History of Paso Robles, California
Roots in the old west.
Paso Robles — "El Paso de Robles," the Pass of the Oaks — has a past as rich as its wines.
The Salinan people lived in this region for thousands of years before European settlement and knew the area's natural mineral springs.
The Paso Robles hot springs draw visitors long before Paso becomes a town. Franciscan padres from nearby Mission San Miguel recognize the healing mineral waters.
Daniel and James Blackburn and Lazarus Godchaux purchase the 25,993-acre Rancho Paso de Robles land grant. When the partners divide it in 1860, Daniel Blackburn takes the portion containing the famous springs and the future townsite.
Paso's first bathhouse — eight wooden tubs over the main mineral spring, at what is now 10th and Spring Streets — begins the community's development as a health and resort destination.
The area's first post office opens under the name “Hot Springs.” Later that year, the name is changed to “El Paso de Robles,” after the historic land grant.
Drury Woodson James, uncle of the outlaw Jesse James, moves to Paso Robles as half owner of the townsite. Together with Daniel Blackburn, James helps shape the young community and develop its famous mineral springs into a destination health resort — the two men are remembered as the founders of Paso Robles.
Andrew York, a settler from Indiana, plants vineyards and establishes Ascension Winery — later known as York Mountain Winery — helping establish commercial winemaking in the region decades before Paso's modern wine boom.
The Southern Pacific Railroad reaches Paso Robles, dramatically improving access to the young community. A grand land auction follows within weeks, accelerating the development of the town.
The City of El Paso de Robles is officially incorporated, growing around its famous hot springs, agriculture, hotels and expanding downtown.
The grand Hotel El Paso de Robles opens, helping establish Paso as a nationally known mineral-springs resort destination.
Paso Robles' Carnegie Library opens with funding from philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The historic building survives today in Downtown City Park as the Paso Robles History Museum.
World-famous pianist and future Polish statesman Ignacy Jan Paderewski comes to Paso Robles for its mineral waters. He buys land west of town, establishes Rancho San Ignacio, and later plants vineyards and orchards.
Paso Robles becomes famous for another crop: almonds. Vast orchards surrounding the community help earn Paso its reputation as the “Almond City.”
The grand Hotel El Paso de Robles is destroyed by fire, ending an important chapter in the city's early history as a mineral-springs resort.
Camp Roberts opens north of Paso Robles during World War II, bringing thousands of soldiers and significant wartime growth to the area.
The California Mid-State Fair begins, becoming one of the region's signature annual traditions.
Paso Robles is officially designated an American Viticultural Area (AVA), an important milestone in the development of the region's modern wine industry.
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake centered near San Simeon strikes the Central Coast, causing serious damage in Downtown Paso Robles and the loss of two lives. It also creates an extraordinary link to Paso's past: mineral water begins flowing again near the site of the historic hot springs.
The Paso Robles AVA is divided into 11 distinct viticultural areas, formally recognizing the diversity of soils, climate and terroir across the wine region.
Paso Robles has grown into one of California's best-known wine and travel destinations, while keeping the hot springs, agriculture, historic downtown and independent character that shaped the community long before the modern wine boom.
Mission San Miguel Arcángel — founded 1797 just north of Paso, one of California's best-preserved missions with original frescoes. And Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa anchors downtown SLO, about 30 minutes south. Both are living history worth a visit.