HomeMy WebLinkAboutSLOWhat November 2017
For those just tuning in, we’ve been talking with local
pioneer Charles Henry Johnson. He arrived here in
the 1850s having been born in Baltimore, Maryland.
His life’s adventures provide some fascinating
insights into our history as well as life in America
before the discovery of electricity! We’ll focus on
how he – and other pioneers – arrived in our valley.
His comments are in quote marks.
How did you get to California?
“First, let me say that while my formal education
at Ashbury was not completed, I had ample
opportunities to learn in my youth. I believe in a
quality education and when at sea, I had even more
opportunities to read, wonder and wander the world.
While to some, a seafaring life might sound like
one of adventure, it was also a life of boredom and
tedious days. I had many hours and days to write
as well. In hindsight, my seafaring days proved
most beneficial to both my health and prosperity. I
enjoyed seeing as much of the world as possible.
Eventually, I returned home and decided to bring
a shipload of goods to the Sandwich Islands. It
was during that trip that I wrote an extensive diary
describing some of the splendid places I was able to
explore. I kept the diary as it reminded me of some
glorious adventures.”
I can certainly underscore that as I’ve read your
journal from your voyage to today’s Hawaiian
Islands. And how did this trip result in your life in
California? (Note: There is a copy of the journal in
the History Center.)
“Well, after an eight-month journey around Cape
Horn, my partner, John Finley, and I arrived in
Honolulu with the square-rigger Rhone loaded with
goods for sale. However, in late July we changed
our plans as news came of the hostilities ending
in the Union. By mid-August, we anchored in San
Francisco. We were told we were the first American
vessel to do so after the end to the hostilities.”
(Note: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was
finalized on February 2, 1848, but it would take
months for the news to travel to Hawaii.)
“We established the business house of Finley,
Johnson and Company – the first in town. Our cargo
sold quickly for about $100,000. We continued
to prosper with imports from Peru, Chili, Mexico
and the Islands. We just might have continued in
the growing town, especially after the gold boom,
if it hadn’t been for the fires. Over the next four
years, our business suffered great loses from the
fire plague and the growing mayhem as a result
of the influx of gold seekers. I thought it best to go
elsewhere.”
…to San Luis Obispo?
“Not directly. First, I moved to Monterey. You see,
I was now 28 and had met the step-daughter of a
fellow seaman. She changed my life.”
I look forward to hearing about your time in the old
capital.
“Thank you. I’ll relate how a murder helped my
moving here.”
Contact: jacarotenuti@gmail.com
Visit: www.joefromslo.com 11/2017
History of SLO: Pioneers’ Story
WITH JOSEPH CAROTENUTI, CITY HISTORIAN/ARCHIVIST