Los Alamos sits about 15 miles south of Santa Maria along Highway 101. The town was named for the cottonwoods which line stream banks and was founded in 1876. Each year since 1946 the town has held "Old Days" the fourth weekend in September. The celebration started as a reunion for the founders of the Los Alamos Valley Men's Club. Today its a classic car show, motorcycle show, and peddlers mart and features food, entertainment, a parade, a dinner dance, historic displays, and more.
|
|
Here you see that Old Days consumes the entire main street of
town (Highway 135) for several blocks. In addition to the businesses
in town the sides of the streets are lined with vendors and various
displays add some history.
Among others, motorcyclists join the crowds for a display of their "hogs" and just an old-fashioned good time.
|
The town itself is a montage of history.
|
|
One old landmark is a restored Victorian Mansion from 1864.
The mansion was moved from Nipomo in 1979 and remodeled into theme
rooms. The most famous is the Union Hotel (1880). Here we see
the stairs at the side of the hotel and the hotel front. (The
dining room produces excellent meals.)
|
Even the old Union Hotel limo is on display at the old gas station.
Stop by Los Alamos any time -- but plan for the fourth weekend in September for a special time.
Comments? Please use the contact
page form.
Copyright © 2002
Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved
