South County Historical Society Book Store

Welcome to the

Book Store

	Story of the Arroyo Grande Creek Robert Brown (Soft back, 101 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) This book is literally about the Arroyo Grande Creek; its origins east of the town, the watershed, floods and drought, Lopez Lake (where the creek originates), the path to the ocean, steelhead trout, bridges, and includes maps, graphics, data charts and photographs. Although there are historical references, especially the community of Arroyo Grande, and there is mention of folks who lived along the creek, respecting and utilizing it, the focus of the book is on the effect the Creek has had on the land and the people. $12.95
According to Madge Madge Ditmas (Soft cover, 314 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) Madge began writing for the Arroyo Grande Herald Recorder in 1922 and her book consists of many interviews as well as her personal comments about life during the first part of the 20^th century. She covered many topics, most as short anecdotes, and the book includes illustrations and photographs. There are many references to events, places and specific families from the south county covering roughly the first half of the 20^th century. $18.95
	Avila Beach, Glimpse of Yesterday Janet Farris (Soft cover, 160 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) Janet Farris is a fourth generation Avila Beach resident. With a long time interest in the people who lived in Avila Beach during her grandmother’s lifetime, Janet interviewed many of the “old timers” and she and her husband (also from Avila Beach) collected many photographs and documents about the history of the town. In the early 1990's, Janet wrote a series of articles for a small local newspaper based on her interviews and the collected materials. The book was expanded from the base of those articles. $15.95
The Blond Ranchero Rocky Dana and Marie Harrington (Soft back, 142 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) This book is as told to grand son, Rocky, by Juan Francisco Dana, son of Captain Wm. Dana, born at the Dana Adobe in Nipomo in 1838. An accomplished story teller, Juan shared anecdotes about his youth, focusing on adobe life, his adventures and pioneer families. He was nicknamed, El Huero, the fair haired one. $9.95
	Dune Mother’s Wildflower Guide Malcolm McLeod (Soft back, 91 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) This publication is the work of the local chapter of the CA Native Plant Society. It is a compilation of photographs and descriptions of plants that one encounters on the dunes of south San Luis Obipso County and north Santa Barbara County. Divided into sections based on location within the dunes; shore, foredunes, stabilized dunes, open dunes, glades and wetlands, it is a mini encyclopedia of information about the hundreds of native plants found along the coastal area. $12.95
Defender of the Dunes The Kathleen Goddard Jones Story Virginia Cornell (Soft back, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) When she was nearly 60, Kathleen Goddard Jones began a campaign to save the dunes of the Central Coast from those whose actions would harm the fragile environment; businesses, developers, groups and individuals. This story is about her efforts and her commitment to do just that. $14.95
	Gallant Lady Ruth Paulding (Soft back, 117 pages, 8 ½ x 11) Written as a journal, Ruth lovingly tells the story of her mother, Clara Edwards Paulding, sharing the adventures of an opinionated, lively and adventuresome young woman as a young girl, an educated teacher, wife and mother. The family home, The Paulding History House on Crown Hill in Arroyo Grande, is now a museum with many of the families furnishings on display. $12.00
John Price, Biography Ralph Leonard (Soft back, 148 pages, 8 ½ x 11) This biography of John Price, founder of Pismo Beach, traces his life from England to his many experiences on the central coast and includes many references to places and people from the area. $12.00
	Journey of Justice Gary Hoving (Soft back, 118 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) A history of the Sheriff’s Department in San Luis Obispo County including the many changes over the years, anecdotes about crime fighting in the county, humorous stories, infamous local characters and data about each of the sheriffs. Photographs and charts illustrate the text. $15.00
Memories of the Land Place Names of San Luis Obispo County Mark P. Hall-Patton (Soft back, 160 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) A collection of names of places, communities, streets and land marks in the county, it provides links to the early settlers of the area. Also included are definitions of the many places with Spanish/Mexican names in the area. The book includes an extensive bibliography for those who wish to do further research of place names. $8.95
	Pacific Coast Railway: Southbound to Los Alamos Charlie Johnson, Jr. (Booklet, 22 pages) This booklet was written with help from the Bennett-Loomis Archives and the South County Historical Society and is a history of the Pacific Coast Railway’s growth from San Luis Obispo to Arroyo Grande and on south to Los Alamos. Once the only railroad linking Port San Luis to San Luis Obispo, the tracks actually went to the end of the Harford Pier to facilitate loading goods brought by ship. $1.00
Pozo Diaries Compiled and edited by the Folklore Committee South County Historical Society (Soft back, 131 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ ) The receipt of a molding and stained diary by the Committee led to research identifying the writer, Joseph Bettencourt,. His diary was about himself and the families he knew who lived and worked in Pozo. The book continues the story after the diary ends, providing a comprehensive history of Pozo. $12.00
	Rails Across the Ranchos Loren Nicholson (Soft back, 197 pages, 8 ½ x 11) Prior to the turn of the century, railroad builders were eager to link San Francisco with Los Angeles. Of note are the political and economic factors determining the route to be taken by the large railroad companies. The Pacific Coast narrow gauge railway that went from San Luis Obispo to the Harford Pier in Avila and was gradually extended south, while the Southern Pacific Railroad was heading inland, getting as far as Bakersfield before any lines extended due south of Salinas. The book is the story (with photographs, charts, drawings, graphics) of the building of the railroad along the coast and the long term impact it has had on the area. $18.95
Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - Volume 4 This book is a potpourri of events and stories about the south part of San Luis Obispo County, CA. There are interviews, photographs, bits and pieces of genealogy, community events, poetry and excerpts from diaries. Many locals wrote articles that are included. The book was compiled between 1979 and 1981 $5.00
	Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - Volume 5 This book is more or less a continuation of Volume 4, but it focuses more on the people from each of the communities in the south part of San Luis Obispo County. Each article stands alone as a mini history with information about families who settled in the area. Many of the anecdotes were written by local folks who shared personal experiences and are told conversationally. This book was compiled between 1981 and 1989. $20.00
Terrible Tragedy The booklet is about an unusual local story. . Peter Hemmi and his son Julius were arrested for the murder of their neighbor, Mr. Walker and the wounding of his wife and were being held in lock-up. That same night, March 31, 1886,the guards were tied up and both father and son were hanged from the Pacific Coast Rail Road bridge in Arroyo Grande, CA. The courts declared the hanging was done by "persons unknown", though local stories indicate the responsible parties were some prominent local citizens. $2.80