See Canyon facts for kids

See Canyon is a beautiful valley located in San Luis Obispo County, California. It begins high up in the Irish Hills, about 960 feet (291 meters) above sea level. The canyon then flows down and ends at San Luis Obispo Creek, about 33 feet (10 meters) above sea level.

History of See Canyon

See Canyon was originally known by an old Spanish name, San Miguelito Canyon. This name came from a large land grant called Rancho San Miguelito, which was given to Don Miguel Avila.

Later, the canyon was renamed after a pioneer family, the Sees. Joseph See was an important person who helped settle the area. He was born in Kentucky and traveled a long way with his family, using ox teams, across the southern part of the United States.

In 1860, Joseph See and his family moved to San Luis Obispo County. They bought land in the area, and that's how the canyon got its new name, See Canyon. Joseph See farmed there for many years. He lived to be 88 years old and was known as a very influential and public-spirited man in the community.

According to the 1860 Census for San Luis Obispo, Joseph See worked as a teamster, meaning he drove teams of animals like oxen. He owned about $600 worth of personal items but did not own land at that time.

Early records show that See Canyon was one of the few areas not covered by old Spanish land grants. This means it might have been public land. Joseph See, as a newcomer, may have settled on this land because other land was not available. Joseph's daughter, Rachel, and her husband, William Calloway, lived in the canyon for a long time and owned 160 acres there.