of standing on a tall stack of rule books and not looking constituents in the eye. I agree with Menlo Voter: they should all be ashamed of themselves.

Why have rules on the books if you're not going to follow them?

If a rule is unjustified, it should not be a stretch to prove it.

Where's the fault here?

Joe -

What rules are you talking about? No one is accusing Mr. Jobs of violating any laws...

POGO - The comments of the person preceding me seemed to blame people for following the town's rules. All I was doing is asking the obvious questions. If I am doing anything, I calling on the critics of the town to justify their criticism, gently.

Having followed this story from its inception, I think all parties involved and sideline critics may agree that if one simple action would have occurred, this story would have ended as quickly as it began. Had just one of the interested parties "put their money where their mouth was" and shown Mr. Jobs they were truly interested in moving the structure, he would have agreed and the process would have started and been completed long ago. Appears not a one of the suitors took the initative and say, deposited the needed funds into a bank account showing they were truly prepared to undertake this action. Having been born and spent several years in Santa Barbara, I am somewhat saddened the building has been demolished. I do have a strange liking/disliking of George Washington Smith designed homes. However, if you feel the need to spend some time staring at a GWS home, there are plenty of them is Santa Barbara for you to fill your need.

Not unlike the Jackling House, Morgan Manor, located in Los Altos Hills and built around 1915 was also unoccupied and in total disrepair by 1999. Subsequent new owners who were also venture capitalists purchased the property and set about on a total renovation which can be viewed online. The property, now called Stonebrook Court is an example of what is possible even in this era of tearing down historical landmarks in a rush to subdivide and build more unsightly McMansions.

I don't object to Mr. Jobs right to do what he wants with his property but it's unfortunate he could not see the greater value in saving a piece of peninsula history.

Here is a picture of what is left.

Web Link

Thomas's post included this: "...tearing down historical landmarks in a rush to subdivide and build more unsightly McMansions."

First, Mr. Jobs isn't tearing down a historical landmark. It was already in near total disrepair. You can blame him for it, but provided it does not represent a hazard, there is no legal obligation to keep up your home.

Second, Mr. Jobs did not have a "rush to subdivide." In fact, his new plans are for ONE residence and it will have fewer structures than the existing property.

Finally, Mr. Jobs is hardly building a "McMansion." If I recall correctly, the Jackling home was about 17,000 square feet. Mr. Jobs wanted to build a 6,000 square foot home for his family.

I understand your post was intended to be a general commentary, but you couldn't have been more wrong about Mr. Jobs and this project.

John from Cupertino -

I agree with you, except that what happened in Woodside is actually even worse than the suitors and preservationists not putting their money where their mouth was.

In this case, the South Florida woman behind "Uphold our Heritage" OWNED this property prior to Mr. Jobs. That means that she sold the home, made a nice profit, and then tried to restrict a subsequent owner's ability to use his property. She was trying to have it both ways - making money from the sale and then, after she got her cash, continue to control something she no longer owned.

She not only didn't PUT her money where her mouth was, she PUT money in her own wallet.

You who believe it was a mistake, now order your own resting place.
This delapidated annoying costly mess of architectual history, had the best demise it could have wished.
Now, pay attention to the privacy of Mr. Jobs, who did a remarkable thing in making this area a place you can find pride.
Also, be prepared for a huge change in leadership locally and a cut back on charter schools and jobs for excellent teachers.