A Tour OF mission plaza
By Yifei Ma
Mission Plaza, containing Carnegie City Library, Mission de Tolosa(the church), San Luis Obispo Creek, Mission Square and Mission Mall, is located in San Luis Obispo, California. During summer months, local residents and tourists congregate in Mission Plaza, enjoying free concerts every friday night. Throughout the year, events like SLO International Film Festival, Festival Mosaic and Plein Air Festival are also held here annually. With the benefit of being contiguous to downtown San Luis Obispo, Mission Plaza is as well a great place to rest after shopping or enjoy the sunlight in California.
Carnegie City Library
Sitting on the edge of Mission Plaza, Carnegie City Library was founded in the year of 1905 by Andrew Carnegie, and later became home to SLO county Historical Museum in 1953.
Andrew Carnegie, a British businessman, was born poor in 1835. However, he had a very smart mind for business. Instead of saving his income every month, he invested it on the railroad, or in other words- steel, in the 1850’s. From investing money for industry supplies, Carnegie earned millions of dollars, which would be hundred billions of dollars in today’s currency.
Carnegie was a warm-hearted man, he always kept the communities and people in mind. The libraries or city halls named after him are all over the U.S., Washington D.C., New York City, etc.
The funny thing is although there is one of the Carnegie City Libraries in San Luis Obispo, Carnegie himself was never in SLO in his entire life. People all around America back in the century simply needed to write a letter to Carnegie and explained their issues, and he would send money to help them financially, which was not only how this Carnegie Library in SLO was built, but also elsewhere in America.
“This library meant a lot to this community”, Victoria Brien, the librarian who has been working there for 10 years now said, “As you can see this building is really small. But imagine a hundred years ago, when there was neither television nor computer, 18000 local residents tried to fit in here and read.” Brien also shared that the downstairs used to be a children’s play room.
Later the city built a larger library next to the Little Theatre in 1955 and wanted to tear down the old Carnegie Library. The destruction was stopped by Louisiana Clayton Dart, who was a history lover, mover and shaker for the community. The third library (San Luis Obispo County Library) was built later on.
The street outside the Carnegie City Library wasn’t as quiet as it is now, it was a business street. “If you were bored from reading,” Brien said, “you just had to look out of those French windows, and you could see nearly the whole town as well as some car lovers racing on the street sometimes.”
Today, in the age of fast technology, this building has become the History Center of SLO County. As one of the favorites for tourists, Brien said two thirds of visitors are from out of SLO County, such as the U.K., Germany, China, Brazil, Australia, Canada and so on.
“And one of the most common questions that they ask is: “Are you part of the Mission” or “Where is the Mission”.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
As one of the must-go places on many Catholics’ lists, Mission de Tolosa, is a building with multiple uses- from church, museum, to book and gift shop. It was founded 1772 by Fr. Junipero Serra.
While one opens the door of the church, the pleasant smell and sacred music are the signs of welcoming. The quiet atmosphere creates an opportunity for the believers to really calm deep down and talk close to God. In this place, people come and go, fulfilling their own needs. Some kneel down and pray while others just sit there on the bench quietly with their heads down. Additionally, there are special rooms for those who need to pray in a private space.
On the walls, pictures acting out the life of Jesus Christ, decorations of flowers and birds are everywhere. The lightings on the ceiling are all made up of circles of candles which symbolize hope and faith.
There are weekly masses. Mission College Prep High School, Old Mission Middle and Pre School are also holding their monthly masses in this sacred place as well as their graduations.
On the other side of the building is a gift shop that sells history booklets, rings, tour guides, Jesus status, Nichos, stained glass votive holders and other souvenirs. The museum and Book shop are connected in the back.
SLO Creek
SLO Creek is one of the local favorites in San Luis Obispo. According to history, San Luis Obispo city was built around the Creek. SLO Creek runs through and even under the town, receiving untreated storm run-off.
During the summer, while the crickets are too hot to flap their wings, why not come here, sit on one of the benches or on the grass under the shade next to the water, and enjoy a cool breeze with your family or friends?
Mission Mall
One side of Mission Mall connects to Mission Plaza while the other side leads people directly to downtown.
Although it is a small shopping center, it can fulfill all needs. Simply Mama sells clothes for maternity and baby; Mr. Michaels for shopping furs, fine clothing, leather and jewelry; Birkenstock for buying shoes and Just Looking Gallery for some amazing artwork.
Contact Info.
History Center of San Luis Obispo
Eva Ulz- Curator
696 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)543-0638 ext.12
Fax (805)783-2919
[email protected]
www.historycenterslo.org & www.dallidet.org
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
(805)781-8220
Parish Fax (805)781-8214
[email protected]
www.missionsanluisobispo.org
751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401
Mission Plaza, containing Carnegie City Library, Mission de Tolosa(the church), San Luis Obispo Creek, Mission Square and Mission Mall, is located in San Luis Obispo, California. During summer months, local residents and tourists congregate in Mission Plaza, enjoying free concerts every friday night. Throughout the year, events like SLO International Film Festival, Festival Mosaic and Plein Air Festival are also held here annually. With the benefit of being contiguous to downtown San Luis Obispo, Mission Plaza is as well a great place to rest after shopping or enjoy the sunlight in California.
Carnegie City Library
Sitting on the edge of Mission Plaza, Carnegie City Library was founded in the year of 1905 by Andrew Carnegie, and later became home to SLO county Historical Museum in 1953.
Andrew Carnegie, a British businessman, was born poor in 1835. However, he had a very smart mind for business. Instead of saving his income every month, he invested it on the railroad, or in other words- steel, in the 1850’s. From investing money for industry supplies, Carnegie earned millions of dollars, which would be hundred billions of dollars in today’s currency.
Carnegie was a warm-hearted man, he always kept the communities and people in mind. The libraries or city halls named after him are all over the U.S., Washington D.C., New York City, etc.
The funny thing is although there is one of the Carnegie City Libraries in San Luis Obispo, Carnegie himself was never in SLO in his entire life. People all around America back in the century simply needed to write a letter to Carnegie and explained their issues, and he would send money to help them financially, which was not only how this Carnegie Library in SLO was built, but also elsewhere in America.
“This library meant a lot to this community”, Victoria Brien, the librarian who has been working there for 10 years now said, “As you can see this building is really small. But imagine a hundred years ago, when there was neither television nor computer, 18000 local residents tried to fit in here and read.” Brien also shared that the downstairs used to be a children’s play room.
Later the city built a larger library next to the Little Theatre in 1955 and wanted to tear down the old Carnegie Library. The destruction was stopped by Louisiana Clayton Dart, who was a history lover, mover and shaker for the community. The third library (San Luis Obispo County Library) was built later on.
The street outside the Carnegie City Library wasn’t as quiet as it is now, it was a business street. “If you were bored from reading,” Brien said, “you just had to look out of those French windows, and you could see nearly the whole town as well as some car lovers racing on the street sometimes.”
Today, in the age of fast technology, this building has become the History Center of SLO County. As one of the favorites for tourists, Brien said two thirds of visitors are from out of SLO County, such as the U.K., Germany, China, Brazil, Australia, Canada and so on.
“And one of the most common questions that they ask is: “Are you part of the Mission” or “Where is the Mission”.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
As one of the must-go places on many Catholics’ lists, Mission de Tolosa, is a building with multiple uses- from church, museum, to book and gift shop. It was founded 1772 by Fr. Junipero Serra.
While one opens the door of the church, the pleasant smell and sacred music are the signs of welcoming. The quiet atmosphere creates an opportunity for the believers to really calm deep down and talk close to God. In this place, people come and go, fulfilling their own needs. Some kneel down and pray while others just sit there on the bench quietly with their heads down. Additionally, there are special rooms for those who need to pray in a private space.
On the walls, pictures acting out the life of Jesus Christ, decorations of flowers and birds are everywhere. The lightings on the ceiling are all made up of circles of candles which symbolize hope and faith.
There are weekly masses. Mission College Prep High School, Old Mission Middle and Pre School are also holding their monthly masses in this sacred place as well as their graduations.
On the other side of the building is a gift shop that sells history booklets, rings, tour guides, Jesus status, Nichos, stained glass votive holders and other souvenirs. The museum and Book shop are connected in the back.
SLO Creek
SLO Creek is one of the local favorites in San Luis Obispo. According to history, San Luis Obispo city was built around the Creek. SLO Creek runs through and even under the town, receiving untreated storm run-off.
During the summer, while the crickets are too hot to flap their wings, why not come here, sit on one of the benches or on the grass under the shade next to the water, and enjoy a cool breeze with your family or friends?
Mission Mall
One side of Mission Mall connects to Mission Plaza while the other side leads people directly to downtown.
Although it is a small shopping center, it can fulfill all needs. Simply Mama sells clothes for maternity and baby; Mr. Michaels for shopping furs, fine clothing, leather and jewelry; Birkenstock for buying shoes and Just Looking Gallery for some amazing artwork.
Contact Info.
History Center of San Luis Obispo
Eva Ulz- Curator
696 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
(805)543-0638 ext.12
Fax (805)783-2919
[email protected]
www.historycenterslo.org & www.dallidet.org
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa
(805)781-8220
Parish Fax (805)781-8214
[email protected]
www.missionsanluisobispo.org
751 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401