Chester Alan Arthur III (“Gavin”) was the grandson of the 21st President of the United States, Chester Alan Arthur. Gavin was also the founder of Moy Mell, a Utopian colony in the sand dunes of Oceano.

New layouts will operate at Model Railroad Days

A replica of the Santa Maria Valley Railroad's original train yard and a high school freshman's detailed modules are among the operating layouts to be displayed during the fifth annual Model Railroad Days at the Oceano Depot.
San Luis Obispo Model Railroad Association and the Oceano Depot Association will co-host the free event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 28 and 29, 2012. more..

Waiting for WWII soldier's return

When George Bernard Murray was deployed overseas during World War II, his family expected the young Oceano man to return home.
More than 65 years later, Murray's family is still waiting for that homecoming. more...

Our thumbs up, thumbs down review on recent events and issues

The Oceano Depot Association has earned a well-deserved thumbs-up this week for not giving up its seven-year quest to save the last remaining Dunite cabin from ruin.
The efforts of association members Linda Austin, Norm Hammond and Mark Weedon to bring the remaining Dunite cabin to the Oceano Depot finally paid off last month when the building was moved to the depot property on Front Street. more...

Book offers Oceano pictorial history

Unless you're a South County old-timer, you might not know that Oceano used to have a Celery Festival. Or that speedboats raced and people water skied on Oceano Lagoon.
Or that as late as 1961, country bands played in the last of the four Pavilions built in the dunes overlooking the beach. more..

Last Dunite cabin moved to Oceano Depot
see photos

Seven years after the last remaining Dunite cabin was donated to the Oceano Depot Association, the dwelling finally has a permanent home.
Last month, the cabin that was built in the early 1930s by Gavin Arthur; the grandson of President Chester Alan Arthur, was moved to the depot property on Front Street. more..

All aboard! Dedication on track for wooden caboose

The doors to a century-old wooden caboose that made its final stop several years ago on the Oceano & Northern Railroad tracks at the Oceano Depot are open again.
On Sunday, the Oceano Depot Association will dedicate the historic caboose to the man who gave the boxcar to the depot in April 2004; the late John Brewster Loomis. The dedication ceremony starts at 11 a.m. at the Oceano Depot, 1650 Front St. more..

Carving out its place in history at Oceano Depot

End of an Era
The Souther Pacific Transportation Co. intends to close its Oceano Depot...

Ocean Depot Preservation Wins support of Civic body
A scheme to acquire and preserve the abandoned Southern Pacific Railroad depot at..

Improvement Association to Acquire Oceano Depot
The old Southern Pacific Railroad depot at Oceano will not be demolished but purchased for $1...

Old Safe Donated For Oceano Depot
An old safe originally built for the Southern Pacific railroad station in Lompoc has been donated..

Oceano Rail Depot Repairs on Track
Plans to relocate and renovate the old Southern Pacific Railroad Depot in Oceano into a community meeting hall, area museum and....

Almost Home
The old Oceano train depot  made it home yesterday to a new location less than a quarter mile north

Train 'sound' almost audible at old depot
Trains rolled into the station here, once upon a time.

Next Stop, Oceano
Oceano's 80-year-old railroad depot is getting a face lift courtesy of the Oceano Improvement Association.

Oceano's depot nears destination for restoration
Harold Guiton said the light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.

Oceano depot is still his playground
Romance of the rails stimulates restoration efforts by Guiton, others

Preservation efforts pay off for Oceano landmark
A building that has been at the center of Oceano...

Depot restoration continues on the fast track

Historic train depot's No.1. fan dies.
He worked tirelessly and painstakingly on..

Depot Flowers
By Norm Hammond

An engine for Harold

Memorial to war dead settle into new home.
Thelma Anderson still remembers the December day..

Photos from another time.

Oceano hopes to solve photos mystery at memorial dedication
When World War II broke out, Oceano was a small town...

Making this Historic Spot Spiffy

A good name for Oceano's depot
It will be dedicated to Harold Guiton

Oceano Depot open house, dedication this week.

Bouquets and brickbats.
Talk about a one-track mind. Harold Guiton gave 30 years of his life -"24/7" as historian Dan Krieger noted...

A new beginning for antique depot
A crowd gathers this weekend at the dedication of the Oceano train depot.

Oceano Depot dedicated to Harold Guiton
Oceano- The Restoration of the Oceano Train Depot can be seen as a lasting tribute to what a small community can do when it stands united for a purpose.

Moving History - John Loomis donates caboose
Century-old caboose relocated to Oceano Depot from Tar Springs

Historical landmark celebrates 100 years of service.
Harold Guiton's longtime love affair with his hometown's train station started...

Next stop: Oceano Depot, once near end of the line, celebrates 100 years this weekend.
Harold Guiton's longtime love affair with his hometown's train station started...

A look into Oceano's history
Oceano's Railroad Depot, a once popular train stop that's matured into a clearinghouse of times past...

Local writer prepares detailed history of community

Fulfilling a dream
Book envision by historian published by friend

See more about the book

History Lives
Oceano's Premier Historian

Memorial garden will honor Oceano's favorite physician.
When Linda Austin found a letter penned by her late father, Harold Guiton, about plans for a memorial garden...

Honoring the Doctor
The Oceano Depot Association held a dedication ceremony Sunday for the newly planted rose-filled Dr. Rudolf W. Gerber Memorial Park.

Oceano School Reunion planned

First reunion planned for Oceano Grammar School
Students from all classes invited to attend.

Oceano School Reunion - more than 275 former students and their family gathered for an Oceano Elementary School Reunion

see Photos from that Day