San Luis Obispo County Regional Photograph Collection

Postcard photo of the San Luis Obispo Courthouse, built in 1873 and demolished in 1940, located on the northwest corner of Monterey and Osos St. Written on front: 'Doesn't this look natural? Have you a picture of the church?' Correspondence written on back: 'Sweet Marie, Bultons and left satisfactory. Thank Kate. Read Letters from Aunt [Ellen?] to-day. [cr] K. has forgotten her. Pet has been having grand times. I wrote you long letter but did not send it. I got me a hat yesterday, Am going fishing with [cr] to morrow. Mrs. F of [Huasua?] called to-day [cr] is still [cr]. They say old lady Oaks is in precarious condition- E'

Postcard of Carnegie Library, bicycle in front. Present day History Center of San Luis Obispo County (Monterey St & Broad St).

San Luis Obispo courthouse, built in 1940. The previous courthouse can be seen behind the new one and was demolished shortly after the construction of its replacement.

View of a crowd around the San Luis Obispo train station. Reverse reads: "Dear mama:- Rec'd your letter + glad you are all well. This [house?] is all well only I had one of my bad head-aches. There is a big fair here there this week. I was in town yesterday + wanted to go to-day, but did not feel well enough. [Maybe?] we will go down to-night. [Lloyd? Floyd?] has been sleeping all the afternoon. How are you all + [Kittie?] Hope this finds you all well. Please write soon." Addressed to Mrs. Ellen Whitaker, Cambria, Cal.

People crowd around the railway station. Text reads "Dear sister + Brother: will drop a line to you. Read your letter and others also received the suitcase. We are well and hope you are also. [Nell Bess?] What about what Bill wrote. Will write a letter in a few days. Write soon From Mergie + John. Mrs. E. L. Noyer Coalinga, Calif.

Believed to be members of the Knights of Pythias, dressed in Native American costume, posing on horses on Marsh Street, San Luis Obispo. A different print of this postcard at the San Luis Obispo History Center is dated July 4, 1908. In the background is the Jack House and Gardens, where women are standing in the garden.

A color view of a street with blooming flowers in San Luis Obispo. Text reads "Mrs. Brooks am with wth Mrs Warden here charged of the [Town?] Building. Ella J. [Yarmin?]"

View of the outside of Defosset Furniture Co on Higuera Street, in an area once known as Angel Block. Located at 653-659 Higuera Street.

The San Luis Obispo Free Library, which is now the History Center of San Luis Obispo County.

Postcard photo of the San Luis Obispo Carnegie Library, built in 1905, photographed before additions were made to the main entrance.

Free Public Library, built in 1905, now the History Center of San Luis Obispo County. Writing on back reads "am going to Seattle as messboy on the Santa Maria will be back in about nine t[o] ten days, Lewis S."

High School

Written on back: 'Dear mama: Read you letter and I am sorry to look to get sick first [cr] soon as [cr]. [cr] by now, but I had a letter from [cr] John [cr] you were feeling pretty good. He said he was sick too. We are all well here. Now mama let me know how you are. The [cr] well long ago, also name Lloyd [cr] you [cr] lord else mama. [Thanks?] Nettie'

From left to right, the Weeks Dormitory, the Administration Building, and the Anderson Hall and Library, all constructed in 1903 and Cal Poly's first structures.

Colorized photo of Cal Poly from adjacent hilltop (present day KVEC radio tower). The Weeks Dormitory, Administration Building, and the Anderson Hall and Library are in view among other buildings.

From left to right, the Household Arts Building, the Administration Building, and the Boys' Dormitory, some of Cal Poly's first structures. The Administration Building and Boys' Dormitory (later known as Dormitory No. 1, Science Hall, and Anderson Hall), were built in 1903. The Household Arts Building was opened in 1906. All three were designed by William H. Weeks.

Presbyterian Church, constructed in 1905 and still standing on the eastern corner of Marsh and Morro St as one of San Luis Obispo's historic buildings.

Constructed in 1905, exists today on the east corner of Marsh and Morro St. Written on back: Dear mama: I rec'd your letter am sorry you did not get mine. I wrote you one just the same. We are all well live and I hope this finds you all well. I have not seen Uncle Johns. Why didn't you come down with them. It is nice and warm here today. Where did Johny got to buy [cr] Write Room. From Nettie

An artificially colored view of Monterey street looking northwest from the Chorro intersection, with Sinsheimer Building and White House visible. Text reads "Dear friends received card and glad to hear that Mary was some better we are [having] some cold foggy weather now I wish it would rain as we need rain so much crops are not very good over here and I suppose about the same over there your friend L. Bagely." Addressed to Mr and Mrs L. King San Miguel San Luis Obispo California.

An artificially colored view of Monterey street looking northwest from the Chorro intersection, with Sinsheimer Building and White House visible.

Ruins of a building on Monterey and Court Streets after a fire.

Color postcard titled "Business Street, San Luis Obispo." Approximately the 800 block of Monterey. On the right is the H. M. Warden Jr. Building with original tower at 846 Higuera. On the left is the Commercial Bank at the corner of Higuera and Chorro.

A colorized view of the 600 block of Monterey St looking north towards Chorro St in San Luis Obispo. Blooming trees and flowers are seen in front of the Hays-Latimer Adobe (in view here http://digital.lib.calpoly.edu/rekl-2258)

View looking southwest on Monterey street at the Osos intersection. J. P. Andrews building visible to the right.

A color photograph or drawing of Monterey street in downtown San Luis Obispo. The Sinsheimer building can be seen on the right hand side of the image. Caption on back of postcard reads: 'San Luis Obispo, a thriving city of over 11,000 population, is situated about midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on U.S. Highway 101. Monterey Street is one of the busy thoroughfares.'

A man rides a horse along a quiet residential area of San Luis Obispo. The back of the postcard indicates the San Luis Variety Store is depicted in the image.

Sinsheimer Bros Building in left-background

Street view of construction of the San Luis Obispo mission plaza.

Street view of construction of the San Luis Obispo mission plaza.

Street view of construction of the San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza.

Colorized photo of a well-known horseshoe curve in present-day Poly Canyon. The bridge pictured crosses Stenner Creek. Written on back: Santa Maria Cal April 9-12 Dear sister- Well write a line or two here I may be up by Saturday as there is only a days worth insight now and may [cr] in [anoyoon?] my way up and go fishing [cr] about a quarter inch of rain yesterday and it looks as though it would rain again tonight [stad?] a good time at the [cr] leap year social. Frank

Written on back: Dear Mother: Got here in good shape "My house" is a neat, clean 3 bedroom one and will be quite handy as soon as I borrow a little furniture from Walter. Lots of farmers are harvesting and we will start Thurs. Will move equipment tom. In the meantime I'll get set up real good. Lots of love, Paul

Postcard with a hand-colored photograph of a passenger train crossing Stenner Creek as it approaches a well-known horseshoe curve in present-day Poly Canyon. Bishop Peak in the background.

Artificially colored photograph of a well-known horseshoe bend near Stenner Creek in present day Poly Canyon.

5th U.S. Cavalry Crossing Mountain, near San Luis, Obispo, Cal.

Artificially colored postcard photograph of "Estrada Gardens".

Artificially colored postcard photograph of "Estrada Gardens". Written on back: 'Sunday: I arrived all right Sat. had meeting from 10 [cr] 60 [cr] in eve I took bar for [cr] went to Martha. Where I am studying. Florena told me to day all about the Ranch [cr] Best regards from [cr]'

Color image of the public park in Paso Robles. Message on front reads, "Feb. 25, 1907. Dear Peter: - Have had a fine [illeg.] again."  Color image of the public park in Paso Robles. Addressed to, "Miss Rose I. [illeg.], San Luis Obispo, California."

A man and woman hugging to the right and the phrase 'Everybody Is Doing It In Paso Robles, Cal.: They Lose No Time!' with a blue pennant to the left. Back of postcard has message that reads: 'Paso Robles. D[illeg.] Friend Doe, No Heidleberg Push cards here. Out with a gun all day. Best [illeg.] [illeg.]' Addressed to 'Dr. N.J. Gunn, 22nd & Bryant St., San Francisco, Calif.'

Two people stand under an oak tree. Back of postcard has a message that reads: 'Many thanks for [illeg.] - appreciate your kindness, Dr. [Henry?].' Addressed to 'Edward F. G'Day E.'

Small brick building with sign reading 'City Jail: Keep Out', and an advertisement on the side that reads 'Chew The Old Reliable.' Back of postcard has a message that reads: 'Paso Robles Aug 30, Dear [illeg.], I was out with a gun all day. It was some storm this afternoon. Thunder and lightning. Everything in darkness this morning as the lightning struck a pole about a mile out of town and wrecked the wires. [But in regards?] Let George do it.' Addressed to Mrs. J.W. Gunn, Cor 22nd & Bryant, San Francisco, Calif.

A blank color postcard of the Motel Inn. The photographer is given as Rod Johnson, while the hosts at the time were Al and Marge Calkins. The Motel Inn was originally known as the Milestone Mo-Tel and was the first successful hotel designed for automobile owners ever. The Motel Inn closed in 1991 and now stands as the administrative building for the hotel next door, The Apple Farm.

A postcard of the Ramona Hotel, J. E. Rowan, prop. "The leading tourist and commercial hotel in San Luis Obispo. All outside rooms, fire proof and up to date. Dear Mrs. King ; - I am so sorry you are not feeling any better. I do hope you will improve soon. With lots of love, Frida Ernst. Addressed to Mrs. L. King, San Miguel, California." Built after the previously wooden building infamously burned down in 1905.

A blank postcard of the Ramona Hotel, J. E. Rowan, prop. This building was constructed after the previously wooden one infamously burnt down in 1905.

A blank postcard of the Hotel Andrews with two automobiles parked in front.

A postcard of the first Hotel Ramona building with two automobiles parked in front. This structure infamously burned down on November 5, 1905 due to a kitchen fire.

A postcard of the Elks Theatre. Message reads "Dear Mama:- We had a very nice trip down. It was very warm after we left Morro. Arrived home about five. Found everything all O. K. even the old sick hen was still alive. Coon was a very happy cat when we got home. He was very poor. They said he would not eat, but I doubt if he got a chance. I have not got him filled up yet. Mama I hope this finds you all well. Nettie." Addressed to Mrs. Ellen Whitaker, Cambria.

A blank postcard of Elks Hall. Some horses pull carts in front of the building.

A postcard for the Elk's Hall at the corner of Morro Street and Marsh Street in San Luis Obispo. Photograph was taken from the northeast corner of Marsh St and Morro St and colorized. Message reads "April 1, 1911 - Dear Friends just seen in the paper that Mary was very sick I do hope this will finde [sic] her better from your friends Bud and Lizzie B, San Luis Obispo 741 High St." Addressed to Mr. L. M. King, San Miguel, San Luis Obispo. This building was constructed in 1906 by Elk's members before being replaced in 1912 by a larger building which has since been extensively renovated over time. Currently the space is occupied by the Heritage Oaks Bank as of March 2017. Source: The San Luis Obispo Tribune, February 22nd, 1943.