Templeton to celebrate Founder’s Day Nov. 16
–The town of Templeton will celebrate Founders Day this year on Nov. 16, from 12-3 p.m. downtown Templeton. Pie and cake will be served as supplies last at the Templeton Historical Museum. The museum is located at 309 So. Main Street in Templeton.
November 20, 1886 is the day the first Southern Pacific passenger arrived in the new town of Templeton. Southern Pacific was extending the railroad from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The route terminus for three years was Templeton.
During these years, Templeton became a thriving community thanks in large part because of the West Coast Land Company, which (reportedly), had inside information about where the terminus would be beforehand and purchased thousands of acres prior to Southern Pacific making the announcement. The new town was subdivided and lots sold by the land company and soon Templeton was boosting many hotels, restaurants, and saloons.
Templeton Historical Museum Society has been remembering that historic date since 2006. The museum will provide short lectures relative to Templeton’s history, tours of the museum buildings, including a demonstration by a working blacksmith, and (weather permitting) a guided walking tour discovering the old buildings in Templeton.
In addition, this year the restored 1932 Templeton School bus will be officially dedicated by those who volunteered hundreds of hours in the restoration of the bus. The dedication will commence at 11:30 a.m.
