INCHING THROUGH MORRO BAY... The huge generator stator, aboard its 82-tire trailer, touched state highway 1 for the last time as it crossed the coast route at Sixth street in Morro Bay yesterday afternoon. As workmen tediously continued to pick up and put down planks under the 220-ton load, Beyla Truck company's big truck tractor inched the steel giant closer to its destination, the PG&E power plant opposite Morro rock. Curious groups of Morro Bay residents lined the path of the heavy equipment as it approached a short but steep hill leading down to the waterfront level where Bechtel corporation is building the power plant. Three large trucks and a heavy winch unit later were used to anchor and ease the load down the grade. It was delivered safely, without mishap last night after an eight-day move from Camp San Luis Obispo's railroad siding. (©T-T photo) published December 24, 1954
Happy Jack’s bar is at the left as workers use poles to keep the equipment from snagging on utility lines.
The explosive growth in California after World War II put a strain on utilities to keep up with demand. The power plant in Morro Bay was one of several new electric generation facilities that PG&E built during the era. According to Encyclopedia Britannica the stator is a cylindrical ring of iron providing a path for magnetic flux. The rotor turns inside generating electric power.
In other news, a 25-foot tall Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn was vandalized. Mischief makers stole lights and globes overnight and the superintendent of parks got a phone call describing the miscreants. He turned the information over to the police.
Members of the San Luis Obispo Fireman’s Association played Santa by delivering repaired toys to 176 underprivileged children. A year long toy drive gathered toys that needed a new coat of paint or a new wheel. This was a decades long tradition until toys became so breakable that repair was no longer an option.
The Arroyo Grande city council dropped plans to accept an ambulance offered to the city by a former mayor. The 1936 vehicle had low mileage but the cost of outfitting the unit with modern equipment was estimated at over $3,000 and that did not include staffing and training. The era of making due with less was ending.
It was official, the the year in review story declared the communists lost in Indochina, an agreement in Geneva ended that conflict.
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I love this photo David. My Dad was there that afternoon, and I have several pictures taken from the other side of Main street that he took. In comparing them, I noticed that all of his were taken when the truck was about half a block from reaching this intersection and the fog was blocking out the sun. I wonder just how slow that truck was moving (1/2 to 1 mph maybe?) for the sun to have come out completely when the TT photographer snapped this picture? Nearly 58 years ago I was 6 years old, and virtually every building visible is still standing. The only corner of that intersection that is different is the SE which is just out of the picture.
P.S.
Are there any more in the archives of this event?
I guess I should read a little closer. 9 miles in 8 days! Thats about 135 feet per hour and it was a 24/7 move. All this took place when Highway 1 west of Camp SLO was still 2 lane. The highway was closed to traffic during the move. What Im curious about, is how the move was conducted for the new units circa 1959 or 60 when the plant was expanded? Is there anything in the archives about those moves?
I think Morro Bay changed the names of the streets after incorporation. But I’m not certain. I think 5th street was changed to Morro Bay Boulevard.
You are correct mfm. The truck in the picture is on Harbor st. crossing Main. Back then it was 6th.
Great pic of downtown Morro David. I just recently purchased a collection of the Morro Bay Power plant under constuction from areal views and ground pics. I also have pics of many of the guys that were working on the site. If anyone knows someone who was working on the site I would have no problem sharing these great pics and trying to ID any of the workers. Keep up your great work.
Guy, I would love to take a look at your collection to see if my Dad is in any of the photos. We moved to Morro Bay in October of 1953 when he hired on as a painter with Bechtel. He stayed on with them until the plant opened, and he and my mom made Morro Bay their home for the rest of their lives. You can reach me at JoeDunlap8648@gmail.com
Thanks for the offer
Joe
Joe & Guy,
Joe has a facebook group of folks that grew up in Morro Bay. They may be able to offer caption information and stories to go with the photos. Sounds like a great find. Let me know if you post them to a gallery site like flickr & I’ll post a link or feel free to share the link in a comment.