Harmony in San Luis Obispo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Town of Harmony
Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 25, 2026
1. Town of Harmony Marker
....grew up around a dairy, founded in 1869. Until 1907 the creamery changed hands several times. In these early days rivalries and feuding among the dairy farmers caused chaos in the valley. After one shooting death a truce was called. All agreed to live henceforth in harmony, and from this the name of the towne was derived.
In 1907 M.D. Salmina established the Harmony Valley Cooperative Dairy. The town of Harmony prospered with this business. In its heyday the village boasted a large residence for management, bunkhouses for employees, a general store, a livery and stable, blacksmith, feed store, post office and a school house. The Harmony Dairy produced besides milk and cream, some of the finest butter and cheese in the state. In those days, Highway 1 ran right through the town and motorists were treated to ladles of buttermilk form the dairy.
William Randolf Hearst was a familiar face as he stopped off for fresh dairy products on his way to his ranch. Rudolf Valentino and Pola Negri stopped in Harmony on their way to visit Hearst.
Eventually the dairy business shifted to San Luis Obispo, and in the late 1950s Harmony Dairy was closed. For many years the town was abandoned with the exception of the post office which remained open.
Restoration began in 1972, with loving care, to bring back the
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.
Location. 35° 30.517′ N, 121° 1.37′ W. Marker is in Harmony, California, in San Luis Obispo County. It is on Old Creamery Road west of Harmony Valley Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2111 Old Creamery Road, Harmony CA 93435, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Santa Rosa Creek (approx. 5 miles away); Restoration of Land and Culture (approx. 5 miles away); Restored Chinese Temple (approx. 5 miles away); California Native Plant Garden (approx. 5 miles away); Greenspace Creekside Reserve (approx. 5 miles away); The Guthrie-Bianchini House (approx. 5.1 miles away); Cambria Veterans' Memorial (approx. 5.7 miles away).
Another marker is no longer nearby. Preserving a Bit of History (was approx. 5 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . . Harmony, California on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
2. The Town of Harmony Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
3. The Town of Harmony Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, September 5, 2013
4. The Old Creamery
Photographed by Jason Voigt, March 25, 2026
5. The Town of Harmony Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,161 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 5. submitted on May 17, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
