Description
The San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection contains architectural drawings, blueprints and specifications, discovered
during the remodel of an old warehouse once belonging to the Southern Pacific Milling Company in San Luis Obispo, California.
The bulk of the collection is made up of residential blueprints dating from 1938-1939 for houses located throughout the California’s
Central Coast.
Background
The bulk of the San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection comes from the Southern Pacific Milling Company, with various
architects and engineers signing off on the documents. The company was founded by R.M. Shackelford circa 1886. Shackelford
was originally from Kentucky and came to California in 1853 in search of gold. He had many different occupations including
mining, freight hauling, grain milling and lumbering, as well as politics serving one term in the Nevada State Legislature.
In November of 1886, Shackelford moved to Paso Robles and began building warehouses and lumberyards along the railroad line
between Soledad and Santa Margarita. He organized the Southern Pacific Milling Company and built nine warehouses and lumberyards,
one of which was located in San Luis Obispo. This branch of the company still exists today.
Another prominent name in the collection is the Klicka Lumber Company. Emil and George Klicka, two brothers from Chicago,
moved to San Diego in 1921 and started several companies including the Klicka Lumber Company. Emil was a successful banker
and managed the financial side of the business while George served as general manager and developed several prefabricated
home designs. The Studio Bungalow was the most famous of these “kit houses.” Patented in the 1930s, it was geared toward
lower income families making it possible for the average wage earner to own their own home. A model of the kit was introduced
at the 1935 Pan-American Exposition in Balboa Park. After the FHA endorsed the “kit house,” hundreds were sold all over San
Diego through 1942.
SOURCES
Hooper, Peggy. “Hon. R.M. Shackelford.” San Luis Obispo County Biographies, California Genealogy & History Archives. Retrieved
21 Feb. 2012. <http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/biographies/s/shackelford-r-m.txt>
“Once Upon A Time In North Park.” History Committee of the North Park Community Association. 2003. Retrieved 21 Feb. 2012.
<http://www.northparkhistory.com/documents/brochures/OnceUponATimeBrochure%20Final.pdf>
“Park Villas/West End Historic District (Formerly Dryden Historic District) Applicant Nomination.” Policy Subcommittee. 14
Feb 2011. Retrieved 21 Feb. 2012. <http://www.sandiego.gov/planning/programs/historical/pdf/policyagendas/policyagenda110214item3d.pdf>
Extent
5 flat files, 1 document box (21.79 linear feet)
Restrictions
Digital copies are provided to researchers for the purpose of study, research, and personal use only, unless otherwise specified
in writing. Materials that are the property of Cal Poly Special Collections and Archives require written permission prior
to publication. No complete collection may be reproduced.
For print and online publication, please visit our Reproduction Services page online at http://lib.calpoly.edu/support/sca-policies/reproduction/.
Special Collections and Archives reserves the right to review all reproduction requests and to withhold permission if scanning
would endanger the material, would violate copyright law, or would violate institutional restrictions.
Availability
Collection is open to researchers by appointment. For more information on visiting, access policies, and reproduction requests,
please visit our Reference Services page online at http://lib.calpoly.edu/search-and-find/collections-and-archives/reference-services/.