San Luis Obispo County History

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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Source:
A Memorial and Biographical History of the Counties of Santa Barbara,
San Luis Obispo, and Ventura, California
by Yda Addis Storke
Published in 1891 in Chicago by the Lewis Publishing Co.


MORRO. 

This is a small village on the southern part of Estero Bay, where a lagoon extends some 
five miles inland from the sea, having a narrow entrance, and forming an excellent har- 
bor for light-draught vessels. At the entrance of the lagoon is a wharf, receiving lumber 
from the north and produce from the interior. From the ocean in front of the village rises 
the Morro Rock, belonging to the National Government, a grand feature of natural scen- 
ery. It is a great cone, rising precipitously from the water to a height of 580 feet, 
upon a base of about forty acres. It is composed of trachyte, a valuable building mate- 
rial, which may be quarried here in large quantities, and loaded upon vessels with great 
convenience. The ambition of Morro is to have its promising harbor for light vessels 
perfected, and to become a traveling center by means of a road leading directly east to 
the Salinas Valley. 

The Rancho San Miguelito, of 22,136 acres, borders on San Luis Obispo Bay, and includes 
the most feasible landing place. It was granted by the Mexican Government to Don 
Miguel Avila. In 1867, when Mr. John Harford built "The People's "Wharf," the 
town of Avila was laid out by the Avila Brothers, and the prospect was fair for the 
growth of a lively village. Busy times prevailed here for a time, when two lines of 
steamers were contesting for the trade, but the construction of the railroad wharf in 
1873, and the transfer to it in 1875 of the railroad terminus deprived Avila of its busi- 
ness and its hopes of commercial importance. 

Port Harford is treated elsewhere, and the town of San Luis Obispo also is described.