The Omitted Details About San Luis Obispo within the Media
Sage Speich
Department of Graphic Communication, California Polytechnic State University – SLO
GRC 301: Digital Photography and Color Management
Professor Hocheol Yang
Close Up of Ah Louis and his Store on Mosaic Mural
ISO 100. 95mm. f/6.3. 1/320.
Statement:
For many individuals visiting San Luis Obispo County, numerous photos and documentations of the surrounding mountainsides, tranquil beaches, and inviting shopping and eating destinations have been looked upon before travel. The individuals are able to waltz into town with the knowledge of the town’s identity through the advertised popular locale and enjoy the distinctiveness of the area, yet so many (including individuals living within the county) do not truly know the history of the area; So little is mentioned within these advertisements about the notable figures and groups who populated the area and established its identity, caring more about lavish lifestyles the location has to offer visitors in the short timespan that they are here.
With this in mind, I decided to focus my project on documenting locations that reveal untold stories about this town to both its inhabitants and visitors. My goal is to educate individuals about these important pieces of history that have created the identity of the county, while also giving respect to those who did so.
World Trade Center Memorial
Artist: Kathleen Caricof
2160 Santa Barbara Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Headphones resting on World Trade Center Beam — World Trade Center Memorial, San Luis Obispo
ISO 100. 140mm. f/5. 1/250.
In 2015, the City of San Luis Obispo dedicated a memorial honoring the 403 first responders that lost their lives during 9/11. This center consists of two semi circles created by 403 standing, black and red metal rods surrounding a small courtyard — with black representing police officers and red representing fire fighters. Lying within the courtyard is a large piece of a beam from one of the original twin towers, oriented in the way that it would have been within the building. The beam is exposed so that visitors have the opportunity to interact with the piece of history.
The First Firestation that is situated next to the memorial holds an annual ceremony on 9/11 that the public can attend; Years before have shown the station placing 403 white roses, Color Guard demonstrations, and speeches coming from high schoolers going to school within San Luis Obispo.
Links for Further Information:
Touching History — article that goes into more detail about the memorial (released in 2015)
World Trade Center Memorial Opening Ceremony — video link to the opening ceremony for the memorial
Celebrating During Quarantine — video link to news report about honoring 9/11 first responders during COVID with white roses
"Oh Great Spirit"
Artist: Nell Scruggs
Bob Jones Bike Trail, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
"Oh Great Spirit" — Bob Jones Bike Trail, San Luis Obispo
ISO 100. 75mm. f/6.3. 1/200.
The statue, located at the end of the Bob Jones Bike Trail at the corner of Prado Road and South Higuera Street, a 12-foot-tall, 800-pound sculpture depicting an Indigenous tribe member. According to the artist, the Chumash Tribal Council worked with the city to erect the statue.
The presence of the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash has been living and breathing throughout the valley for thousands of years, undergoing many challenges of direct and indirect genocide that threatened their existence, such as "the introduction of European diseases, the inhumane ideologies of the Spanish mission system, [and] the Mexican conquest and American colonization" (Northern Chumash Tribe). Their mission is to continue to maintain and pass down their cultural traditions to future generations and to spread awareness of their history and their resilience within an inhumane world.
While this statue has been argued to be more performative than impactful within the San Luis Obispo community, this statue still signifies the determination and strength of the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash, with the statue being a visual reminder of their presence within the community.
Links for Further Information:
A Living History — history of the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash; this website also highlights topics such as ocean advocacy, tribal council, and the YTT nonprofit
News from Native California — quarterly magazine devoted to the history and culture of California's indigenous people
"The Iron Road Pioneers"
Artist: Elizabeth MacQueen
1011 Railroad Ave, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
"The Iron Road Pioneers" Statue — 1011 Railroad Ave, San Luis Obispo
ISO 100. 25mm. f/11. 1/50.
This statue, located in a center of a round-a-bout near the San Luis Obispo Train Station, was unveiled in 2003 as tribute to the Chinese immigrants who pioneered the construction of the railways throughout America. San Luis Obispo specifically had around 160 Chinese immigrants living within town and working on major projects such as the railroads and roads (Ngo, 2021). According to the artist, the statue depicts "two traditionally dressed men opposite each other levering tracks into position, a pile of rivets alongside ready to complete the next small stage of their endless task" (Atlas Obscura).
This statue is just a small reminder of the enormous impact that the Chinese immigrants had within San Luis Obispo, and acknowledges their importance in getting San Luis Obispo on the map through the rail systems.
Links for Further Information:
San Luis Obispo Railroad Museum — museum dedicated to the history of the the railway system through San Luis Obispo, with many collections from that time period
Historical Influence of Railroads — paper dedicated to the influence of railroads within San Luis Obispo, with one section highlighting the essential contributions from Chinese Immigrants (starts on pg.56)
Ah Louis Store
800 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Left: Brick Siding on Ah Louis Store
ISO 100. 75mm. f/6.3. 1/320.
Right: Front of Ah Louis Store
ISO 100. 24mm. f/6.3/ 1/400.
This store is a piece of history within the heart of San Luis Obispo, with its importance so great that it has been designated as a California State Historical Landmark number 802, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States National Park Service. This corner shop was home to the to On Wong, or more commonly known as Ah Louis, the central figure in the development of the Central Coast of California. Settling into San Luis Obispo after his attempts at the California Gold Rush, Ah Louis became a central destination for many Chinese communities, opening a small East Asian mercantile in 1874, and soon expanding into additional services such as a "post office, bank, employment office, and gathering space" (National Park Service).
The building itself is composed of bricks that Ah Louis made within his own brickyard, and today the original brickwork still remains. These bricks are utilized in many structures around downtown San Luis Obispo, yet many do not know about the historical pieces that they pass everyday.
Links for Further Information:
History of the Ah Louis Store — overview of the Ah Louis Store from the viewpoint of the current inhabitants, Karson Butler Events
Gin/Louis Family Collection — collection of keepsakes, books, photographs and receipts from Young Louis's photography studio, highlighting the Louis family
Chinatown for a New Generation — article highlights the history of Chinatown within San Luis Obispo, and documents the individuals who are still keeping the history alive today
Remembering Chinatown — article that discusses the racism that Chinese immigrants faced during their time within San Luis Obispo, and the effects of these horrific actions
National Park Service — article from the National Park Service regarding Ah Louis Store
"Love" and "Double Joy"
Artist: Peter Ladochy
800 Palm St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Chinese Characters of "Love" and "Double Joy" — 800 Palm St, San Luis Obispo
ISO 100. 34mm. f/6.3. 1/400.
This mosaic mural, dedicated in 1997 by the Chinatown Public Art Committee of the City of San Luis Obispo, commemorates the Chinese pioneers who were an integral part of San Luis Obispo's creation. The mural depicts many figures and symbols both within the Chinese culture and of San Luis Obispo culture that accumulated to the identity of the Chinese immigrants during the late 19th century.
The plaque underneath the mural states that this commemoration was a physical reminder of the resilience of the Chinese pioneers during days of prejudice and exclusionary laws, pushing themselves to rise above the obstacles in their way and making major contributions to the San Luis Obispo economy and industry.
Links for Further Information:
Migration Memorial Project — website that goes into the detail of the Chinese-American history within San Luis Obispo and the significance of the mosaic mural
Lunar New Year — article discussing celebrations of Lunar New Year in the plaza of Downtown SLO (near the Mission), as well as the history of Chinatown
Ah Louis and his Family’s Legacy at Cal Poly and the Area of San Luis Obispo — student paper discussing the history of Ah Louis and his family
Conclusion:
Overall, I believe that the highlight of these historical structures and places are noteworthy within San Luis Obispo because they are the fundamental framework that have determined the outcome of the place people live and visit today. The idea of not reflecting and acknowledging their accumulated importance detaches the culture and community that was built around the county and the city, and erases the identity of the past that should be influencing the present. I hope that with the photos that I have taken, I have highlighted the significance of these figures and have uncovered a wealth of knowledge that was previously disregarded by the community for individuals to read and to digest; I hope that the photographs open their eyes to the rich, cultural history that rest within the valleys and alongside the beaches, and compels them to investigate the true identity of San Luis Obispo.
References:
Atlas Obscura. (n.d.). 'The Iron Road Pioneers'. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-iron-road-pioneers
Barr, G. (2008). Take your photography to the next level: from inspiration to image (First edition.). Rocky Nook.
Garrod, B. (2009). Understanding the Relationship between Tourism Destination Imagery and Tourist Photography. Journal of Travel Research, 47(3), 346–358. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287508322785
Guy, NK. (2012). Lens. Rocky Nook.
National Park Service. (2009). Ah Louis Store. https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/asia/2009/ah_louis_store.htm
Ngo, C. (2021, May 20). A look back at the history of San Luis Obispo’s Chinatown. KSBY. https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/a-look-back-at-the-history-of-san-luis-obispos-chinatown#:~:text=In%2520the%25201870s%252C%2520Wong%2520was,Chinese%2520built%2520San%2520Luis%2520Obispo.
