Santa Margarita Section
The Santa Margarita section extends from the northern end of Cuesta Springs Road at the top of Cuesta Grade along the current 101 freeway, then at the Santa Margarita exit east on El Camino Real through downtown Santa Margarita and ends at the Garden Farms about 1.5 miles north of Santa Margarita.
Originally, this area was a meeting place for the Chumash, Salinan and the Yoqut natives. Sometime after the founding of the San Luis de Tolosa Mission in 1772, this land was used as an ‘asistencia’ or agriculture concern for Mission San Luis Obispo and named for a Santa Margarita de Cortona, an Italian saint. After Spain recognized Mexican Independence in 1821, the 17,735- acre ranch was a granted to Joaquin Estrada.
California was admitted into the Union in 1850 and Joaquin Estrada sold the Santa Margarita Rancho to the Martin Murphy family in 1861. Santa Margarita remained a cattle ranch until 1889 when the Southern Pacific Railroad arrived, and the town was founded. It took the railroad 4 years to complete the track into San Luis Obispo. Since all freight and passengers had to be loaded and unloaded for the journey up and down the Cuesta Grade, Santa Margarita became a boom town. Once the ‘gap’ was closed, Santa Margarita grew quiet.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the original Highway 101 opened and automobiles became popular. Santa Margarita once again became a boom town. During this time, the town had many gas stations, garages, hotels, restaurants, bars, saloons and pool halls. Many of the photos here are from that time.
After Highway 101 bypassed Santa Margarita in 1957, the town again became a quiet community of homes and small businesses. Since the town is completely landlocked by the Santa Margarita Ranch, it has not grown an inch since it was founded in 1889 and retains its small town closely knit community feel.
Updated 8/2019... A great website for discovering the rich history of this area is the Santa Margarita Historical Society site. As it turns out, Santa Margarita, at one time, had as many as 6 gas stations, 3 motels, and Drive-In restaurant at various times.
Updated 3/29/05.. Location #B added.
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Comments, suggestions, and feedback are welcome
E-mail
me at: don@Historic101.com
