What happened to the Murray Adobe and why should we care? Today’s column addresses the second question; Wednesday’s will address the first. Walter Murray was one of key formative personalities in San Luis Obispo County as the region made the transition from Mexican rule to American. The English born and educated in law, Murray came …
Tag Archive: Mission San Luis Obispo
Feb 02
Murray Adobe in Mission Plaza
The previous two posts showed what the in the 1960s. By 1973 only the lean-to portion remained, the main house replaced by an arbor. What happened? The answer next week. By now you may recognize the building as the Murray Adobe, law office of Tribune founding editor Walter Murray. It is in Mission Plaza between …
Dec 28
You can leave your hat off, changing fashion in the 1960s
Covering the head is a religious custom that can vary depending on doctrine, degree of orthodoxy, local practice and the tenor of the time. Orthodox Jewish men and boys wear the yarmulke. Conservative Muslim women don the hijab. In the late 1960s among the many changes in the air was the lacy mantilla falling out …
Jun 11
Mission San Luis Obispo, adobe with wood walls – The Leonard Collection
A misguided attempt to protect the adobe walls of Mission San Luis Obispo almost destroyed the structure. Building a Mission is a classic 4th grade history project but the story is more complex than most of us learn in 4th grade. Adobe buildings are built with materials at hand, dirt, sand and straw by the …
Dec 12
Drive through urban planning and Mission Plaza
Urban planning is a complex business. Change requires vision, political skill, money and sometimes an out of control egg truck. An ironic turn when you think about it. The town that has outlawed drive through businesses has its most beloved public space courtesy of an unintended drive through. An unbylined story that sounds like the …
Aug 26
Play it twice Freddie, We Are the Champions
Unprecedented in the state and perhaps the nation, one city simultaneously celebrated university and high school football championships. The magical season began thirty years ago for Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo High School. San Luis had lost to Lompoc earlier in the season 15-11. The Tigers finished the season with a 7-0 upset win …
Sep 08
John F. Kennedy assassination
November 22, 1963 These images turned up while looking through the Kennedy biography folders in the wake of Teddy Kennedy’s death. In the original post outlining newspaper coverage of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy it appeared there had been no local images. These images were probably made by staff photographer Neil Norum …
Jul 27
First San Luis Obispo Mozart Festival, 1971
August 9, 1971 How often do world class musicians come to your neighborhood? As it turns out, every year since 1971. It began when Cal Poly professor Clifton Swanson put together a 3 day classical music festival. From the beginning he was able to drew in musicians of stature, from the New Age String Quartet …
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