Ah Louis Store, San Luis Obispo
The Ah Louis Store is a historic landmark that holds significant cultural and historical importance. Owned by Wong, more commonly known as Ah Louis, the store played a vital role in the development of the Central Coast of California during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Ah Louis was a prominent Chinese American figure in San Luis Obispo. He held various roles as a banker, labor contractor, farmer, and shopkeeper, leaving a lasting impact on the community. His contributions to the region include organizing Chinese laborers during the construction of the Pacific Coast Railway's Avila鈥擯ort Harford spur and the tunnels through Cuesta Grade over the Santa Lucia Range. Ah Louis was instrumental in the growth and progress of the area.
Recognizing the needs of the local Chinese community, Ah Louis opened the first East Asian mercantile in San Luis Obispo County in 1874. The store provided a range of goods, including rice, rum, and opium (opium use was legal until 1915). The original wooden structure was later replaced with a sturdy brick building in 1885, constructed from bricks sourced from Ah Louis's own brickyard. Located at 800 Palm Street on the corner of Chorro Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, the building stands as a reminder of the city's historic Chinatown.
Today, the Ah Louis Store is owned by William Watson, Ah Louis's great-grandson. The ground floor of the building operates as a retail store, offering visitors a glimpse into the past while providing a unique shopping experience. The store's historical significance is recognized at both the state and national levels. It has been designated as California State Historical Landmark number 802 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ah Louis was a prominent Chinese American figure in San Luis Obispo. He held various roles as a banker, labor contractor, farmer, and shopkeeper, leaving a lasting impact on the community. His contributions to the region include organizing Chinese laborers during the construction of the Pacific Coast Railway's Avila鈥擯ort Harford spur and the tunnels through Cuesta Grade over the Santa Lucia Range. Ah Louis was instrumental in the growth and progress of the area.
Recognizing the needs of the local Chinese community, Ah Louis opened the first East Asian mercantile in San Luis Obispo County in 1874. The store provided a range of goods, including rice, rum, and opium (opium use was legal until 1915). The original wooden structure was later replaced with a sturdy brick building in 1885, constructed from bricks sourced from Ah Louis's own brickyard. Located at 800 Palm Street on the corner of Chorro Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, the building stands as a reminder of the city's historic Chinatown.
Today, the Ah Louis Store is owned by William Watson, Ah Louis's great-grandson. The ground floor of the building operates as a retail store, offering visitors a glimpse into the past while providing a unique shopping experience. The store's historical significance is recognized at both the state and national levels. It has been designated as California State Historical Landmark number 802 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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Ah Louis Store on Map
Sight Name: Ah Louis Store
Sight Location: San Luis Obispo, USA (See walking tours in San Luis Obispo)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Luis Obispo, USA (See walking tours in San Luis Obispo)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Luis Obispo, California
Create Your Own Walk in San Luis Obispo
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Luis Obispo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
San Luis Obispo Historical Buildings Walk
Architecture 鈥� the thoughtful making of space. One of the timeless values of historical buildings is that they continue to shape people long after the people shaped them originally. In the context of San Luis Obispo's historic architecture, it reminds us of the thoughtful design and craftsmanship that went into creating the buildings that still stand as symbols of the city's enduring... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
San Luis Obispo Introduction Walking Tour
San Luis Obispo, or SLO for short, is a lovely Californian city with a strong Spanish heritage. Situated in the heart of the state's central coast, this hidden gem is known for its ability to 鈥渃aptivate the soul with its allure of beautiful natural setting, vibrant downtown area, and cultural scene.鈥�
The region's history dates back thousands of years to the Chumash Native American... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles
The region's history dates back thousands of years to the Chumash Native American... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.9 Km or 0.6 Miles