Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection
MS 123
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection
Dates: 1936-1940 (bulk 1938-1939)
Collection Number: MS 123
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)
Repository:
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
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 all over California’s
Central Coast.
Language of Material: English
Collection accessible during public hours 10am-4pm, M-F or by appointment.
San Luis Obispo Regional Blueprints Collection. California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Gift, 2005
Biography/Administrative History
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
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 all over California’s central
coast. The plans were given to the lumber company by the owners and builders of the projects for the take off of costs and
materials.
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 structure types 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, CA; San Luis Obispo, CA and Santa Maria, CA. There are also a number of unidentified blueprints, as well
as some blueprints for prefabricated houses designed by the Klicka Lumber Company out of San Diego, CA. The drawings are organized
by city name and then by project name with the unidentified drawings at the end.
Series 2 contains construction specifications for several of the residences documented in Series 1. There are also some original
sketches and colored pencil renderings. The documents are organized by type and then by project name.
Where possible, the provenance, or original organization, of the papers has been preserved. However, in order to simplify
access to the collection for researchers, some materials in specific formats and topics were reorganized and refoldered to
more accurately reflect their contents.
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