HomeMy WebLinkAboutAC Business Item #2 -(Leveille)City of San Luis Obispo, Community Development, 919 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401‐3218, 805.781.7170, slocity.org
Date: October 19, 2017
TO: Cultural Heritage Committee
FROM: Brian Leveille, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: Agenda Correspondence for October 23, 2017 Meeting – Business Item #2-
Queenie Warden Bridge Plaque
Please see the attached revised plaque language for the Queenie Warden Bridge. The proposed
revision includes minor modifications to the language for info that can be adequately
sourced.
Agenda Item: Business #2
Queenie Plaque
Queenie Warden Bridge, 1927 CURRENT DRAFT
This bridge is dedicated to Queenie Warden (1861-1944) in recognition of her civic and social
leadership in San Luis Obispo during its formative years. Queenie came to San Luis Obispo
after marrying pioneer rancher and banker Horatio M. Warden (1828-1912). The construction of
this bridge provided access to the back of the Warden building across the creek.
In addition to raising their family, she became a successful businesswoman and champion of
progressive movements for suffrage and temperance. In 1896, she joined the Political Equality
Club, and two years later began managing the Warden family businesses which included
several downtown buildings and the family’s 3,000-acre Highland Ranch. Queenie co-founded
the Women’s Civic Club in 1915, and in 1917, she became the first woman to run for mayor,
losing by a slim margin to incumbent Dr. W. M. Stover. Queenie was instrumental in working
with the City Council for various civic improvements including a small park near the rail station
(now Triangle Park). In the early 1940s, she was the proprietor of the Rexall store downtown
known as “The People’s Pharmacy.”
She was recognized by the San Francisco Chronical in 1918 as one of a dozen of “California’s
Distinguished Women” for success in business, professions and the arts.1
206 words
Queenie Warden Bridge 1927 PROPOSED REVISION
This bridge is dedicated to Queenie Parr Warden (1861-1944) in recognition of her civic and
social leadership in San Luis Obispo. Queenie came to San Luis Obispo in 1882 after marrying
pioneer rancher and banker Horatio M. Warden (1828-1912).2
In addition to raising their family, she became a successful businesswoman and champion of
progressive movements for suffrage and temperance. In 1898, she began managing the
Warden family businesses which included several downtown buildings and the family’s 3,000-
acre Highland Ranch. Queenie co-founded the Women’s Civic Club in 19153, and in 1917, she
became the first woman to run for mayor, losing by a slim margin to incumbent Dr. W. M.
Stover. Queenie was instrumental in working with the City Council for various civic
improvements including a small park near the rail station (now Triangle Park). the early 1940s,
In 1916, she became the proprietor of the Rexall store downtown known as “The People’s
Pharmacy.” 4
The construction of this bridge provided access to the back of the Warden building across the
San Luis Creek. 225 words
2 Morrison, Annie L. and John H. Haydon: Pioneers of San Luis Obispo County and Environs, Friends of the Adobes,
Inc., 2002, pp. 3-7, 10-13
3 Black, Mary Ellen: Profiles of the Daily Telegram: 1921-1923: Tabula Rasa Press, 1988, : “Queenie Warden” pp.50-
55
4 San Francisco Chronicle, Wednesday, January 16, 1918, p. 59 (https://www.newspapers.com/image/27440398.)