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Historic Cambria. Originally founded as Rosaville, (named for nearby Santa Rosa Creek), Cambria was
settled in the early 1860s. Back when the area was busy with whaling, mining, and logging, Cambria was known as
Slabtown. Rugged as the town was, the name referred not to tombstones but to the slabs of rough wood used in
building construction.
By most accounts, the name Cambria reflects the British heritage of its early settlers and its post office officially
became Cambria on January 10, 1870. It drew sustenance from nearby copper and quicksilver mines. By the
1880s, it had become an active center of shipping, mining, dairy farming, logging, and ranching. It was also the
second largest town in the county.
In 1871, the company of Bower & Baker established the Excelsior Cheese Factory at a point four miles north of
Cambria. In May, 1872, they were making cheese at the rate of 1,200 pounds a day. Timber from Cambria's great
stands of Monterey Pine were hauled by oxen to be used for construction in San Luis Obispo, there being few real
roads at the time. Minerals, dairy products and cattle hides were loaded onto schooners in San Simeon bay until
1874, when William Leffingwell built a pier in the cove near Cambria. In 1872, Mr. Leffingwell and his sons built a
flour mill in Cambria. The mill cost $8000, and was capable of producing twenty-five barrels of flour a day.
When the railroad lines were extended into San Luis Obispo in 1894, Cambria was left isolated, causing a decline
in coastal shipping. Finally, more than a quarter century later, the first improved road into Cambria was completed,
ending a long period of isolation. A Brief History of Cambria.
settled in the early 1860s. Back when the area was busy with whaling, mining, and logging, Cambria was known as
Slabtown. Rugged as the town was, the name referred not to tombstones but to the slabs of rough wood used in
building construction.
By most accounts, the name Cambria reflects the British heritage of its early settlers and its post office officially
became Cambria on January 10, 1870. It drew sustenance from nearby copper and quicksilver mines. By the
1880s, it had become an active center of shipping, mining, dairy farming, logging, and ranching. It was also the
second largest town in the county.
In 1871, the company of Bower & Baker established the Excelsior Cheese Factory at a point four miles north of
Cambria. In May, 1872, they were making cheese at the rate of 1,200 pounds a day. Timber from Cambria's great
stands of Monterey Pine were hauled by oxen to be used for construction in San Luis Obispo, there being few real
roads at the time. Minerals, dairy products and cattle hides were loaded onto schooners in San Simeon bay until
1874, when William Leffingwell built a pier in the cove near Cambria. In 1872, Mr. Leffingwell and his sons built a
flour mill in Cambria. The mill cost $8000, and was capable of producing twenty-five barrels of flour a day.
When the railroad lines were extended into San Luis Obispo in 1894, Cambria was left isolated, causing a decline
in coastal shipping. Finally, more than a quarter century later, the first improved road into Cambria was completed,
ending a long period of isolation. A Brief History of Cambria.
| By the next steamer, a trusty agent will be dispatched to San Francisco with samples of ore for thorough assay, and arrangements will be made by him to procure such machinery and retorts as will be necessary to place the quicksilver mines in the way of working out the problem of their own value. We understand that one pound of ore from these mines was placed in a common retort this week, and yielded one ounce of pure quicksilver. Let us hope that the Pine Buttes discovery will turn out well, and that another New Almaden will be developed in that portion of our county. Quicksilver prospects in this region are certainly looking up finely. Quicksilver prospects in this region are certainly looking up finely. |
| Excerpt from The Tribune, San Luis Obispo, November 18, 1871- Our neighbors in the usually quiet town of Cambria are in the midst of an intense mining excitement. Some six months ago a man named Haskins was prospecting in the region known as the Pine Buttes, some eleven miles from Cambria, for a site for a sawmill. Being an old miner, his attention was attracted to certain outcroppings on the side of a mountain, and he forthwith commenced exploring in true miner style. His research was soon rewarded by promising traces of quicksilver and streaks of fine-looking cinnabar. With a few specimens, he returned to Cambria, and made known the fact of his discovery to some of the solid men of that burgh, who organized a company, raised some funds, and started Haskins back to his claim with tools and supplies. Satisfied that a lead of cinnabar ran through the mountains, Mr. Haskins explored it for some time. |
Restoration work on the historic Guthrie-Bianchini house
in Cambria was suspended in mid-October and won’t restart until
the Cambria Historical Society can raise at least $150,000 to
complete the project.
The Victorian-era structure, one of the oldest houses in Cambria, is
on the National Register of Historic Places. The original portion was
built in 1870.
The society hopes to restore the Guthrie- Bianchini house and use it
for a historical museum and community center.
in Cambria was suspended in mid-October and won’t restart until
the Cambria Historical Society can raise at least $150,000 to
complete the project.
The Victorian-era structure, one of the oldest houses in Cambria, is
on the National Register of Historic Places. The original portion was
built in 1870.
The society hopes to restore the Guthrie- Bianchini house and use it
for a historical museum and community center.
The past is very much a part of the present in quaint downtown Cambria where historic buildings and monuments
such as the glass encased Piedras Blancas Lighthouse lens stand, while a lawn-bowling green commands a
prominent place on Main Street.
such as the glass encased Piedras Blancas Lighthouse lens stand, while a lawn-bowling green commands a
prominent place on Main Street.
To help with the Cambria Historical Society’s drive to restore the historic Guthrie-Bianchini house and garden, send
donations to P.O. Box 906, Cambria, CA 93428. For details, call (805) 927-2891 and leave a message.
donations to P.O. Box 906, Cambria, CA 93428. For details, call (805) 927-2891 and leave a message.
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Cambria History
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