The Sebastian Store is a California Historical Landmark (#726) in San Simeon, California, United States. It is the oldest store building along the north coast of San Luis Obispo County. It was built in the 1860s at Whaling Point, one-half mile to the west of its current location where it was moved in 1878.[1] The Sebastian family operated the store for 94 years.[2]

Sebastian Store
Sebastian Store in 1989
TypeHistoric store
Location442 San Simeon Road, San Simeon, California
Coordinates35°38′36″N 121°11′29″W / 35.6433°N 121.1913°W / 35.6433; -121.1913
Built1860s
Reference no.726[1]
Sebastian Store is located in California
Sebastian Store
Location of Sebastian Store in California
Sebastian Store is located in the United States
Sebastian Store
Sebastian Store (the United States)

It was built in 1852 by Captain Joseph Clark (birthname Machado) [3] to provide goods and services to whalers and the surrounding community. It was moved from the point to its present location by George Hearst and operated by the Thorndyke family until 1914.[4] According to a 2016 article on the "Cambria History Exchange", the store was established in 1852 by Juan Castro (son-in-law of John Wilson) who owned a portion of Rancho Piedra Blanca.[5]

Aside from the Hearst family, other prominent customers were reported to include Thomas Edison, Calvin Coolidge, George Bernard Shaw and Winston Churchill.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Sebastian Store". Office of Historic Preservation, California State Parks. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
  2. ^ Brennan, Scott (October 16, 2014). "McPhee's acquires historic Sebastian's Store & Deli in San Simeon". Paso Robles Daily News. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  3. ^ Robert C. Pavlik. "Shore Whaling at San Simeon Bay". History in San Luis Obispo County. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  4. ^ "About Sebastian Store". Hearst Ranch Winery. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Sebastian's Store". Cambria History Exchange. Archived from the original on January 5, 2017. Retrieved May 27, 2021.