HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Hall Anniversary Brochure FINAL696 Monterey Street
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: 805-543-0638
Fax: 805-783-2919
www.slohistorycenter.org
1958: Photographed here are Mr. Schofield, Mr. J. Fitzpatrick, Mr. Tompson,
Mr. Romero, Miss P. Clark, Mr. Flory, Mr. Schlobohm, and Mr. R. Miller.
Celebrating the
60th Anniversary
of City Hall
History Center of
San Luis Obispo County
Finally, a contract was given to O. R. Ochs and
Company to construct the current building. At a
total cost of $319,400 (including the three lots,
architect and building fees, and furniture), the
dedication was held on May 3, 1952 with the first
meeting called to order two days later by Mayor
Timothy I. O’Reilly. Then – as now – a plaque
donated by the Native Sons commemorated the
event and proclaimed the mission of those
governing as “Truth, Liberty, and Tolerance.”
The Telegraph-Tribune carried extensive articles
on this major civic event.
Initially, the building was much larger than needed
for City business and various functions were held
in the lower level. Over the years, renovations to
accommodate increased usage and staff have
masked some of the original decorations but not
the efforts of the staff.
Current City Hall
Brochure design by Vanessa Dao
While San Luis Obispo was designated
the County Seat of Justice by the State
Legislature on February 16, 1850, there
were few individuals living in the new
County – and no municipal buildings.
The convento wing of the Mission (facing
the Plaza) served as the first County
facility, including a jail, and any commun-
ity functions used a business or home for
meetings.
On March 20, 1876, the Town of San
Luis Obispo was not only legislatively
designated a City but granted the author-
ity to issue bonds in the amount of
$15,000. One provision allowed for the
construction of a city hall, jail, and
“engine-house” …all in a single building.
A distinct sign of progress, 13 offers were
made to either sell or donate lots as the site
of the first city offices. A selection was made
to accept the offer of Max Pepperman and
Nathan Goldtree for a lot facing Higuera
Street. Built at a total cost of under $7500,
the two story wood structure was capped by
a tower and fire bell with the street level
reserved for fire equipment.
Many a night’s sleep was disturbed by the
alarm announcing another attack by the “fire
fiend” and the constant fear of the entire
town being reduced to ashes. Late evening
on August 28, 1938, there was a fire but no
alarm as the tower was ablaze! The loss of
the tower signaled a long decline as the
First City Hall structure became less and less safe or
useful. One comment made was “The
city council adjourned on motion of the
building!” In 1948, the lot and building
were sold for $37,000 and the proceeds
placed in a separate account until there
were sufficient funds to build a new
City Hall.