San Luis Obispo County CA Archives Photo Place.....Cigar Factory Restaurant ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com November 27, 2006, 6:36 pm Source: Unavailable Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanluisobispo/photos/cigarfac108gph.jpg Image file size: 59.3 Kb THE CIGAR FACTORY RESTAURANT 726 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo History and Description: The Cigar Factory, located at 726 Higuera Street, San Luis Obispo, was founded by the Kluver family in 1879. George Kluver actually began the business down the street between Broad and Nipomo Streets, naming it "Kluver and Son, Cigar Factory", In 1889, George Kluver died, and the name became Kluver's Cigar Factory and in 1897 Fred Kluver moved the business into the present location. Fred Kluver lived at the factory with his sister for many years. The factory produced its own registered cigar band, the Pioneer Cigar, and employed 14 persons to make the hand-rolled cigars. During the 1920's, Kluver's Cigar Factory was converted to a tobacco store. It remained such a store until 1964. when Roy Klaucke and his son-in-law. Burt Fugate, purchased the property and building. At this time, John Sues made use of the building and converted it into a very elegant restaurant and bar. It was very appropriately called The Cigar Factory Restaurant. There were luncheons and dinners served upstairs and singers entertaining in the intimate bar below the street level. At this point in its history The Cigar Factory became an exciting cabaret. The restaurant was reminiscent of the early days with historical records and old photographs covering the walls of the richly decorated interior. The Cigar Factory has been bought and recently redecorated by new owners. Kluver's Cigar Factory was built of red brick with some wood trim. The high facade makes the building appear taller than it is. The recent remodeling with the arrival of the restaurant business to The Cigar Factory, the entrance and front windows have been finely detailed just as the interior with plush carpeting and beautiful staircase and chandeliers. The Cigar Factory was built as most western city structures at the turn of the century with the main concern for how the building appeared from the front. On the facade was all the interesting brick work and attempts to give the Victorian impression of detail. The rear and sides of the building were given little attention and remained simple bland walls of brick, yet today they are interesting in their own antiquity. Sources: Louisiana Dart, Curator, San Luis Obispo County Historical Museum Roy Klaucke, an owner of The Cigar Factory Additional Comments: Extracted from Discovering San Luis Obispo County by Carleton M. Winslow File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/sanluisobispo/photos/cigarfac108gph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 3.2 Kb