May 29
Ephemeric characters flash through history like shooting stars, rarely remembered beyond their days. Visionaries, dreamers and mystics rarely get remembered. Usually that honor goes to industrialists, generals, politicians and entertainers. Dreams aren’t worth a memorial if no one made a buck off it or won a battle. A rare exception is coming up. The first …
Apr 09
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 …
Oct 03
So apparently it is the brand of whiskey that gives you the hangover. I thought the point of whiskey was to get a warm fuzzy feeling, not have a clear head. That’s what Calvert seems to be claiming in this July 3, 1935 ad. Oh, four sentences deep into the copy they say moderation may …
Sep 04
Horatio S. Rembaugh traveled many miles before he set out to California, arriving in San Luis Obispo just in time to help publish the first edition of the Tribune. Born in Philadelphia August 3, 1840 he would never know his mother. Ann Rembaugh died within 9 months of Horatio’s birth. The fourth and last child …
Aug 17
The Masons have a deep sense of history. This apron was used in many ceremonies. It dedicated cornerstones of three court houses including Stockton and Visalia then later San Luis Obispo in 1872. Tribune founder, judge and freemason Walter Murray wore it during the San Luis Obispo courthouse dedication ceremony. The apron outlasted the old …
Jul 18
Pismo Heights is the neighborhood above Judkins Middle School. Many of the street names are from San Joaquin valley towns. This photo ran in the November 26, 1992 South County edition of the then Telegram-Tribune but the image looks to be from the late 20s or early 30s. The print also had a penciled note …
Jul 16
You had to have imagination, optimism and faith to see business opportunity in San Luis Obispo County at the end of the 19th century. Benjamin Brooks saw it in a struggling newspaper printed in a tiny cow town. Since it was founded Aug. 7, 1869, The Tribune had a revolving door of almost a dozen …
Jun 08
A recent story in the Tribune brought back memories for Woody Frey. He was 6 when the Golden Gate bridge was dedicated 75 years ago on May 27, 1937. Pedestrians were given the first day on the span. He is standing at the front right of this San Francisco Chronicle photo. He moved to California …
Mar 05
Steve Zegar was the first man to drive up the grassy sides of Hearst’s Enchanted Hill, before there was a Castle, or even a road. Now that is someone with a story. A story that had to wait decades to be told. Zegar maintained his relationship with Hearst and newspaper and movie mogul’s friends by …
Apr 27
San Luis Obispo city hall circa 1938 on Higuera street where Charles Shoes is today. ©The Tribune Top five signs your fire department needs an overhaul. 1. Fire department catches fire. 2. No hydrant wrench on truck to turn on water. 3. Water pressure only reaches the story below the fire. 4. Second fire engine …
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