Three panels are located on the Harford Pier outline the history of Port San Luis.

Port San Luis - A Gateway Through Time Geology
Bays are formed over thousands of years by erosion. Less resistant rock is weathered away by waves over time to form the bay. More resistant rock around the edges of the bay result in headlands, projections of land around the bay into the larger body of water.
Port San Luis - A Gateway Through Time Fishing and Boating
In the 1500s and 1600s the Port San Luis area was visited by Spanish and Portuguese explorers. Following a bustling period as a trade and passenger port in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Port today supports local fishing and boating ventures.
Port San Luis - A Gateway Through Time Commerce
By the 1880s Port San Luis served as the gateway for shipping goods and moving passengers to and from the Pacific Rim and Europe. The Port developed into the largest crude oil shipping port in the world by WWII. Today, the Port is used mainly for commercial and sport fishing and other recreational purposes.






Timeline, compiled from the three Harford Pier panels.

200 million years ago — Pillow Lava is created



under the water
18,000 years ago — Dune formation starts at the end of the last glacial period
1868 — Whaling begins at Port Harford Station
1878 — Tidal Wave causes considerable damage to Central Coast
1880 — Whaling ends
1882 — Ocean Hotel built at base of Harford Wharf
1888 — Steamship Queen of the Pacific sinks within 500' of the pier; no lives lost
1889 — Construction of Port San Luis Light Station begins
1893 — Breakwater construction begins with stones from Morro Rock and Catalina Island
1900 — Abalone and commercial fishing starts
1906 — Union Oil builds first oil pipeline to Avila Beach
1908 — U.S. Navy's "Great White Fleet" anchors in San Luis Obispo Bay

1913 — Breakwater construction completed
1942 — Railroad and pier sold to Elton Tognazzini
1945 — Fishing trawlers begin operating from the port
1954 — County residents vote to create the Port San Luis Harbor District
1964 — Harbor District purchases Tognazzini property and Harford Pier
1974 — Coast Guard closes Point San Luis Lighthouse
2004 — San Simeon Earthquake damages breakwater

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Show me all markers in:  San Luis Obispo, CA  |  San Luis Obispo County  |  93405  |  California  |  United States of America

Port Harford Wharf & Pacific Coast Railway
Sailing Ship Anchor
Port Harford Pier
Point San Luis Light Station
Pier Into The Past
Pacific Coast Railway
Carnegie City Library
Dr. Rudolf W. Gerber Memorial Park Historical
Southern Pacific Railroad Depot Historical
Oceano Depot Historical

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