The Town of Templeton began its existence around 1886 and was originally known as Crocker. The town site of Crocker was land owned by the West Coast Land Company. With the southern advance of the railroad to the town of Crocker, the West Coast Land Company offered parcels of land for sale. The original path of the railroad was to turn west from Crocker and continue to Morro Bay over the route that is currently used by State Highway 41. This path would have bypassed San Luis Obispo. Many of the names in Templeton have their origins dating back to the town’s historic beginning. Bethel Lutheran Church, located at 3rd St. and Crocker St., was founded in 1887 by Swedish immigrants. Present-day Bethel Road is located on the west side of town. The Salinas River, which is on the east side of town, was named for the salt marshes, or salinas, found near the river’s mouth.
Templeton is home to businesses that serve local ranching and agriculture, including horse ranches and vineyards. Templeton is emerging as a world class wine producer; many of the wineries with the “Paso Robles” appellation are actually located in the unincorporated Templeton area – including Castoro Cellers, Peachy Canyon, Epoch Wines, and Wild Horse.
Templeton a small, rural town, but it is growing fast. It has added dwelling units faster since 1990 than any other community in the county with developments competing for prime land with vineyards. Templeton High School was selected as a National Blue Ribbon High School in 2006 and was selected as one of 64 schools out of 860 in the state as a California Distinguished School in 1999 and again in 2005. Templeton High School, grades 9th to 12th Templeton Middle School, grades 6th to 8th Vineyard Elementary School, grades 3rd to 5th Templeton Elementary School, preschool to 2nd. The town has grown for over a century. Main Street remains and has slowly changed over the years. Today, Templeton has a population of about 3,000 and it retains its small-town charm. You will find people gathered at the downtown park for farmer’s market on Saturdays or evening concerts in the summer. Templeton continues to offer some of the best primary and secondary education in the county.
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