South County Historical Society

09/03/2026

The Santa Maria Airfest is coming up Sept. 12-13. I was so impressed with the 2023 show that I made a little video that links many of these vintage planes to the local men and women who flew them. (From SCHS President Jim Gregory.)

Some of the planes featured at this excellent air show, and some of...

09/03/2026

This majestic Oak Tree (photo 2012) once stood in front of the South County Historical Society Paulding House. The Oak was estimated to be over 250 years old.

About ten years ago, due to age and disease, it became weak; the branches became dangerous as they fell, and unfortunately, it had to be cut down. For many years, only the stump (photo 2022) remained as a reminder of the Tree that once stood there.

Then Chris Kaufman had an idea. She thought, why not plant a new Oak? Her husband, Jerry Kaufman, agreed; so they purchased a Red Oak, and he and his great-grandson, 16-year-old Kaiden Lott, planted the young Oak in the very spot of the original Tree. It took Jerry several days of hard work to remove the old stump, and then Jerry and Kaiden prepared the hole and planted the new Oak Tree on July 21st.

This tree will no doubt grow and stand for the next 200+ years, bringing joy to new generations and to those who loved and miss the Oak at the Paulding House Museum. Many thanks to Chris, Jerry, and Kaiden for this wonderful gift.

08/19/2026

Here they are, photos from our 50th Anniversary Celebration!

A few of the people, displays and music at the South County Historical Society 50th Anniversary Celebration. Photos are in no particular order.

08/16/2026

A good time was had by one and all at the Historical Society's 50th Anniversary event. Lots of photos coming soon. Here's a piece in this afternoon's KSBYs page. South County Board Member Vivian Krug Cotton photographing Karen Talley Miller's family and friends. Click on the link for a few words from Society President Jim Gregory.

The South County Historical Society celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday. The group held a party during the afternoon at Heritage Square Park in Arroyo Grande.

08/15/2026

Live now in Heritage Square Park celebrating the Historical Society's 50th Anniversary until 4pm today. Come on down.

08/07/2026

From SCHS President Jim Gregory:

Had a grand time--I think they did, too!--giving a group from the Arroyo Grande United Methodist Church a tour of historic Branch Street yesterday. I was pretty pooped at the end, but it was a good way to get my brain back in shape and to represent the South County Historical Society.

Among the topics Branch Street embraces (more or less): Front-yard tombstones; dense saloonage; an exchange of gunfire in the Ryan Hotel stables; the Tower of London; a double lynching; Pearl Harbor; doctors and dentists; John Steinbeck; wets v. drys (the 1911 incorporation fight); the Great Depression's impact; the fatal shooting of a town constable; Japanese, Azorean, Italian Swiss and Bohemian immigration; and, of course, the narrow-gauge PCRR, whose locomotive, in its maiden run, terrified a group of little Arroyo Grande boys.

07/10/2026

  I get asked sometimes how I do my research for my books. They are small books, but I was asked again yesterday and decided, just to be able to answer future questions semi-coherently, to set…

07/05/2026

Clipping found in The Arroyo Grande Valley Herald Recorder published in Arroyo Grande, California on 7/8/1926. A Pismo Fourth 100 Years Ago

07/02/2026

The terrible trouble Dan Sickles got this man inot at Gettysubrg.