HomeMy WebLinkAboutSept 2015 SLOWhat
HISTORY of SAN LUIS OBISPO History of San Luis Obispo 30
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
Arriving in 1883, Myron Angel continued to be a major booster for the small community. His praise included noting
that gas and water were becoming increasingly available to residents with a volunteer fire department housed in the
first city hall. Transportation was eased as the narrow-gauge railroad traveled south to Los Alamos. Indeed, these
were heady times as the Andrews Hotel opened its doors on July 3, 1885. If the Nation was to celebrate its
Independence the next day, the opening of the Andrews proclaimed the first day in a San Luis Obispo staking its
claim as a new, more cosmopolitan community.
Not only would travelers be greeted and pampered in the luxurious hotel, but their journey would already have been
a quicker and more pleasant experience. Until the train pulled into the small community traveling south required (1)
if you lived north of the Cuesta Pass, a ride over the Pass on horseback, wagon, or stage (not the elevated route used
today but the approximate one called Stagecoach Road) (2) transferring to the narrow-gauge cars at the station at
Higuera and South Streets, eventually wending through the countryside to Los Olivos and (3) disembarking for
another stage over the mountain to Santa Barbara to board the southbound train. The trip was identical for th ose
starting in the south of the state. Besides time-consuming, travel was expensive and required a pioneer’s preparation
for the journey. With the new connection, at least, traveling to San Luis Obispo from the north would be a much
easier ordeal.
Every convenience was considered for guests. The Andrews expected a discerning clientele and the hotel would rival
any accommodation of San Francisco. Furnishings for 112 rooms came from that city and required close attention to
guarantee arrival from the Bay area to Port Harford. Expensive curtains, “fine paintings in rich frames, soft velvet
and Brussels carpets, grand mirrors” among many amenities declared the hotel belonged in a progressive and
cultured community. Besides smaller rooms for commercial travelers, large suites were provided, some with a dumb
waiter so food could be delivered into the suite from the kitchen below. A 37’x 60’ dining room also doubled as a
ballroom. Each room had hot and cold running water, fireplaces and “electric call bells.”
When the train finally did arrive (soon, most hoped especially the investors), passengers would be rewarded with the
utmost in taste and luxury. It never happened.
Myron Angel is an essential presence in our history. More on this legendary resident is found i n the month’s Journal
Plus.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com 09/2015