The Hidden History Project

Humans have lived in Morro Bay for thousands of years. But since the coming of Europeans, it has been developed and re-developed in more rapid waves of change. Often, development remade places to cause their previous uses—and meaning—to disappear. The Project aims to uncover and preserve this hidden history for future residents and visitors, strengthening both community and tourism in the process.

The Morro Bay Hidden History Project is a volunteer effort to research, summarize and display crucial episodes of Morro Bay’s history in public places. It is an educational project intended to help residents and visitors better understand this unique local place.

Hidden History Projects Include:

The Trestle Bridge

A Working Waterfront: The Boatyard

The Machine Shop: Change Along the Bay

Who Owns the Embarcadero?

Deep Dive into Morro Bay's History

The Project will create an open-air museum that links the past to the present visually on high-quality, well-designed interpretive panels (about 2’X 3’), providing an explanation for where we have been and why we are the way we are now.

The Struggle to Build a Harbor

James Maul, A.I.A

The Abalone Capital of the World

USCG in Morro Bay

The Hidden History Project is an on-going effort of the Historical Society of Morro Bay (HSMB). Its purpose is to research people, places and events that help to reveal the history of Morro Bay that has faded from view, and sometimes from memory.