This post card was in a Paso Robles file with no caption information. Printed on the back was “Alsup Studio Paso Robles, Calif.” Only problem was the building didn’t look like one from Paso Robles. The low heavy fog, dune scrub growth and lack of oak trees made Paso Robles less likely for the location. …
Category Archive: 1900s
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 …
Mar 20
Fashionable Easter shirt waists from 1903
Easter fashion for women at the dawn of the 20th century included flowery hats and high collared dresses as seen in this advertisement from a San Luis Obispo store. I am told by informed fashion sources that a shirt waist is a blouse that in that era would typically be worn over an uncomfortable whale …
Jan 23
Pestiferous household rodent frightened by young lady with lamp
The Daily Telegram’s early years in San Luis Obispo were mediocre. Founded on principles of temperance, managed by committee, the paper knew how to scold alcohol consumers. The newspaper seemed befuddled when real news came to town. The writing was florid and repetitive, leading you to believe the paper was stretching to fill space and …
Jan 22
The Oceano Southern Pacific Depot restoration and Harold Guiton
Harold Guiton would be happy to see the depot in use today. He and other volunteers saved what is now the only remaining Southern Pacific Depot in the county. Paso Robles modernized and remodeled their depot after a fire so it is little like the original structure. San Luis Obispo bulldozed their wood frame depot. …
Dec 27
Howard Jack, editor of the San Luis Obispo Breeze
What happened to the Breeze? Last week the story of 19th century Tribune and Breeze editor George Staniford was told. When Staniford passed away in 1903 his former newspaper the Breeze soon came under the helm of Howard Jack. The name may sound familiar; Howard’s father, land developer and rancher R.E. Jack built the Jack …
Dec 26
Horse drawn buggy by Studebaker
I asked Santa for a stylish classic Studebaker for Christmas. This is what I got. The company began in 1852 when brothers Henry and Clement Studebaker opened a blacksmith shop in South Bend Indiana. Later two younger brothers would join and they would build the business into the largest wagon and buggy maker in the …
Dec 22
Electric lamps, the latest thing
A little over a hundred years ago this advertisement touted the safety of electric power over candles, gas or oil lamps. This is from the Feb. 24, 1906 edition of the San Luis Obispo Telegram. If you are reading this by a whale oil fired lamp you may want to E.M. Payne and get set …
Dec 20
George Staniford, Tribune and Breeze Editor
They could have been bitter rivals. Benjamin Brooks was the long time editor of The Tribune. George Staniford had owned The Tribune before Brooks and later owned a competing paper the Breeze. Both held high office in the Masonic lodge. Often rival newspapers of the era engaged in ugly personal attacks between editors and some …
Dec 07
The end of horse and buggy days, the stage from San Luis to San Simeon
Technology changes and the job you thought you had is gone. I hear that one all the time. How about a job that only lasts one year? Elliot Curry told the story in the Telegram-Tribune March 22, 1968: Auto killed San Simeon run Pettenger’s short-lived stage line Two young fellows from Iowa stopped at the …
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