Napa County Landmarks, the county’s nonprofit historic preservation organization, announced its annual list of Ten Threatened Treasures Sunday. These sites of historic and cultural importance are in danger of destruction, sometimes by developers and sometimes simply by neglect.

The year the list actually numbers 11. The Historic Bridges of Napa County, which headed the list in previous years, is now believed to be of such importance that it has been taken off the TTT List and given its own category.

Three new sites have been added to the list of Treasures, while, in a sign of progress, several previous ones have been taken off.

The three new sites deemed to be in danger are all in the city of Napa. They are Napa Expo, Fuller Park and the historic resources at Stanly Ranch.

Since 1900 the Napa Town and Country Fair has been held on the grounds of the Napa Expo. This large area is owned by the state, from which it receives only 10 percent of its operating budget. Expo covers the remainder through revenue from its events, but has no funds for maintenance and capital improvements. Many buildings need repairs or renovation and the entire area suffers from annual flooding and the eastern hills’ water runoff. Roads, parking areas and site utilities all need upgrading.

Expo is highly regarded as a community resource. But its continued function is threatened unless additional funding can be found.

The 10-acre Fuller Park, Napa’s oldest, was purchased in 1904 and has an unusually high diversity of tree species. It is on the edge of the National Register Historic District Napa Abajo/Fuller Park. The park is heavily used, with three large group picnic areas and a children’s playlot. Its popularity is one of its threats, as park staff has little time or money to maintain the picnic sites and facilities, or tend to the trees and landscaping.

Historic Resources at Stanly Ranch are in danger. This large agricultural area within the city limits is owned in part by the city and partly by Stanly Ranch Vineyards, which will lease out some of the area to wineries for vineyards and tasting rooms. Of concern are the historic eucalyptus trees, an old cistern, several stone bridges and the 1872 home of Judge John A. Stanly, which is eligible for listing on the National Register.

With new development planned on the property, Napa County Landmarks raised the warning flag to preserve the historic elements.

Landmarks has high hopes for the next two threatened treasures.

Aetna Springs, in Pope Valley, is a National Register site with buildings that may have been designed by noted architect Bernard Maybeck. In earlier days it was a popular family resort and held the first public golf course in Napa County and perhaps in the state. After passing through a series of owners, it has fallen into deterioration. Aetna Springs’ new owners hope to restore it to its original use as a private resort with an expanded golf course. While many issues still need to be resolved, Landmarks is delighted with the idea that this wonderful site might be preserved after all.

The Francis House in Calistoga (Old Calistoga Hospital) has been on the list so long that it had been moved to the “Hall of Shame.” Built in 1886 in the Second Empire style as a private home, it became the town’s hospital from 1918 to 1964, after which it stood vacant and deteriorating. Now, however, with the cooperation of the city of Calistoga, a new owner is developing the property as the Francis House Inn.

Reappearing on the Ten Threatened Treasures list again and again are the next five properties.

The Merrill’s building in downtown Napa was built in 1929 with a second-story facade retaining the Spanish Colonial Revival influence. Vacant for years, the property belongs to the owners of the Napa Town Center who have made no move to refurbish it.

The Rutherford Depot in Rutherford returns to the Ten Threatened list from which it had been removed at the prospect of its renovation. However the building is still vacant after several years and the owner has not indicated any immediate plans for it.

The Fagiani building on Main Street in Napa, has been empty for 30 years. It still presents a handsome facade but is on the city of Napa’s list of unreinforced masonry buildings that must be retrofitted, as it is a danger to citizens and property. The owner has rebuffed offers to buy or restore the building.

The Flanagan House in Carneros is an example of 19th century farmhouses. The owner has repeatedly offered to give it to anyone who will move it away. However the cost has been prohibitive to potential takers.

Soda Springs in Napa, is another 19th-century resort from the days when people traveled to Napa to “take the waters.” The current owner submitted a plan to the county for preservation of the historic buildings along with a multiple property development. However no follow-through was done with an EIR  and the project remains in limbo while the historic buildings continue their downward slide.

Landmarks has also issued a “Watch List” of properties in potential danger. They include:

• The Tannery Bend area on Coombs Street in Napa includes a number of buildings that were part of the historic Sawyer and Valnap tanneries. Some have been identified as having value because of their association with early Napa industry and families. Work along the river and development plans for the area could affect these historic resources. Landmarks is calling for a thorough survey of the significance of the site before changes are made.

• The Uptown Theater in downtown Napa is an excellent example of art deco architecture and style. Plans to restore it were announced with great fanfare years ago and, while the exterior is looking better, the interior remains a work in slow progress.

• Unretrofitted unreinforced masonry buildings remain throughout Napa County. However, the city of Napa has given owners a deadline for finishing the work. Landmarks notes that those owners who have gone to the expense of so doing appear to have successfully attracted new tenants.

Landmarks has removed the following properties from its list:

• The Caetano Juarez Adobe (Old Adobe Restaurant) is Napa’s oldest building dating from 1845 and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The new owners have removed many of the egregious changes made by their predecessors.

• The Noyes Mansion at First and Jefferson streets in Napa was on the “Watch List.”

Now owned by the Wine Spectator Magazine and used for its offices, the exterior has undergone a major renovation and many original elements have been restored. The interior and the adjacent Carriage House await refurbishing.

For more information, go to info@napacounty landmarks.org or call 255-1836.