SAVE THE STORY OF THE VASCO ROAD FLAG BARN

Help Give This Patriotic Landmark a Permanent Home

From a historic ranch hay barn to a symbol of American patriotism — help preserve its legacy for future generations.

A LANDMARK WITH A STORY TO TELL

The story begins in the 1920s.

The Armstrong Ranch property was purchased in the 1920s, including a hay barn that would one day become an unforgettable symbol of American pride.

September 11, 2001 — A Nation United

In the days following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the barn was painted with the American flag by Paul Fontaine, a now-retired San Jose police officer who lived in Brentwood. The flag transformed an ordinary agricultural building into a powerful tribute to our country, its people, and the American spirit.

For more than two decades, the Vasco Road Flag Barn stood as a familiar landmark for travelers, representing patriotism, remembrance, and a defining moment in our nation's history.

The property was ultimately acquired by the East Bay Regional Park District. In September 2025, safety concerns required the barn to be dismantled. Rather than lose the iconic flag façade, the City of Brentwood partnered with Brentwood Public Works to carefully dismantle it in panels, with the hope of preserving it for public display.

The City of Brentwood donated the dismantled Flag Barn façade to the East Contra Costa Historical Society, providing an opportunity for this beloved landmark to find a permanent home at the East Contra Costa Historical Museum on Sellers Avenue.

Now, with the façade preserved, the next step is to help make its future public display a reality.

The East Contra Costa Historical Society is seeking community donations to help fund the work necessary to preserve, prepare, support, and display the historic façade at the museum.

Your generosity will help transform salvaged panels of an iconic landmark into a lasting historical exhibit — one that will allow children, families, residents, and visitors to learn its story for generations to come.

EVERY DONATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Please donate and share our campaign with friends, family, neighbors, and fellow history supporters.