Pismo Beach #1

Pismo Beach is a beach city in southern San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast area of California, United States.[3] The population was 7,655... more

by Jack Schultz

Title

Pismo Beach #1

Artist

Jack Schultz

Medium

Photograph

Description

Pismo Beach is a beach city in southern San Luis Obispo County, in the Central Coast area of California, United States.[3] The population was 7,655 at the 2010 census, down from 8,551 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Five Cities Area, a cluster of cities in that area of San Luis Obispo County.
Pismo Beach is located on the Rancho Pismo Mexican land grant made to José Ortega, grandson of José Francisco Ortega, in 1840. In 1846 José Ortega sold Rancho Pismo to Isaac Sparks. John Michael Price bought most of the rancho from Isaac Sparks. Price established the town of Pismo Beach in 1891. His homestead is now Price Historical Park.[4] His home is a registered historical landmark. Pismo State Beach is named for the city of Pismo Beach. The name Pismo comes from the Chumash word for tar, which was gathered from tar springs in Price Canyon near Pismo Beach. It was a valuable product used to caulk canoes. The Pismo clam was named for the long, wide beach where so many were once found. Once so abundant they were harvested with plows on the beach, giving the city the name "Clam Capital of the World," the Pismo clam is now greatly diminished.

The first wharf at Pismo was built in 1882, followed by a full-length pier built in 1924 that was financed and constructed by William Woodrow Ward who allowed full use of it by the public. After it suffered considerable storm damage, the pier was renovated again in 1985.

Uploaded

May 6th, 2013