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Read the minutes from the San Miguel Civic Improvement Association in 1902 by clicking here!

Who was our school namesake,
Lillian Larsen?
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Rios-Caledonia Adobe

The Rios-Caledonia Adobe and Gift Shop are open: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am to 4:00 PM.
For more information please call 467-3357 or visit their web site.
The Camp Roberts
Historical Museum
Open Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is FREE. Located on Camp Roberts, the museum is a nonprofit group dedicated to the preservation of the history of Camp Roberts and to the soldiers that trained there. People interested in supporting the museum, as a volunteer or through donations, are encouraged to stop in at the museum or call (805) 238-8288 or 237-0819 for more information. Visit their web site here. Or read about the history of Camp Roberts as a Historic California Post here.
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Support the preservation of the Rios-Caledonia Adobe in San Miguel by purchasing a set of lovely note cards from Questers. Choose from local artist's floral watercolor or photography of historic buildings around San Miguel. Each package of five sells for $6.00 plus shipping. To order please call 805-237-8069.

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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.

Mission San Miguel in 1889
Mission San Miguel in 1889. Photo courtesy of Wally Ohles.

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.


Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Lamb and Paula Fisk, decendants of the Hutson family of San Miguel and the Lambs of San Ardo.

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.

Historic map of San Miguel in 1892
Map of San Miguel in 1892 courtesy of Steve Kalar. Click here for larger image.

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

 
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