Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Volny Collection on Central Coast Architecture
Dates: 1936-1940 (bulk 1938-1939)
Collection Number: MS0123
Creator/Collector:
Southern Pacific Milling Company
H.B. Douglas, Architect
Frank L. Hope Jr., AIA, Architect
H.T. Johnson, Civil Engineer
Klicka Lumber Company
William D. Lutz, Structural Engineer
Burch & Beck, Engineers
Robert Stanton, Architect
Extent: 5 flat files, 1 document box (21.79 linear feet)
Online items available
Repository:
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Special Collections and Archives
San Luis Obispo, California 93407
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: English
Access
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/.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
Volny Collection on Central Coast Architecture. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo. Special Collections
and Archives
Acquisition Information
Gift
Biography/Administrative History
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>
Scope and Content of Collection
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 Pacific Coast Lumber Company in San Luis Obispo, CA. The bulk
of the collection is made up of residential blueprints dating from 1938-1939 for houses located throughout the California’s
central coast. The plans were given to the lumber company by the owners and builders of the projects in grade for a reduction
in materials fees.
The San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints are divided into 2 series:
1. Drawings (1936-1940)
2. Documents (1938)
The San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection is housed in 5 flat file drawers and 1 document box, with Drawings containing
the most extensive and unique portions of the collection.
Series 1 contains blueprints and other construction drawings for various structures and buildings. The majority of the blueprints
were produced by the Southern Pacific Milling Company, located in San Luis Obispo, and are for residences built in Paso Robles,
San Luis Obispo, and Santa Maria. Also includes a number of unidentified blueprints, as well as blueprints for prefabricated
houses designed by the Klicka Lumber Company out of San Diego. The drawings are organized by city name and then by project
name with unidentified drawings at the end.
Series 2 contains construction specifications for several of the residences documented in Series 1. Also includes original
sketches and colored pencil renderings. The documents are organized by type and then by project name.
Original organization of the records has been preserved where possible. Materials may have been reorganized or rehoused for
preservation and access purposes.
Indexing Terms
Architecture -- 20th Century
Architecture -- California.
Architecture -- Designs And Plans
Architecture – Details
Architecture, American -- 20th Century
Architecture, Domestic -- California -- San Luis Obispo.
Berkeley (Calif.) -- Buildings, Structures, Etc.
Blueprints
Building -- California
Architectural Plans
Blueprints
Sketches
Specifications