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

Elkhorn Saloon

Established 1853

Photographed by James King, September 30, 2012

1. Elkhorn Saloon Marker

Inscription. On land expropriated from San Miguel Mission, at the site of an adobe frequented by Frank and Jesse James, the first saloon in San Luis Obispo County opened its doors here on December 5, 1853. In its heyday, the Elkhorn Saloon often earned over $1000 a day serving 10¢ drinks to the insatiable soldiers of Camp Roberts. E Clampus Vitus celebrates 150 years of continuous patronage by friars, liars, drinkers and thinkers.

Erected 2003 by De La Guerra Chapter 1.5, E Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the Jesse James series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1998.

Location. 35° 45.05′ N, 120° 41.783′ W. Marker is in San Miguel, California, in San Luis Obispo County. It can be reached from Mission Street south of 13th Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1263 Mission Street, San Miguel CA 93451, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Original Site Of San Miguel School (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lt. Col. John C. Fremont (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mission Cemetery

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Mission Fields (approx. 0.4 miles away); Cross of El Camino Real (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mission San Miguel Arcangel (approx. half a mile away); Fr. Fidelis Wieland, O.F.M (approx. 0.6 miles away); San Miguel Cemetery District (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Miguel.

More about this marker. The marker is set in the sidewalk just to the right of the front door.

Regarding Elkhorn Saloon. The Elkhorn is supposedly the second-oldest saloon in California.

The references to Frank and Jesse James are dubious at best. While their presence in the area is known (their uncle Drury James owned the La Panza Ranch and helped found the city of Paso Robles) and mythologized, Frank and Jesse would have been about 11 and 6 years old, respectively, in 1853 when the Elkhorn was founded.

Additional keywords. Inns, Saloons & Brothels

Elkhorn Saloon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James King, September 30, 2012

2. Elkhorn Saloon

Photographed by James King, September 30, 2012

3. Elkhorn Saloon

Marker can be seen in the sidewalk to the right of the door.

Pioneer Memorial Opposite the Elkhorn Saloon image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 21, 2013

4. Pioneer Memorial Opposite the Elkhorn Saloon

This monument and trees
Dedicated to
The Pioneers
Of San Miguel Area
By
San Miguel Lions Club
Trees planted January 30, 1977

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2012, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 2,903 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 30, 2012, by James King of San Miguel, California. 4. submitted on April 14, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.