Charles H. Johnson came to San Luis Obispo in 1856. Starting as the First deputy collector of customs, he would later to go on and do so much more.
Mr. Johnson was a shipping merchant, and working with Mr.John Finley, loaded a cargo ship, the Rhone, which departed Baltimore and traveled to ports in South America and the Sandwich Islands. The ship returned to California with a large supply of goods from Asia after the news of gold being discovered, the two changed their plans to dispose of their property but instead establish an importing agency, soon becoming the largest in California. Great warehouses were built and stored with hundreds of thousands of dollars in goods. The great fire of May 4, 1850 swept away everything. No insurance could be obtained and the loss was total. They rebuilt, but again in 1850 another fire broke out loosing thousands. Once again, they rebuilt, but the fire of 1851 burned eighteen blocks of San Francisco costing the company of Finley, Johnson & Co. more than a quarter of a million dollars worth of merchandise. Both settled with creditors and folded the business.
Mr. Johnson moved to Monterey, and soon there-after received the appointment of Deputy Collector of Customs of the district and afterwards Inspector of Customs at Port San Luis in 1852 until 1860.
That year he was elected to the State Assembly of 1860-61.
Charles bought property on the corner of Higuera Street and Chorro for the price of $5. Here is a video of that transaction.
In 1868 Charles purchased land on Stenner Creek just west of town.
Under the laws of the state, Charles H. Johnson, president of the board of trustees, helped organize the town of San Luis Obispo. Johnson obtained a patent from the United States for the land on which the town was located. Here is a copy of that patent issued October 5th, 1871, conveying 572 acres.
Mr.Johnson was also involved in getting the rail line connecting Avila Beach to San Luis Obispo along with C. H. Phillips in December 1875.
Charles was married to Jennie W. Cox July 9th, 1878 in San Luis Obispo.
C.H. Johnson passed away on April 8, 1915.
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