San Miguel in San Luis Obispo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

El Camino Real

Photographed By James King, October 21, 2023

1. El Camino Real Marker

Inscription. The El Camino Real was the original 700 mile dirt road that connected the 21 California Missions from San Diego to Sonoma. Each mission was one day's journey by horseback. In 1892, Anne Pitcher began a campaign to preserve the El Camino Real intending to mark the historical route. By 1902 Native Daughters of the Golden West joined the California Federation of Women's Club to implement the proposal. In 1906 the first bell was placed.

In 1915 this old cement section of roadway was built in front of the Caledonia and remains as one of few strips of the original El Camino Real in California.

The San Miguel Native Daughters of the Golden West Parlor No. 94, takes pride in acknowledging and preserving the history of our local area by properly recognizing this 1915 road with the El Camino Real Bell and also by dedicating this bell to Jean Hoffmann, our devoted, faithful, member.

Erected 2023 by San Miguel Parlor #94, Native Daughters of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 35° 44.287′ N, 120° 41.991′ W. Marker is in San

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Miguel, California, in San Luis Obispo County. Marker can be reached from Mission Street. The Rios-Caledonia Adobe is a San Luis Obispo County Park, administered by the Friends of the Adobes 501(c)(3). The driveway is across Mission Street from the south end of the San Miguel Mission grounds. Follow the driveway to the parking area. Then, by foot, follow the old El Camino Real, past the gate, to the steps to the adobe. The marker is on the left. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 Mission Street, San Miguel CA 93451, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rios-Caledonia Adobe (within shouting distance of this marker); San Miguel Cemetery District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fr. Fidelis Wieland, O.F.M (approx. ¼ mile away); Mission San Miguel Arcangel (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cross of El Camino Real (approx. half a mile away); Mission Fields (approx. half a mile away); Mission Cemetery (approx. half a mile away); Lt. Col. John C. Fremont (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Miguel.

More about this marker. While you are there, visit the Adobe museum.

Also see . . . The Historic Rios-Caledonia Adobe.

"The Historic Rios-Caledonia Adobe was built in 1835 just south of the San Miguel Mission as
Photographed By James King, October 21, 2023

2. El Camino Real Marker and Bell
San Miguel Native Sons and Daughters
a home for the overseer of Mission lands. It is located on the old mission trail between San Francisco and Los Angeles and is eight miles north of Paso Robles. This historic site is well preserved with the original Inn and Stagecoach stop now a museum and small gift shop. A building was added in 1930 that is now a unique history research library. The grounds are beautifully maintained by San Luis Obispo County Parks with picnic sites and restrooms available."

(Submitted on November 13, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California.)

El Camino Real, Marker, and Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James King, October 21, 2023

3. El Camino Real, Marker, and Bell

County Supervisor John Peschong addresses the assembly.

El Camino Real image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James King, October 21, 2023

4. El Camino Real

Looking down the 1915 El Camino Real, whilst Paul Hohman, with the Paso Robles Model-A Club, addresses the assembly.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 39 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 13, 2023, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.