pamphlet for Historic Burton Drive

A Brief History of
Cambria
CAMBRIA
Points of Interest
Cambria was originally settled in the early
1860s, when William Leffingwell built the
area's first sawmill (now the site of Leffingwell's
Landing picnic grounds at Moonstone Beach).
The original development of what is now Old
Town took place in 1866, and for several years
the village went by various names, including
Santa Rosa, Rosaville, San Simeon and Slabtown, a nickname inspired by the rough-hewn
boards, with slabs of bark still intact, used for
most of the town's early buildings.
The town grew quickly as many Italian-Swiss
homesteaders and ranchers settled in the area,
and in 1869 the name Cambria was officially
adopted. {According to the Cambria Chamber
of Commerce, Cambria is pronounced with a
short "a", as in sand.)
By the 1880s Cambria was the second
largest town in the county, with a population of
nearly 7,000, or about twice that of today. In
addition to being the Central Coast's major
seaport and whaling station, Cambria was an
active center of mining, dairy farming, lum
inexpensive lots sight unseen. Other
developers soon followed, and a new com
bering and ranching.
Two events curtailed Cambria's early
in the heart of Old Town Cambria, offers a
variety of unique shops, galleries and fine
Acres of exotic cactus, succulents and other specimen
plants. North of Cambria on Highway One at Moonstone
growth. First, the "great fire" of 1889
destroyed the town's entire business section.
eating establishments for your daytime and
Beach Drive.
mercial area was established on Main Street,
west of Cambria's original business district.
Today, these two distinct parts of Cambria still
exist as the East Village (Old Town) and West
Village.
Hearst
Castle
Toursfrom8;20a.m. to3;20p.m. daily exceptThanksgiving
and Christmas. Three interior tours year-round; garden tour
April - October. Reservations, tickets available through
Ticketron. Seven miles north of Cambria.
Lefflngweli Landing
North of Cambria on Moonstorte Beach Drive. I^cnic grounds,
The Cambrian, the community's weekly
tidepools, and good opportunities for watching whales, sea ot
newspaper, has reported the news in and
around Cambria since it was first published in
1931. Pinedorado, Cambria's popular Labor
County park with playground, picnic^roiindsrEBQ, swim
Day celebration, began in 1948 and each year
ters.
Moonstone
Castle (now the number-two tourist attraction
in the United States), Cambria has become in
creasingly popular as a vacation area and
resort.
Surrounded by working ranches, farms and
vineyards, Cambria today has approximately
3,500 residents, including many professionals,
artists and craftspeople. Burton Drive, with its
Victorian architecture and spectacular setting
evening enjoyment.
Then, in 1894, railroad lines were extended in
Beach
tidepools. Highway One to Moonstone Beach Drive.'
San Simeon Beach State Park
On Highway One between Cambria and San Simeon. 500
acres, 130 campsites, beach, picnic grounds, BBQ, hiking,
swimming, rock and surf fishing.
Scenic Highway One
terey Peninsula.
Nitwit Ridge
Unique,'organic home built over the past 40 years by Captain
Nitwit (aka ArtBeal) from bits of seashell, stone and other found
objects. Located in the hills above West Cambria.
Moonstone
Gardens
Santa Rosa Creek Road
Scenic drive through rural farm country. Take Main Street
Highway 46,
Shops, Galleries,
Restaurants & Lodging
on Burton Drive and the
other historic thorough
East Village,
founded in
the 1860s
In 1924 the first improved road to Cambria
was completed, and land developers began to
OLD TOWN
take interest in the town. In 1927 the Cambria
Development Company built the Cambria
Pines Lodge and subdivided a large tract of
land into small (25' by 75') lots. Called Cam
nationwide, and many people purchased the
A Guide to
fares of Cambria's
This Guide Compliments of:
access roads.
bria Pines, the subdivision was advertised
BUKTON
DWVE
Cambria is the southern gateway to America's most scenic
highway. Breathtaking drive north to BigSur, Carmel and Mon
east, turn left on Santa Rosa Creek Road. Connects with
to San Luis Obispo from the south, resulting in
a rapid decline in coastal shipping. As in
dustrial and transportation centers developed
elsewhere in the county, Cambria became
physically and economically isolated, due
primarily to the extremely poor condition of
_
ming pool (open in summer). Rock and surf fishing, trails,
attracts thousands of visitors to the parade and
fair. Since the 1958 opening of nearby Hearst
fllSKSUc
The Guthrie home, comer of Center and Burton, 1890.
From the collection of Mrs. Manuel Williams (nee Neva
Bright). Courtesy of Cambria Librarv-
CAMBRIA
BURTON
© Copyright 1983
Burton Drive Association
CALIFORNIA
R E S TA U R A N T S
and LODGING
SHOPS and
GALLERIES
5 The Brambles Dinner House - Featuring
oakwood pits and ovens for steaks, fish and
prime rib. Open daily, Monday through
Saturday, 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m.
1 OLD VILLAGE MERCANTILE
Ball & Skein • Handknit sweaters, hand-
aafted gifts, fine imported yams and needle
work accessories. And, a year-round Tis-theSeason boutique of handmade ornaments and
Christmas
decorations.
Reservations
sweaters, accessories, active sport — including
and domestic selections. Reservations advised.
dancewear and swimwear. Junior, missy and
927-8742
927-8880
7 Grey Fox Inn - Continental cuisine, fresh
seafood nightly, vegetables steamed fresh.
Grimaldrs - Assorted delicious confections,
Caswell Massey, Berea College Handcrafts,
Renaissance greeting cards, original watercolors by skilled California artists. 927-8880
Moonstones - Stained glass and crafts by
Lunch Monday through Saturday. Sunday
Brunch. Dinner from 5:30. Garden Patio and
Terrace dining. Reservations advised.
927-3305
local artists. Graphics and original drawings.
Wide selection of unusual gifts, silk flowers,
candles, oil lamps and travel accessories.
8 J. Patrick House - Experience the charm of a
small country inn. Beautifully appointed
rooms, each with private bath and fireplace.
Lovely garden and public rooms. Opening
Select California wines. 927-3447
Periwinkle's - Crystal, collectibles, dolls,
frames, animals, Crabtree & Evelyn Soaps,
stained glass window hangers and more.
927-3932
Rainbow Cotton Company • A soft, colorful
world of quilted pillows, hangings, toys and
home accessories—all locally handcrafted.
Bright banners, kites and windsocks. Distinctive
fabrics.
Fall, 1983. For information, advance reser
Seekers - The very best of California fine art
and craft. One-of-a-kind, museum-quality
works in stained glass, crystal, porcelain,
ceramic, wood, metal and mixed media. From
sculpture to goblets, paperweights, vases and
other functional forms. All signed originals.
927-4352
927-3981
Susie^s - Remington collectibles, decorative
candles, music boxes, unique wrappings,
2 THE CORNER STORE
Casa de Oro - The classic jewelry of Sheila
Hollingshead, designer/goldsmith. Specializing
in opals, freshwater pearls and cubic zirconia.
Guest exhibits.
Karen's - A varied selection of junior sportswecir for women. Featuring Brittania pants and
tops, La Blanca swimwear. Plus skirts,
blouses, sweaters, shorts, leotards and more.
927-4716
3:30. Dinner 5:30 - 9:30. Sunday Cham
pagne Brunch 10 - 2:30. Wine bar with imported
for men, women and children. Shoes,
sizes.
must.
cuisine, steaks, pasta, fresh seafood and other
specialties. AAA approved. Lunch 11:30 -
927-3280
The Greenroom - Carefully selected fashions
ample
a
6 Caffe Porta'Via - Continental and Italian
Stylecraft, frames, children's items, many
other gift ideas.
The Nest - For those who love the unusual,
The Nest offers a vciried selection of handaafted
carvings in wood and stone, miniature imports,
beautiful scrimshaw, and much more to delight
the senses.
3
BURTON
HOUSE
Cadwell's Home Furnishings - See us for
quality furniture, carpets, window coverings
and accessories with country charm and ser
v i c e . We d e l i v e r t h r o u g h o u t . 9 2 7 - 8 3 6 7
Chelsea Shoppe - Fine crystal, Imported
stemware and antiques. Porcelain by Lladro,
Miessen, Herend, Hummel and Hutschenreuther; limited edition wildlife figures by Naruri
USA. Michael Garman Western sculptures.
Va l S t . L a m b e r t c r y s t a l . 9 2 7 - 8 1 0 0
4 Cambria Nursery & Florist • A full-service
nursery and florist. Garden and lawn supplies,
houseplants, pottery, fountains, fresh cut
flowers and arrangements. Outdoor weddings
our
s p e c i a l t y.
927-4747
F O R A N E N T E R TA I N I N G E V E N I N G -
Shops and Galleries often open 'til 10 p.m.
vations;
927-3812
9 Upper Crust Bakery & Tearoom - "Every
thing we make, we make from scratch." Con
tinental breakfast, light lunches, afternoon tea.
Croissants, doughnuts, pastries, fresh breads.
Burnardo'z ice cream. Open 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
Tuesday through Saturday, Sunday 7 a.m. to
3
p.m.
927-8227
Bed & Breakfast Homestay - B&B
accomodations, all with private bath {$30$40 for 2), and vacation homes with ocean
views, pine trees {$45-$75 for 2). Nightly, 3Day, Weekly Rates. M.C. Visa, P.O. Box
326, Cambria, CA 93428. (805) 927-4613.