Cayucos in San Luis Obispo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Cayucos by the Sea
Cayucos Landing
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
1. Cayucos by the Sea Marker
Captions: Capt. J. N. Ingalls (top, left); James A. Cass (top, right).
Born in Bristol, England, Nov. 24 1824, James Cass came to N.Y.C. at the age of 12, then to California during the Gold Rush. His mining, mercantile, and farming led him to travel throughout the state. In 1867, he saw the potential of a shipping port at Cayucos Creek. In 1869, Cass convinced Capt. J.N. Ingalls and his partner, Frederick Metcalf, to start a small shipping business, stacking goods on the beach, which led to building a wharf in 1872. The wharf, the first structure in the township, required Cass to invent a new method of driving piles which he patented. In 1875, William Babcock subdivided the town of Cayucos. Cass bought the tideland lots, extended the pier 940’ to deep water, and built (1877) a warehouse. After Cass died, March 15, 1917, his family donated the warehouse & pier to the State. The warehouse was move to a new location where it is a vital part of Cayucos.
Erected 1998 by E Clampus Vitus, de la Guerra y Pacheco Chapter 1.5.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1849.
Location. 35° 26.948′ N, 120° 54.373′ W. Marker is in Cayucos
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Home of Capt. James Cass (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The First Landing of Filipinos in the Continental United States (approx. 5.9 miles away); Morro Rock (approx. 5.9 miles away); The Town of Harmony (approx. 7.8 miles away); Willow Creek Mennonite Church (approx. 10.8 miles away); Preserving a Bit of History (approx. 12.6 miles away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 13.1 miles away); In Memoriam (approx. 13.2 miles away).
More about this marker. This marker is mounted on Cayucos Veteran's Hall.
Also see . . . Cayucos by the Sea - History. Cayucos took its name from the original rancho land grant which means kayak or canoe; a small fishing boat such as used by the Aleuts in hunting sea otters along the coast. (Submitted on September 12, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Additional commentary.
1. Text Seen on the Save the Pier
Photographed By James King, October 19, 2013
2. The Great Communicators
The Cayucos pier was constructed by Captain James Cass, the founder of Cayucos, in 1872 and was rebuilt and lengthened to 982 feet into deeper water in 1876. In was built for about $15,000 using Cambria Pines logs (at $7.00 delivered) for pilings. The pier was an immediate commercial success with steamships from Los Angeles and San Francisco docking several times per week. The pier made Cayucos the commercial hub of the north coast. The steamers carried passengers, took butter, milk, and other farm and ranch products to market and unloaded lumber and various goods. A steamer might load as much as 8-10 tons of butter and 90 passengers from the pier. All of that activity meant that as many as 129 teams of horses were tied to 700 feet of Cayucos hitching posts on Butter Day, the day before departure. The severe drought of the late 1890s weakened Cayucos economically. And although in 1915 the pier received a economic boost when an abalone canning plant was built about half way out, it became less commercially viable through the early 1900s. Railroads and trucking ended its life as a working pier in 1920.
The pier became state property in 1920, and over the next 30 years, once again became central to the economic wealth of the community. As residents of the San Joaquin Valley discovered Cayucos and its Mediterranean climate the pier became very popular with
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
3. Cayucos by the Sea Marker
The marker is on the wall, between the two trees.
— Submitted September 18, 2013.
Photographed By James King, October 19, 2013
4. Cayucos Veterans' Memorial Building
Cayucos by the sea marker is visible between trees. Below it, the Pier Plaza marker is by the flagpole and, to the right, the Lost at Sea memorial is the truncated obelisk partially behind the green bush.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
5. Cayucos Pier
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
6. Cayucos From the Pier
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
7. Save Cayucos Pier Banner
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
8. Cayucos by the Sea Mural
Photographed By James King, October 19, 2013
9. Lost at Sea Memorial Monument
Located next to the entrance to the vets' hall.
Photographed By James King, October 19, 2013
10. The Great Communicators
Dale Joseph Evers
In loving memory of my dad
Ellis W. Evers
Photographed By James King, October 19, 2013
11. Pier Plaza Contributors Marker
See photo for text.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,159 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 12, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 2. submitted on March 2, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. 3. submitted on September 12, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on March 2, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on September 12, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 9, 10, 11. submitted on March 2, 2014, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
