Land was barren. He dug 10-acre underground village & orchard

During the California heat wave of 1906, Baldassare Forestiere dug a home underground with just a pickax and shovel. He spent 40 years excavating 10 acres of rooms, tunnels, a chapel, an underground aquarium, and courtyards to experiment with underground farming.

With no budget, he mixed mortar from the dirt he dug out, creating his own concrete and bricks. Despite continuing to work as a day laborer during the day (mostly digging irrigation ditches), by the 1920s, he had completed about 50 subterranean rooms.

A Sicilian immigrant to Fresno, California, Forestiere had planned to farm citrus until discovering that his 80 acres of “hardpan” soil were unusable for planting. Digging as far as 20 feet below the surface, Forestiere reached depths where the soil was good, and his trees were protected from Fresno’s extreme summer heat and winter frosts. After about 20 years of digging and underground farming, he could quit his day job and live off the fruits of his subterranean orchards.

Despite having just a fourth-grade education and no architectural training, Forestiere - inspired by the catacombs of Rome - built arches for support, and to this day, none of his underground construction has collapsed. In areas where he wanted more natural cooling (like near stoves), he created cone-shaped openings to encourage the venturi effect, pushing the hot air out and sucking the cooler air down.

His underground home had a kitchen with a wood-burning stove, an ice box and a dining room, winter and summer bedrooms, many skylights, a subterranean fish pond, a car garage for guests, and a three-floor aquarium with an underground glass viewing area. He had plans to open an underground resort to the public as a place to cool off in the summer, but he died before it was completed. His brother and family took over the site, and today it’s open to the public.

[markmasi]

I was here as a child 60 years ago, and it has haunted my imagination ever since. What a remarkable man, what an amazing accomplishment.

[enmodo]

The greatest thing - that his family managed to keep a hold of most of the property for long enough that the city didn't just bulldoze it and bury it under another parking lot. Thank goodness for the preservation efforts that keep it open to visit to this day. It reminded me of the underground homes and mines in Coober Pedy in Australia

[suburbanbiology]

I dug one hole for a water tank with a tractor and I felt accomplished. This guy is next level! Great job honoring his work!!

[Jemawin]

The sheer physical labor this took is mind boggling.

[kirstendirksen]

Since so many people have asked about what happens when it rains, here is Shera's response: "Baldassare actually put drainage systems in place! Many of the rooms are built on a grade and sump pits are placed in strategic areas throughout the Underground Gardens where the water is directed to collect and reuse. While it does get muddy underground, we do not deal with any serious flooding."

[cpmvmaker]

This man really created something that outlasted himself and is continuously being appreciated and cared for by generations. Just beautiful.

[plantfeeder]

As a native of Fresno we all went to the underground gardens as school kids. It was one of the best field trips we got to take.
I am grateful that a yt creator with your following found the interest to visit here. There is nothing like it on this grand of a scale anywhere.
Also Citrus Trees are a large part of our farming here in the great central valley, but to hear that those trees are over 100 years old has my jaw on the floor. That is unheard of today.

[mdj]

I bet this place was gorgeous in its prime. This man was using “old world” knowledge and teachings to create this. The fact that it’s preserved is amazing. The guide is exceptional. Her enthusiasm and reverence for what’s been created is evident throughout this video. Thank you for creating this video.

[wirelesmike]

What a beautiful way to live. It's almost criminal that this didn't become more common through the years. The amount of work that one man did is staggering. It's such a beautiful place. I would totally live that way.💙

[grantwilliams]

I have dug six foot trenches. By hand. This is an insane amount of labor, and he did it when he was working on someone else’s farm to start. The endurance he had is super human

[karennoble]

Fresno native here. This is the best video I’ve ever seen on the Foresteiere gardens. I’ve visited many times taking out of town visitors, but I learned so much from this video. This woman is a great guide. Fun fact …In the 1970s, as a teenager, I attended Halloween dances with live bands in the underground big ballroom. So much fun & great memories.

[jem]

This type of homes should be encouraged. Even if it is just public shopping center where people can gather to shop, eat and stay out of the sun.

[darinbasile]

I love that place.
Side note. When Foristierre first got to New York he worked in the construction of subway tunnels. So he got practical skills from that.

[Dopeornope]

This gentleman’s life would make an excellent movie… Growing up in Sicily, spending time in Rome and moving to Fresno to farm citrus. Yet, instead he created his own masterpiece. All the while, working exceptionally hard, encountering unexpected difficulties. However, through trial & error and determination, he ultimately persevered and built a wonderful home under the surface of the earth…

[enoughisenough]

This woman is a fantastic guide. You can tell she is intrigued with this mans work.

[badgerfern]

I’m glad this place is getting the respect it deserves

[outingsforoldladieswhoaren]

I live in California, less than 180 miles away. I had no idea this existed. What a brilliant man. Definitely something I would love to see.

[tonypalmentera]

As a Sicilian-American, and a guy who likes to tinker and "invent", and has an interest in sustainable architecture, I must say, this was inspiring, astonishing, and emotionally uplifting. What an amazing man, with an amazing mind. It was agriculture, architecture, aesthetics...this man may have had little education, but he fits the definition of a polymath in my book. Way ahead of his time, a jack of many trades, to the point of excellence and longevity...a true legacy, even without have children to directly carry it forward. That is more amazing than it seems.

[yowwwwie]

I've often thought that people who live in areas where tornados are prevalent should consider underground you are a creative force in this vast universe of time. Thank you Kirsten.
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[sandranelson]

My grandparents lived in Kerman, CA. They had acres of vineyards. I remember visiting this site when I was an early teenager. I am 80 now. I couldn’t believe how cool and comfortable his home was.