San Luis Obispo County CA Archives Photo Place.....Sauer Adobe 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com November 27, 2006, 7:39 pm

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THE SAUER ADOBE 
964 Chorro Street, San Luis Obispo

History and Description:

The oldest available records indicate that the Sauer Adobe was originally built
in 1860, but this date cannot be verified since certain information necessary to
do so is missing.  From the period 1860-1970 the Sauer Adobe has a history which
varies from bootleg activities to boarding Cal Poly students.

One of the earliest known owners was Trinidad Sauer, a Spanish beauty and a
society leader in San Luis Obispo. During her ownership, the adobe was
maintained in perfect condition and was the scene of many gay social functions.
Trinidad Sauer died in the adobe.

In the following years, the adobe led an exciting, if not shady, life.  Owned by
Victoria Duchi during the prohibition era it was a leading source of bootleg
liquor, but as far as it is known it was never raided.  For a while it was the
Swiss American Hotel and even, it is said, was a bordello!  In 1938, it became
"Ben and Pearl's Italian Restaurant" but this lasted only two years.

The Sauer Adobe at this point was in danger of being razed to be replaced by a
modern concrete building. Before this could happen it was purchased by Helen
Adams and her daughter, Genevieve Goff, in April 1940.  For a while they
operated the Olde Mission Tearoom, then a boarding house for Cal Poly students,
one of whom was Francisco Obregon, the son of one of the presidents of Mexico. 
During World War II, the adobe became home to many servicemen and their families.

From the time they purchased the adobe, Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Goff carried on a
program of restoration.  City officials and people in general failed to
appreciate adobes and would be quite content had the building been replaced by a
parking lot.  In 1963 a comprehensive repair job was undertaken, the balcony was
removed and missing parts replaced.  The structure was painted and the people
who had expressed a wish to see it removed were proud of its appearance.  In all
the Sauer adobe still stands in its original condition with no major changes.

The Sauer Adobe is still covered with clapboard siding for preservation purposes
while the small building adjoining it, which was originally the kitchen, has a
plaster facade.  The former kitchen now serves as a gift shop.

Sources:
Mrs. Genevieve Goff, owner


Additional Comments:
Extracted from

Discovering San Luis Obispo County
by
Carleton M. Winslow


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