Templeton Real Estate

Like most of California 's central coast, the area around what would eventually become Templeton, was occupied by the Salinas Native American tribe. Even today, it's easy to find artifacts of this ancient civilization with a shovel if you know where to look.

In the 1760s, the Spaniards began building their famous chain of missions from what's now called Baja California Mexico north. The goal was to have a mission a day or two walk away from the last. They started building in the south and worked their way north.

The resultant trail or road was called Camino del Rio or King's Road and still runs the length of the state fairly close to the original route. Templeton is the only town along this famous highway named for a person. It's also close to both Mission San Miguel Arcángel and Mission San Antonio de Padua.

Templeton was actually created by what today we'd call a real estate development company. In 1886, the West Coast Land Company sent C. H. Phillips to survey 160 acres south of Paso Robles. The company then created a plan for business lots and residential parcels ranging from 5 to twelve acres. The goal was to take advantage of the great weather, gentle land, and cheap property prices along the stage coach line.

The arrival of the Southern Pacific Rail Road from San Luis Obispo in 1886 secured the town's future. Templeton is also about midway along the rudimentary highway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. At one time the town had quite a reputation – for saloons and brawls!

The arrival of the rail road meant a name had to be chosen. Initially the town was to be called Crocker after Colonel Charles Frederick Crocker, son of the famous San Francisco financier. The Colonel wasn't happy with the choice and suggested the town be named after his son, Templeton, instead, so Templeton it became.

All sorts of people came to Templeton, but the majority of immigrants to the town were Swedish. They were drawn to the area by an advertising campaign in the East and Midwest, for a variety of reasons. The relatively open, tree-free land was a big motivation because it meant easy farming.

In 1889, the rail road terminus was moved about 15 miles to the south, which put Templeton into a gentle decline.

Things began to turn around again for Templeton when wine grapes were introduced into the area in the 1960s and 1970s. The land was far too good to ignore. With it's proximity to Paso Robles to the North and Atascadero and San Luis Obispo to the south, Templeton offers a true rural feeling without giving up any of the amenities.

Templeton is unincorporated. The Templeton Area Advisory Group is working with the county of San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly University to establish a general plan for the area. It is considered business friendly.

Homes in and around Templeton are delightful. The town's central coast location, with good access along Highway 101, plus the rail road, assures its value and appreciation.

You'll find condominiums of good value and single family homes of all sorts. There are small cottages close to town, custom homes on large lots and parcels of land suitable for horses. There are also modern homes in well planned communities.

Shari Schramm can guide you to finding exactly the home or property you want in Templeton.