History of Pismo Beach
The Pismo Beach region has an interesting history going back in time to
1769, when Don Gaspar de Portola and parties camped in the area. According to the
diary of Costanso, a member of the Portola party, "the party continued over the
sand dunes and then descended to the beach, along which they walked several miles
before camping for the night. Near their camping place was an Indian village of
some forty people." Undoubtedly, the beach walked upon by the Portola party was
that known today as Pismo Beach. We invite you to take a look at some our rich
history.
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The First Pismo Beach:
The City is part of the original 8,838 acre Ranch Pismo. The City was first
plotted as "El Pismo" by R.R. Harris for John M. Price in 1886. Today's town dates
from the "Town of El Pizmo", founded by the Pismo Beach Company in 1887 on the earlier
site of El Pismo. The coming of the Southern Pacific in the late 1890's helped bring
visitors to the area and helped the town to grow.
Rancho Pismo was granted by Manuel Rinemo Goriod, representing the Mexican
Government, to Jose Ortega on November 18, 1840. Later it was purchased by Issac
Sparks. Some folk tales relate that sparks won the land from Ortega in a game of
monte, but it appears from records kept by John M. Price that the ranch was purchased
for 477 head of cattle. Sparks said of John Price that he had never employed for long
anyone who was smarter than he. Some of Price's descendants still reside in and near
Pismo Beach. In fact, Price Street is one of the City's main thoroughfares, and
nearby Price Canyon carries the family name.
Price had also built up sizeable horse and cattle herds which he moved onto
the rancho. Sparks had also sold a section of the Rancho Pismo to David Mallagh
around cave landing area to the north, where Mallagh established a wharf business.
Price purchased some of the property in 1854. A portion of the southern part he sold
to Francisco Branch. This left him the Shell Beach, Pismo Beach area and large acreage
running back into Price Canyon.
Parceling Pismo Beach:
In February 1886, Price hired R.R. Harris to survey and make a map of the
subdivisions of part of the Ranchos El Pismo and San Miguelito, also map out and
draw a plan for a town to be called "El Pismo." This was initiated in April 1886.
The map of the "Town El Pizmo", made for the Pismo Beach Company, was not surveyed
until May 1887. It is interesting to note that the Pismo Beach Company is given
credit by some for the founding of the present City of Pismo Beach.
Pismo's Pier
Pictures of Pismo's beaches and pier.
Back in 1881, Pismo's original wharf opened for business. Taking off from a
point below the present Main Street, remnants of the pilings may still be seen
at very low tides. It was not planned for recreation as such --- it was a commercial venture ---
designed in part to save freight fees for South County products. Lumber was
received as well as other commodities.
The Meherin brothers, Arroyo Grande merchants, started the venture. Most
credit is given to D.J. Meherin "for its inception, construction, and maintenance."
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