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HISTORY of SAN LUIS OBISPO
History of San Luis Obispo
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
One may wonder as President William McKinley planned his train excursion around the Nation, there was even any
concern (or knowledge) that there was a connection along the central coast. President Rutherford B. Hayes rode the
rails from Washington, D. C. to San Francisco as did President Benjamin Harrison in 1891 to Santa Barbara. Both
stopped at the end of the (then) line. In what must have been both irritating and confusing, a convenient stop
between San Francisco and southern California was simply bypassed for the more inland rout e. There had been
additions to the coastal line since the train’s arrival in San Luis Obispo in 1894 but there were some who were
grateful the President was coming to town. The rails needed to be ready for his visit on May 10, 1901.
“Never in its history has San Luis been thronged with such a crowd as was present last night,” proclaimed the
Tribune, “but never before in its history has our city received a president.” Being a slight part of the 10,000 mile
presidential journey across America, the community “for an hour at least” would be the “seat of government.” For in
that hour, American democracy as embodied by its president would leave a memorable impression on the
municipality. Rather than rumbling by as was dictated by most of his California itinerary, President McKinley was
going to stop and pay a visit. It was heady acknowledgement that San Luis Obispo – finally - was more than an
insignificant hamlet between the northern and southern regions of the Golden State.
Running for office at the turn of the last century was vastly different from the mega-million dollar campaigns of
today. During his campaign, McKinley confined himself to receiving supporters from the front porch of his home in
Canton, Ohio (except on Sundays). However, as president, he wanted to meet his constituency. After the victories in
the Spanish-American War, he was now the leader of a world power!
When the local officials were notified of the presidential visit in early April, the railroad from the south had just
begun linking passenger and freight service with the rails from the north.
Officially, the rail connection was completed on the last day of 1900 with regular service being inaugurated in late
March. When McKinley and his entourage boarded their train in Washington, D.C. on April 29, they would be the
most famous rail visitors to the community… “one of the first fruits” of the huge step in the community’s link to the
rest of America. Personal and civic pride must have been unparalleled in the municipality’s history.
Planning for the event involved anyone interested in helping. Parade routes, receptions, etc. would demonstrate to
the Chief Executive that the community might be small in number (about 3000), but huge in good will. Contrary to
the great expectations by the community, when the final schedule was presented to the local planning committee, the
entire event was confined to one hour…and no more.
It can only be imagined the anticipation and exhilaration
as the crowd heard the arriving whistle of the locomotive
bringing the President…and Progress…to the city.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
5/2016