What is the history of Nipomo, California?
‘s Migrant Mother, depicts destitute pea pickers in California, centering on a mother of seven children, age 32, in Nipomo, California, March 1936. * The original settlers of Nipomo were the Chumash Indians, who have lived in this area for over 9,000 years. * The founder of present day Nipomo, William G. Dana of Boston, was a sea captain. Dana’s travels led him to California where he married Maria Josefa Carrillo of Santa Barbara. * Rancho Nipomo (the Indian word ne-po-mah meant “foot of the hill”) was one of the first and largest of the Mexican land grants in San Luis Obispo County. In 1837, the 38,000-acre Rancho Nipomo was granted to Captain Dana by the Mexican Govenor. * The Dana Adobe, which was started in 1839 by Captain Dana, served as an important stop for travelers on El Camino Real, “The Kings’ Highway,” between missions San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. It was the exchange point for mail going between north and south in the first regular mail route in California, and a stag
