Cuesta College celebrates 50 years this year and the first major milestone was when voters approved bonds to finance building a brand new facility to replace the 30-year-old wood frame military barracks. This story is from June 5, 1976. Story by Kay Ready Buildings—once whitewashed enlisted men’s quarters for Camp San Luis Obispo, now paint-chipped …
Category Archive: Construction
May 07
The original shopping center for Atascadero
Edward Gardner Lewis and wife Mabel bought the 23,000 acre rancho that would become the colony of Atascadero for $850,000 in 1913. The utopian dreamer, land speculator and publisher envisioned a new city. By 1915 a tent city sold the subdivided lots and was the place for people to stay while building their homes. The …
May 01
Origins of Halcyon, CA and Temple of the People
Paul Ivey will deliver a presentation based on his book “Radiance from Halcyon” a history of the Temple of the People. The program will take place Friday May 3 at 6 p.m. Meet at the IOOF Hall in Arroyo Grande at 128 Bridge Street (across from McLintock’s). Admission is free with a donation request in …
Apr 26
Lopez Dam construction
They did not know they were in a race against time. A year later torrential rains would cause flooding everywhere but downstream from Lopez Dam. There the new structure would impound water filling the reservoir much more quickly than expected. Here workers pour concrete around the intake structure in January of 1968. The facility provides …
Apr 10
Freeway construction begins in San Luis Obispo, 1952
It takes less time to travel this section of freeway than it takes to read about it. If you want to see the before picture click here. The Telegram-Tribune of March 25, 1952 carried the story: WORK STARTS ON S.L.O. FREEWAY Big Crossing Structures Come First Construction started today on the first of several freeway …
Apr 09
1940ish San Luis Obispo Highway
This undated photo shows what appears to be a new highway entry in to San Luis Obispo as Highway 101 makes a turn onto Marsh Street. My guess is this is from the 40s as the highway was improved at least once in that decade. It may be from the late 30s, I can’t find …
Apr 06
San Luis Obispo city hall dedication
A little over 60 years ago there was a lot happening in San Luis Obispo. One storm had brought a dusting of snow and another had brought flooding. Atmospheric atomic weapons tests in Nevada were lighting the night sky and the freeway and Atascadero State Hospital were under construction. A smiling U.S. Senator Richard Nixon …
Mar 28
San Luis Obispo Elks Lodge history
The Elks lodge and Masons had a close relationship in their early days in San Luis Obispo. Long time Tribune editor Benjamin Brooks was a member in high standing with both organizations. The Masonic lodge being the more established organization allowed the Elks to meet at their hall then on Chorro Street. The Elks held …
Mar 24
U-Boat threat World War II, week by week
March 16, 1943 One of the many problems to be solved during the war was that of the German U-Boats. They threatened to choke off the sea-lanes between North America and Britain. Without advances in technology and tactics the war would not be won. Germany claimed they were starting the biggest sea blitz of the …










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