HISTORIC PASO ROBLES
T
he spirit of its residents’ creativity reached new heights in the late 19th century when ranchers and farmers built banks, hardware stores, saloons, and a world-class bathhouses solidifying Paso Robles as a bustling and beautiful town. More than a century later, residents have continued to create art, wine, agriculture, theater, and a host of other treasures that help define this special California town.
Historic Paso Robles Paso Robles roots are steeped in California’s rich history, from Native American settlements to Christian pilgrimage. With the boom of California’s luxurious hotels and resorts, Paso provides visitors with glimpses of yesterday’s beginnings rooted in today’s downtown. Historic Paso Robles Railroad Depot In 1887 this historic Southern Pacific Freight Station was built and the first train arrived. Today: Anglim Winery, 740 Pine Street & Train Station, 800 Pine Street. The Granary, 1111 Riverside In 1889, this building was used for flour production and storage. A steam generator provided power to the mill and served as the first electric power plant in Paso Robles. Today: Cool Hand Luke’s Restaurant & Bar & Kiamie Wines.
Clark House, 1031 Pine Street This charming two-story brick building has a “widow’s walk” surrounding the roof and was built by a chemist H. H. Soest, who was interested in the mineral qualities of the Paso Robles hot sulfur water. Today: Clark House is used for the Land Company Offices. Municipal Bath House, 840 11th Street Built by and for the City, this building made it possible for the residents to share the curative power of the hot sulfur water, used for over 65 years. Today: Powell’s Sweet Shoppe. Oldest Bar in the County, 1122 Pine Street Built in 1887 it is the oldest bar in the County. Once known as the Swiss Italian Cafe. Today: Pappy McGregor’s. Hastings, 1202 Pine Street Built in the 1800’s and constructed of bricks made in a kiln by the Salinas River. Today: Bistro Laurent, French cuisine. Cosmopolitan Hotel, 1234 Pine Street Old records indicate that the first floor was used as a bar and as a rooming house, as early as the 1860’s. Later, called the Cosmopolitan Hotel, it was a popular bar, restaurant and hotel. Today: Pine Street Saloon (lower level). Bank of Italy/Bank of America, 1245 Park Street This classic revival building was built in 1919, originally with two stories. When the war broke out, the roof was removed and an additional story was added. Today: Ali’s Fine Art Gallery & Antiques. Odd Fellows Building/Sanders Brothers, 1226/1230 Park Street Built in 1910, this three-story commercial structure of Italianate architecture design reflects the grandeur days of long ago. Today: The Park Ballroomm F. McClintocks’s Restaurant & Mission Community Bank. Smith Sporting Goods, 1225 Park Street In 1889, this unusual flat roofed building was built of concrete and brick with a stucco front. Today: The Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce has occupied this location since 1992. Gary Smith, son of Clark Smith from Smiths Sporting Goods is the owner.
Blackburn Clock Tower Building, 801 12th Street This outstanding two story red brick commercial “one of a kind” building was built for Daniel Blackburn, one of the founders of Paso Robles. Today: Velvet Clothing on the Corner & Level Four (Basement Floor). Ramona Hotel, 817/819 12th Street Having Italian renaissance architectural style this large, flat-roofed, brick structure was formerly a hotel called the “Ramona.” Today: Fenomenal (lower level) & Business offices occupy the upper story. Orcutt Building, 835 12th Street In 1889, this renaissance revival flat-roofed, two-story commercial building was built and operated for many years as a family-run grocery store and meat market. Today: The Sole Tree. Paso Robles Fire House, 623 13th Street Built in the 1930’s, Paso Robles City No.1 Fire Station served the City as its main firehouse for more than seventy years. Today: Paso Robles Children’s Museum. Paso Robles Inn, 1103 Spring Street This Paso Robles Inn, the third hotel built on this site, opened to the public in 1942. The first hotel was a wooden structure that was opened in 1864 and moved to 1891 to make way for the historic Hotel El Paso de Robles. Today: The Paso Robles Inn. El Paso de Robles Hotel Ballroom, 1103 Spring Street The second hotel, said to be “fire proof” built on these grounds ignited and burned to the ground leaving the charred remains of the corner towers, 100 chimneys and this wing that was located in the northwest corner of the “grand hotel”. The dining hall seats 300 guests and was used for dances and galas, then and now. Today: The Paso Robles Inn. Paso Robles Carnegie Historic Library, 800 12th Street This red brick two-story building with monument columns supporting the main entrance is one of Andrew Carnegie’s Library gifts of $10,000 in his effort to maintain the library. This is a Historical Building on the National Register.
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