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In the summer of 1542, Juan Rodriquez Cabrillo, a Portugese navigator, sailed northward from Point Estero in Central California. As he passed large white rocks offshore, he entered upon his chart "Piedras Blancas." Cabrillo then entered a bay which he called the "Bay of Sardines", anchoring and landing there. This is now called the Bay of San Simeon. Named for Saint Simeon, San Simeon was a holding of the ranch of Mission San Miguel, which was in use as early as 1819. Indians from Mission San Miguel were used to clear and construct the cart trail which would be adequate to haul logs from the headwaters of Santa Rosa Creek. This crude cart trail was extended to the ocean and to the Bay of San Simeon, most likely making use of the trade routes previously established by the Indians. The sandy beaches near San Simeon were perfect for landing and embarking cargo. The bay had been used as early as 1800 for the purpose of dealing with unauthorized trading vessels. Ships were required, by the Mexican government, to pay duties at Monterey; this payment authorized a ship to trade anywhere in California until it had fIlled its hold with hides and tallow: If a ship's captain had not paid the duties, he was considered to be a smuggler. |
Historic Mining Near San Simeon In 1862, the first cinnabar mine to be located in San Luis Obispo County was found by a party of Mexicans on the summit of the Santa Lucia Range, midway between San Simeon and Paso Robles on the headwaters of Santa Rosa Creek. Cinnabar is a common ore of mercury, it was used by the local Chumash Indians for paint. Named the Josephine Mine, it was soon sold to Barron & Company of San Francisco, who erected an old-style intermittent furnace and worked the mine for three years. It produced $280,000 worth of quicksilver, a fortune at that time. Over 150 cinnabar claim were recorded in the area, the croppings averaging from two to eight percent quicksilver. Gold was also found in various gulches and creeks in the area. In 1883, it was reported that nuggets worth over five dollars were being found at Santa Rosa Creek. A copper boulder estimated to weigh over 1000 tons was rumored to also exist on Santa Rosa Creek. Small amounts of malachite were also found. |
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San Simeon California Chamber of Commerce
www.sansimeonchamber.com
805-927-3500
Cambria California Chamber of Commerce (serves same area)
www.cambriachamber.org
805-927-3624
More about San Simeon, California
Founded: 1852
Unincorporated
Lodging in San Simeon
www.sansimeonchamber.com
805-927-3500
Cambria California Chamber of Commerce (serves same area)
www.cambriachamber.org
805-927-3624
More about San Simeon, California
Founded: 1852
Unincorporated
Lodging in San Simeon
History of San Simeon
San Simeon Pier was used by William Randolph Hearst to
off-load building materials, furniture, and of course, the
world-famous art collection that adorns Hearst Castle today.
William Randolph Hearst built other warehouses near the pier to
house material and goods, which were later taken to the castle.
During the years of 1840 to 1846, three governors of Mexican California made grants of land from property which
had belonged to Mission San Miguel. Governor Juan B. Alvarado made five grants. Governor Alvarado's last grant
from San Miguel land was that of Rancho San Simeon. Jose Ramon Estrada received 4,468.81 acres on October 1,
1842 .
had belonged to Mission San Miguel. Governor Juan B. Alvarado made five grants. Governor Alvarado's last grant
from San Miguel land was that of Rancho San Simeon. Jose Ramon Estrada received 4,468.81 acres on October 1,
1842 .
By 1852, a whaling station was established at the natural harbor found at San Simeon Point. At one time there
were forty-five buildings on Point San Simeon. They included the general store, a blacksmith shop, a barbershop,
and a saloon. During its whaling period, about twenty-two families lived on the point. Most of them were employed
by the whaling industry. The general store served the whalers, their families, and the people who lived and worked
on the ranchos. Sebastian's General Store is now a state historical landmark.
There were no roads to this area. Most visitors and freight arrived by sailing ship at a crude wharf. In rough
weather, passengers would land with the aid of a rope chair.
were forty-five buildings on Point San Simeon. They included the general store, a blacksmith shop, a barbershop,
and a saloon. During its whaling period, about twenty-two families lived on the point. Most of them were employed
by the whaling industry. The general store served the whalers, their families, and the people who lived and worked
on the ranchos. Sebastian's General Store is now a state historical landmark.
There were no roads to this area. Most visitors and freight arrived by sailing ship at a crude wharf. In rough
weather, passengers would land with the aid of a rope chair.
In 1865 Senator George Hearst bought 45,000 acres including all
of the San Simeon Rancho. The port of San Simeon began
shipping products of mining, ranching and whaling.
By 1878, the whaling industry had declined. Without sufficient
employment, the village began to disappear. The general store
was moved on horse-drawn skids to its present site, which
became the new location of the village of San Simeon. At the same
time, Senator Hearst had a new wharf constructed. The pier
handled shipments for the quicksilver (mercury) mines in the area.
of the San Simeon Rancho. The port of San Simeon began
shipping products of mining, ranching and whaling.
By 1878, the whaling industry had declined. Without sufficient
employment, the village began to disappear. The general store
was moved on horse-drawn skids to its present site, which
became the new location of the village of San Simeon. At the same
time, Senator Hearst had a new wharf constructed. The pier
handled shipments for the quicksilver (mercury) mines in the area.
In 1878 a first-class hotel, the Bay View, was built in San Simeon and a stage line had been established to
Cambria. A telegraph line was constructed and provided a direct line to San Luis Obispo. In 1914, Manual
Sebastian purchased the general store, and today it is still owned by the Sebastian family. The general store
housed the first post office in San Simeon until 1905, when it was moved onto the pier. In 1945, it was again
located in Sebastian's store where it remains today.
Cambria. A telegraph line was constructed and provided a direct line to San Luis Obispo. In 1914, Manual
Sebastian purchased the general store, and today it is still owned by the Sebastian family. The general store
housed the first post office in San Simeon until 1905, when it was moved onto the pier. In 1945, it was again
located in Sebastian's store where it remains today.
Simeon to travelers from around the world. Following the death of
William Randolph Hearst in 1951, the Hearst family donated a
plot of land on the beach to be used as a day facility and to be
called William Randolph Hearst Memorial Park.
William Randolph Hearst in 1951, the Hearst family donated a
plot of land on the beach to be used as a day facility and to be
called William Randolph Hearst Memorial Park.
In 1952, the southern "Arbuckle" tract of rancho San Simeon was subdivided into 64 one-acre lots and named
"San Simeon Acres" by developer Walter Southhall. With little available water, the lots were slow to sell. Southhall
would park his car along the highway, and sit all day with a sign adverstising ocean-front lots for $5000.
In 1959, Hearst Castle opened to the public and the motel boom began.
"San Simeon Acres" by developer Walter Southhall. With little available water, the lots were slow to sell. Southhall
would park his car along the highway, and sit all day with a sign adverstising ocean-front lots for $5000.
In 1959, Hearst Castle opened to the public and the motel boom began.
