Mission Statement
The
Templeton Chamber of Commerce promotes economic vitality, quality
of life, and encourages cooperation within our community.
Templeton
Chamber of Commerce History
The original Templeton Board of Trade was formed in 1913 to promote
trade and commerce, for the promotion of work, and for advertising
to encourage growth in the community.
In May of 1979, a town meeting was held to determine whether or
not to revitalize the Board of Trade. It was overwhelmingly accepted
and a new organization known as the Templeton Chamber of Commerce
- Board of Trade was formed. This was in keeping with the original
historical name, but also realizing the need to be a member of
a nationally recognized organization such as the Chamber of Commerce.
The
organization consists of local businesses, professionals and individual
members who are committed to promoting economic vitality, quality
of life, and encouraging cooperation within our community.
Templeton History
Templeton was founded in 1886 when C.H. Phillips of the West Coast
Land Company sent R.R. Harris to survey 160 acres south of Paso
Robles. This acreage was to be laid out in business and residential
lots and 5-12 acre parcels for a town named "Crocker" after the
famous San Francisco financier. When it was discovered that there
was already a town by that name, this settlement became "Templeton",
named after Crocker's son. This is the only town along the El
Camino Real named for a person rather than a saint. Templeton
was fathered by the railroad, built on the main highway between
San Francisco and Los Angeles and, in its heyday, had a reputation
for its saloon brawls and wild 'n' rough street scenes. The town
was the end of the line for passengers coming from the north.
Tourists disembarked here and took a stagecoach south to San Luis
Obispo. In 1891 the railroad continued south and the town was
reduced to a flag stop and is now a bypass. In 1897 there was
a great fire which burned most of the business district. The town
was rebuilt, but not to its former glory. In 1965, Josephine Gilfillan
wrote for the Paso Robles Press a series of pieces on Templeton.
Newcomers kept asking, "Why was Templeton was built so close to
Paso Robles and Atascadero," she said. "I wanted to tell them
that Templeton came first." Today Templeton is a small quiet town
with a strong community spirit and a vision to preserve its colorful
past.
Templeton Historical
Museum Society
Templeton
Area Advisory Group
