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San Miguel History
by Wally Ohles

It is easy to understand that people would like to live in the area of Mission San Miguel; the climate is almost ideal. Since prehistoric times, people have lived in the area that now surrounds the Mission and the town of San Miguel. The Franciscan Padre, Fermin Francisco de Lasuen (who was the successor of Padre Junipero Serra) founded Mission San Miguel on July 25, 1797. It was named for the "Most Glorious Prince of the Celestial Militia, Archangel Saint Michael."

In 1806, twenty-seven huts were constructed, to be used as living quarters for the local Indians. During the year 1810, thousands of adobe bricks were made and stored; they were to be used in the construction of the present church. In 1816, the stone foundations for the church were put in place.

By 1815, the workers at San Miguel were furnishing wine and wool for the Spanish soldiers who were occupying Alta California.

The beginnings of a "town" at San Miguel would have been the construction of the two-story adobe, known today as the Rios-Caledonia Adobe. (In later years, a "town" grew up between this adobe building and the Mission). The adobe was constructed in 1835, and served as headquarters for the administrator, appointed by the Mexican government. On July 14-1836, Ygnacio Coronel was in charge; he and his family lived in the adobe. Ynocente Garcia replaced Coronel on March 30, 1837. At that time, it is probable that there were no buildings, other than the Mission Complex.

By 1871, a stagecoach ran daily from San Miguel to San Luis Obispo. The first known office of Wells, Fargo & Co in San Miguel was shown on an 1874 map of San Luis Obispo County; the office site was in Goldtree's store, which was situated on the mesa where the cemetery is located today. In 1868, the stage station had been moved from the Mission to the Rios-Caledonia building, because it was deemed safer than at the Mission - a band of bandits had ridden up just as the stage was leaving the Mission, and shot the driver.

In 1874, Walter M. Jeffreys opened a hotel. The "town" consisted of a school house, stable, at least two saloons, an express office and a post office. There was a paint shop, owned and operated by Nathan & Issac Goldtree, and a blacksmith and wagon shop, owned by Croxford and Woodworth. Shortly before the arrival of the railroad, a disastrous fire leveled the town. The new town of San Miguel was rebuilt north of the Mission.

The Southern Pacific Railroad reached San Miguel on October 8, 1886; the name of the Mission was applied to the station. The post office is listed in 1887.

Many wonderful history books about the Mission, San Miguel and the County written by local historians are available at the Rios-Caledonia gift shop. Call them at 467-3357. You can also visit several great websites on our Related Links page: Mission San Miguel website; History of Mission San Miguel link