HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO What Aug 2016
History of San Luis Obispo
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
Somehow, President Theodore Roosevelt seemed to expand time in his one hour visit to the tiny town of San Luis
Obispo in May 1903. He led a carriage parade from the train station to the Mission, toured the venerable structure and
delivered a speech praising the accomplishments of the rural community.
There had been official notice against any public gathering requiring much handshaking and the time -consuming
greetings. Officials were still vividly aware TR’s predecessor, William McKinley, being assassinated just 2 years
previous. Indeed, the public was even cautious about cheering the 26th President as he started his brief visit. For the
speech, directions indicated the admirers were to keep well away from the newly built stand in today’s Mitchell Park.
His remarks were sure to include praise for the local agricultural efforts. Having tried ranching himself, the wealthy
Easterner knew the “tiller of the soil” fed the country. Looking around, he knew many of these same men of the farms
laid down their plows to take up arms in the Civil War. Attending as a mounted Honor Guard, the President
acknowledged the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) as those who proved true in “the hour of the nation’s
agony…their practice preaches louder than any words of mine could.” The crowd agreed in robust applause. No stranger
to combat, he had formed his own military company. Colonel Roosevelt – a title he treasured all his life – experienced
war as he actively led his men in the bloody battle of San Juan Hill in Cuba.
A frequent theme on his many stops, TR reiterated his pleasure at noting the affluence of the Golden State. While
“material prosperity” was congratulated, it was a “better thing to bring up children.” He was impressed by the schools
and sent a “special greeting to the future, to the children, to those who are to be the men and women of the next
generation; and upon whom it will depend whether this country goes forward or not.” An essential message, he
reiterated: “I like the way…you are training the children to citizenship of the future.”
He was sure to make note of the newly-founded California Polytechnic School (Note: more on the founding of Cal Poly
in this month’s Journal Plus magazine). A Harvard graduate, the practical president knew the nation needed more than
intellectual training on the road to greatness. Lauding the wage-earner and the home-maker, the President shared his
vision of the future in “what will count for most is the average character of the individual citizen…that is what counts in
the long run in making a nation.” Often lost in the complicati ons of Progress, the President spoke to the essence of a
democracy.
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Local history lost an admirer and writer when Loren Nicholson passed away recently. An exper ienced journalist, Loren
taught for years at Cal Poly and left behind innumerable articles and books remembering our heritage. Any time spent
listening to the Loren was time spent learning. As time passes and the passions
of the moment – both personal and historically – cool in the winds of time,
Loren will continue to address those willing to read. While there is no
local medal of honor for his contributions, he will be sorely missed by
this writer and those who treasure our heritage.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
8/2016
HISTORY of SAN LUIS OBISPO