According to Madge

By Madge Ditmas

$18.95, SCHS, (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 20th 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 20th century.

Story of the Arroyo Grande Creek

By Robert Brown

$12.95, SCHS, (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 Although there are historical references, especially the community of Arroyo Grande, and there is mention of folks who lived along the creek, respecting and utilizing it, the focus of the book is on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.

Avila, Glimpse of Yesterday

By Janet Farris

$15.95, SCHS, (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.

The Blond Ranchero

By Rocky Dana and Marie Harrington

$9.95, SCHS, (soft cover, 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.

Dune Mother’s Wildflower Guide

By Malcolm McLeod

$12.95, SCHS, (soft cover, 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 Obispo 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.

Gallant Lady

By Ruth Paulding

$12.00, SCHS, (soft cover, 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.

Journey of Justice

By Gary Hoving

$15.00, SCHS, (soft cover, 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.

Memories of the Land Place Names of San Luis Obispo County

By Mark P. Hall-Patton

$8.95, SCHS, (soft cover, 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.

Pozo Diary

Compiled by the Folklore Committee, SCHS

$12.00, SCHS, (soft cover, 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.

Rails Across the Ranchos

By Loren Nicholson

$18.95, SCHS, (soft cover, 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.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - Volume 4

$5.00, SCHS

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

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow - Volume 5

$20.00, SCHS

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.

Terrible Tragedy

$2.80, SCHS

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.

To Discourage Me is No Easy Matter

By Joseph Dana

$20.00, SCHS, (soft cover, 91 pages, 5 ½ x 8 ½ )

This book recounts the life of William Goodwin Dana: as pioneer, adventurer, entrepreneur, a person who overcame childhood adversity, a public servant, even an author of some captivating letters. During the course of his 60 years Dana went from being a New England Yankee to sea faring adventurer to land grantee in Mexico California, and to citizen of the United States again.

Touring Rural Arroyo Grande

Compiled by the Book Committee, SCHS

$6.50, SCHS

To help like the past and the present, the Book Committee created a tour book. The book serves several purposes; to provides historical information, to share anecdotes written by those who live or lived in the area, and to provide a map for the short county ride, allowing a driver and passengers to enjoy the lovely countryside. This book was funded by a grant from the San Luis Obispo Community Foundation

Blanco

$14.00, SCHS

The second book of the trilogy tells about the new life Blanco must adopt to after being retired from his job protecting a herd of sheep. Through an exciting event, the community learns that his protective skills are still useful.

Emily Decides

$14.00, SCHS

Emily joins Sara and Blanco at the Adobe. When the gate is left open, they decide to walk into town, visit several businesses and check out some back yards. After adventures and encounters with some people and vehicles, they are rescued and returned to the Adobe.

Dunites

By Norman Hammond

$17.00, SCHS

The CA central coast became a haven for a small group of unrelated people who, for whatever their personal reasons, chose to live in the dunes at Oceano in the early 1900’s. Many were loners; a few were famous; some were artists; some in hiding and many wrote of their experiences. Author Norman Hammond has written a captivating account of their life on the dunes with details about specific “Dunites”.

Oceano: Atlantic City of the West

By Norman Hammond

$20.00, SCHS

Author Norman Hammond compiled the book from documents, papers, interviews and memorabilia collected by local historian Harold Guiton. This history of the town of Oceano includes detailed descriptions of places and people, including the multi cultural heritage of the area, personal observations, anecdotes, photographs and information from newspaper articles. Harold’s dedication to the preservation of the Oceano Depot is noted.

Old Days

By Gordon Bennett and John Loomis

$23.30, SCHS

Growing up in Arroyo Grande between 1939 and 1944 was full of adventures for both Gordon and John who tell their childhood stories. With photographs to accompany the many adventures they had, the book is full of local information, names people they knew as boys and provides lots of history of the town from their viewpoint. If you grew up in a small town, you may relate to their activities that they were convinced were never known to their parents.

Sister Sara, The Adobe Burro

$14.00, SCHS

This book is about Sister Sara’s adventures in becoming adjusted to her new home. Sara is a burro with an attitude.

Other Available Books

• Arroyo Grande Images of America $21.99
• Arroyo Grande Cemeteries $5.00
• California Chumash Indians $7.95
• Carillo's Defiant Daughters $15.00
• Central Coast Aviators in World War II, $21.99
• Dune Child $20.00
• Face of the Clam $23.15
• Francis Zeba Branch $18.95
• Grover Beach (Images of America) $ 21.99
• Harriet Quimby Magazine $3.50
• Halcyon (Images of America) $21.99
• Los Olivos (Images of America) $ 21.99
• Nipomo and Los Berros (Images of America) $21.99
• Nurse of Manzanar $19.95
• Oceano (Images of America) $21.99
• Pacific Coast Railway Southbound to Los Alimos $3.50
• Patriot Graves $15.00
• Pismo Beach (Images of America) $21.99
• Rails of California's Central Coast (Arcadia) $21.99
• San Luis Obispo (Images of America) $21.99
• San Luis Obispo County Outlaws $21.99
• San Luis Obispo the Early Years $32.41
• Secret of the Dunes $5.00
• Settlers of Arroyo Grande $19.95
• To Discourage Me is No Easy Matter (Hard Cover) $38.00
• Walking Tour of Historic Homes in AG Village $9.28
• Will This Be On The Test?? $15.00
• World War II Arroyo Grande $21.99