HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO What June 2016
HISTORY of SAN LUIS OBISPO
History of San Luis Obispo
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
The final link in the railroad’s national ribbon of iron in 1901 along the central coast rewarded the community with the visit of
President William McKinley. True, the visit was much too short but rather than expressing disappointment, the planners were even
more attentive to assuring a grand welcome for the distinguished guests. Undoubtedly, for McKinley, it was just another stop in a
long series of stops as he greeted America.
The President had a demanding schedule and punctuality was expected. Southern Pacific printed a timetable listing every stop
covering Friday, May 10 from Santa Barbara to Tuesday May 14 in San Francisco. The President’s Special had the “absolute right
of track over all trains” which were required to clear the tracks thirty minutes ahead of the august travelers.
Finally…he arrived.
As the train whistle announced the imminent appearance of the President and his entourage of 43, the ecstatic community was
ready to show the easterners that the municipality was worth the stop. Who would have guessed that the Grand Tour in a gesture
to underscore that the states were indeed united also would become a presidential farewell journey?
Mayor William Shipsey (1900-1902) greeted President McKinley and his party regretting their brief visit would not afford them
an opportunity to “feast your eyes on the magnificent beauties of nature and on the homes in and around town.” The community
originally planned to give a 21 gun salute followed by a parade to show off its development as a modern city. While so many
communities might tout their agricultural superiority, San Luis Obispo wanted a procession so the President could admire
residences. Was there a better image of maturity and stability than homes build for families? Expressing the community’s hope
for “continued success” in his administration, Shipsey concluded saluting the continued “prosperity and integrity” of America.
“Amid the wildest cheers and utmost enthusiasm,” McKinley rose and thanked the assembly. “If all goes well with his country,”
noted the Chief Executive, “all is likely to go well with him.” Since a fundamental tenent of democracy was the right to vote,
“Good citizenship is indispensable to good government.” There were undoubtedly many in the audience devoted to having women
as part of the voting citizenry. While a decade away, many undoubtedly appreciated a friendly ear from the city’s guest and,
especially, his wife…who while accompanying her husband did not join him in his reception at the Ramona Hotel.
Unfortunately, the First Lady was reported as suffering from a “felon” (inflammation of a finger). Such a minor occurrence, hardly
worth mentioning, became the genesis of a series of decisions that changed history. Ida McKinley’s small cut to an index finger
became infected, and now, the wound turned into blood poisoning. In San Luis Obispo, her health continued to deteriorate rapidly
as her husband fulfilled his duties. Within a few days, in San Francisco, fearing the First Lady would not survive, the procession
stopped. The Grand Tour was derailed.
Ironically, the pioneer Sandercock Transfer Company had placed a picture of McKinley in the center of a flag display with t he
prophetic legend: “We Will Never Look on His Like Again.”
CONTACT: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
6/2016