Help us raise funds
to restore and preserve the Paulding History House!

Helping us will also preserve your family legacy by becoming part of history
on the property of Paulding History House.

      
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       photos Vivian Krug

The South County Historical Society requests your help and invites you to participate and become part of the history of the Arroyo Grande Valley by making a donation,an adoption or becoming a sponsor to raise funds needed for the restoration and preservation of the Paulding History House by adopting a bench, purchasing a brick or sponsoring a garden area on the Paulding property.  With your help you, your friends, relatives, children, businesses, will be memorialized forever.  More info below.

Paulding History House receives Historic Designation! 

The Society prepared and presented a nomination for recognition of the Paulding House to the California State Historic Resources Commission.   The State Historical Resources Commission (SHRC) is a 9 member state review board, appointed by the Governor, with responsibilities for the identification, registration, and preservation of California's cultural heritage. The SHRC meets at least four times per year to give citizens an opportunity to participate in the public hearings.   Upon acceptance of the nomination, the SHRC set a hearing date of April 16, 2009, in Palm Springs, California.   Appearing on behalf of the Society was Gary Hoving, long time area resident, dedicated historian and past South County Historical Society Director.  The Commission voted to approve the application placing the Paulding History House on the California List of Historic Resources.  Such designation somewhat restricts the uses of the site thereby protecting it for generations to come.  The Commission will now submit the approval to the California Register of Historical Resources who will finalize the process and make the designation official. This marks the second historic resource designation of properties owned by the Historical Society.  The Odd Fellows lodge located on Bridge Street in Arroyo Grande was the first to be honored.

Paulding History

The first resident Medical Doctor in Arroyo Grande was Dr. Edwin Paulding.  He came to Arroyo Grande in 1882, married Clara Edwards and together they bought the house at 551 Crown Hill Road in 1891.  (the house was built in 1889).  A beautiful Oak Tree believed to be 250 years old dominates the front yard.

In 1892 a blessed event occurred in the home.  They gave birth to a daughter, Ruth.   Ruth became a teacher and taught for many years in Arroyo Grande.  She passed away in 1985 at the age of 93 in the same house.

The Paulding Middle School across the street from the house is named for her.  She generously left the house and its contents to the San Luis Obispo Historical Society and in 1998 the property was passed on to the South County Historical Society.

Click here to read story from the Times Press Recorder, May 8th, 2009!