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

Pacific Coast Railway Right-Of-Way / A Terrible Tragedy

Pacific Coast Railway Right-Of-Way Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert B. Conroy, April 30, 2013

1. Pacific Coast Railway Right-Of-Way Marker

This marker faces the sidewalk.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Side A (Facing the sidewalk): This plaque marks the location of the
Pacific Coast Railway
Right-of-Way As established on October 12, 1881, in Arroyo Grande, the Pacific Coast Railway ran from Avila to San Luis Obispo and Edna in the north, then through Arroyo Grande to Nipomo, Santa Maria, Orcutt, Los Alamos and Los Olivos in the south. This railroad served as a major influence from 1876 -1942 in the development of agriculture and commerce on California's central coast.

Side B (Facing the street): A Terrible Tradegy In the early morning darkness of April 1st, 1886 a group of local masked vigilantes on horseback lynched Peter Hemmi and his son Julius on the Pacific Coast Railway bridge (located 400 feet south of this marker)for the murder of rancher Eugene Walker of the upper Arroyo Grande Valley because of a long standing property dispute.

Erected 1981 by South County Historical Society & Bennett-Loomis Archives.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events

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• Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is April 1, 1886.

Location. 35° 7.514′ N, 120° 34.499′ W. Marker is in Arroyo Grande, California, in San Luis Obispo County. Marker is at the intersection of East Branch Street (California Route 227) and Crown Hill Street, on the left when traveling east on East Branch Street. The marker is in front of the store, 0.6 miles east of Hwy 101 on SR 227. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 415 East Branch Street, Arroyo Grande CA 93420, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oceano Depot (approx. 2.9 miles away); Southern Pacific Railroad Depot (approx. 2.9 miles away); Oceano Honor Roll (approx. 2.9 miles away); Dr. Rudolf W. Gerber Memorial Park (approx. 2.9 miles away); Pismo Beach Pier Plaza (approx. 4 miles away); History of Pismo Clams in California (approx. 4 miles away); The History of Pismo Beach Wharf and Pier (approx. 4 miles away); Rancho Nipomo (approx. 9 miles away).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Railroads of the Central Coast - An Overview. (Submitted on June 17, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California.)
2. PCRy Photos on Flickr.

A Terrible Tragedy Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert B. Conroy, April 30, 2013

2. A Terrible Tragedy Marker

This marker faces the street.

(Submitted on June 17, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California.)
3. A Terrible Tragedy ~ 1886 Arroyo Grande, California. The Terrible Tragedy of 1886 was remembered by the citizens of Arroyo Grande on March 31st, 2004 11:15pm to 12:01am April 1st. (Submitted on June 18, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California.)

Pacific Coast Railway Right-Of-Way / A Terrible Tragedy Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Robert B. Conroy, April 30, 2013

3. Pacific Coast Railway Right-Of-Way / A Terrible Tragedy Monument

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. This page has been viewed 832 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 17, 2013, by James King of San Miguel, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.