Shell Beach 1964
January 14, 2008 – 5:41 pm
June 26, 1964
Telegram-Tribune photo by Jack Wilson
UPDATE
Everyone who guessed Shell Beach was correct and now that I have learned to operate the microfilm reader, blog entries should have better information.
The demonstration was a protest, though so mild by today’s standards I missed it on my first look.
Shell Beach residents blocked a contractor who was taking earth from freeway construction and using it as fill on land he was developing in the Sunset Palisades subdivision. Deputy sheriffs in cowboy hats and a CHP officer responded and the bulldozers went around the protesters and kept moving dirt.
The county board of supervisors had passed an emergency grading ordinance three days before and residents were upset that their views and drainage were being impacted.
Later contractor Mike Hermreck agreed to comply with the ordinance and apply to the county for permits.
If you think writing was better back in the day check out the lede of the story by South County Editor Bill Glines.
“SHELL BEACH ¬– A group of militant housewives headed by the Cal Poly dean of agriculture Warren Smith halted a $300 an hour earth fill job here for an hour early this morning.”
I guess back then any protest was militant, even when bulldozers were changing the drainage of your backyard.
Photographer Tony Hertz found the same spot today, the house has the same brick chimney and the same rock in the ocean. After graduation from Cal Poly, Tony Hertz was a staff photographer for the Tribune from 1977 – 1988 and now is a freelance photographer and Cuesta College faculty member.
2 Responses to “Shell Beach 1964”
Looks like Sunset Palisades. That rock in the sea looks familiar. There was freeway construction at about that time, which looks like what is going on in the picture.
By nuts4oldpics on Dec 12, 2007
The rock is a good clue. Sunset Palisades. Remember, that area was once an oil refinery, never in use. It was torn down. So I would guess this is the beginning of the new homes (now older homes) in the Sunset Palisades of Shell Beach area.
By slo_co_local_girl on Dec 14, 2007