HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLO What January 2017History of San Luis Obispo
Joseph A. Carotenuti
City Historian/Archivist
If the new institute of learning ever needed validation, it came on May 9, 1903 when visiting President
Theodore Roosevelt complimented the community for its newest venture and vision for providing for
those who nurture the land “to make his a learned profession.” Farming, the Harvard graduate added “is
not only a practical, but a scientific pursuit.” While he did not elaborate, the Spanish-American War
veteran undoubtedly wished he had the advantages of the “learned profession” before he had tried
ranching with miserable results. “The earth tiller, the soil tiller, the man of the farms, the man of the
ranches… stands as the one citizen indispensable to the entire community.” Farming fed – and still feeds
-America.
So, the saga of Cal Poly began located on the periphery of the community primarily involved in agriculture in a
countryside populated by dairies. Some traces of the past continue today at the now-university with its many
departments and accomplishments, but the vision of its founder, Myron Angel, continues a tradition of “hands-
on” learning.
As the first decade of the 20th century drew to a close, locals had a great deal to reflect upon besides the fledgling
polytechnic institute. In ten years, the magic of PROGRES, the railroad, finally connected the central coast to
the rest of the world and the visit by two sitting Presidents (the last to do so) was undoubtedly seen as
confirmation of the new status of the small community. The Federal Census tallied 5157 residents for the
community in a county nearing 20 thousand. Just 10 years previous, it barely counted 3000.
Indeed, in the daily requirements of life, there were probably few who recognized that in the last 60 years, the
new city and county had entered the nation along with the 31st State, changed national allegiance from Mexico
to the United States, suffered with the Nation through the great Civil War among other conflicts, gone from
mission settlement to cityhood, connected to the world via the iron horse and sought cultural amenities typified
by the opening of the library. There was much more as the drama of life had a never-ending series of scenes for
both the individual and collective population.
It is from the luxury of historical perspective that the past seems to highlight some, diminish others, and generally
forgets most. History also provides previews of coming attractions (and distractions) unavailable to those
struggling and succeeding in the mundane of the day. Who would have envisioned going from a parochial civil
conflict to one involving the world? The nation would change…indeed, much of the world, but San Luis Obispo
would have little to do with the first “war to end all wars” but became heavily involved with the second.
Nonetheless, the emerging and evolving
community sought to create its own future amid
the turmoil of the times. There were more
changes in the future…this time as to what kind
of City the residents envisioned in the new
century.
A new vision for the municipality vision was
not initially appreciated.
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
1/17
HISTORY of SAN LUIS OBISPO