Price

 

John Michael Price was born on September 29, 1810 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. He is the son of John Price and Mary Wingate. At the young age of 15 John became a sailor boy, going on a three-year voyage as a whaler in the Southern Ocean. Upon returning from this trip, John shipped on the bark Kent, this time heading to the Pacific Ocean, once again in search of whales. Sailing along the Spanish coast of South America and Mexico, they entered the harbor of Monterey. Sailing south in search of whales, the crew came upon "millions and millions" of sea elephants, and in an attempt to capture as much of the kill for their blubber, they abandoned the effort and instead headed Mexico to resupply with fresh water and wood.

It was at a Colima that young Price and a fellow apprentice decided to jump ship due to ill treatment from the ship captain and his harsh treatment of his crew. It was the perfect time, as the ship was set to sail, and the captain didn't have time to search for the departed. The town people of Colima made Mr. Price feel at home, remaining there for many years.

Venturing back to Monterey with a German gentleman, they arrived in 1830, and since this date, has been his home in California. John remained there for six or seven years before heading to San Luis Obispo, where he engaged as vaquero for Captain William G. Dana on the Nipomo. John happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time ended up being taken prisoner and taken to Santa Barbara as a revolutionist. 

 

John and others in his situation were taken to Santa Barbara, and finally Tepic, Mexico. After a time the men demanded $400 compensation from the Mexican government for their losses and suffering, and eventually returned to Monterey. By 1846 John had made is way back to Arroyo Grande where he lived in an old Adobe. John Fremont stopped by his place on his way through the area.

 

Mr. Price worked for Issac Sparks who owned Pismo Rancho, and rather than pay John in cash offered him property that eventually became Shell Beach, Pismo Beach and Grover Beach.

Here is the 1870 federal census that lists John's land value at $11,000, far more than his neighbors.

As you can see from the list below, John Price was busy in civic duties from 1848 to 1875.

In 1875, Price took the first step toward founding the community of Pismo Beach when he built a hotel on the road from Arroyo Grande to the People’s Wharf in Avila Beach. The hotel was not a success and Price had the hotel moved to the beach in 1884.

In 1881, Price leased oceanfront land to the Meherin brothers to build a wharf and a warehouse. This wharf at the end of Main Street was successful as was the hotel in its new location next to the wharf operation. The school district was founded in 1888, and the Post Office was also established then.

Map of Pismo Beach in 1887.