Baywood-Los Osos, California
Encyclopedia
Baywood-Los Osos is an unincorporated area
located in western San Luis Obispo County, California
, U.S.
, near the city of San Luis Obispo
. The population was 14,351 at the 2000 census. It includes separate unincorporated
communities of Los Osos
, which is located near Morro Bay
, Baywood Park, and the original community of Cuesta-by-the-Sea.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the CDP had a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²), of which, 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²) of it was land and 0.13% was water.
This locale was settled originally by Chumash peoples who developed habitation sites and exploited marine resources for food.
Founder, Richard S. Otto, who named and developed Baywood Park was for years its most colorful and controversial resident. A widely-known engineer, he ran unsuccessfully for U. S. Senator from California in a 1940 primary against the late Sen. Hiram Johnson. Six years earlier, he managed Upton Sinclair's famous but un successful End Poverty in California campaign for governor.
Mr. Otto moved to Montecito in 1964 after residing permanently in Baywood Park for 15 years. But he had developed the community many years before, and had grown many of its Monterey Pines from seed in a Los Angeles apartment box-window.
Son of a wealthy Eastern family, Mr. Otto was born 24 March 1897 in East Orange, N. J. He was educated in private schools in this country and in France, Germany and Switzerland.
During World War I, he worked with noted military inventor Carl Norden and later helped engineer the Norden Bombsight. It was considered one of the most significant Allied secrets and technical masterpieces of World War II.
About 1920, Otto was sent by his father, a New York banker, on a month-long mission to the court of Chinese warlord Wu Pei Fu, to discus a huge loan. He decided against granting it.
In 1921, realtor-historian Walter Redfield, long of Baywood Park, sold Otto his first Baywood Park lot for $165. Otto became interested in the San Luis Obispo County and became sales manager of Redfield's Los Angeles office. Then Otto, with financial backing from his father, purchased all the remaining lots in the townsite. Because of a conflict in the names El Moro and Morro Bay, Otto changed the name to Baywood Park and began development in 1924. At one time, he owned about 1000 acres (4 km²) in the community, but over the years had sold most of them. He still owned the Baywood Lodge and Restaurant, and the Cambria Quicksilver Mine.
In the early 1930s, Otto met Socialist Upton Sinclair—noted muckraking novelist and author—at a meeting of the Bellamy Society. He, Sinclair and others conceived the idea of the EPIC campaign, and all registered as Democrats.
Sinclair was defeated in 1934 by Frank Merriam in one of the most famous gubernatorial campaigns in California history.
When it was over, Otto bought an 85 feet (25.9 m) yacht, the Coquet, and lived on it four years, making several trips to the South Seas.
As a Democrat, he was one of several unsuccessful candidates for U. S. Senator against Sen. Hiram Johnson in 1940.
Over the years, Otto published a newspaper ("spasmodically", in his words), the Baywood Observer.
He died in Santa Barbara in 1966 at the age of 68.
(CDP) through the 2000 census, but the CDP was abolished before the 2010 census. As of the census
of 2000, there were 14,351 persons, 5,892 households, and 3,876 families residing in the CDP. The population density
was 1,883.5 people per square mile (727.2/km²). There were 6,214 housing units at an average density of 815.6 per square mile (314.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.27% White, 0.64% African American, 0.69% Native American, 4.56% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.49% from other races
, and 3.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.00% of the population.
There were 5,892 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples
living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,558, and the median income for a family was $55,838. Males had a median income of $39,311 versus $31,450 for females. The per capita income
for the CDP was $24,838. About 5.0% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Baywood-Los Osos is located in the 15th Senate
District, represented by Republican
Abel Maldonado
, and in the 33rd Assembly
District, represented by Republican Sam Blakeslee
. Federally, Baywood-Los Osos is located in California's 23rd congressional district
, which has a Cook PVI
of D +9 and is represented by Democrat
Lois Capps.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
located in western San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County, California
San Luis Obispo County is a county located along the Pacific Ocean in the Central Coast of the U.S. state of California, between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 census its population was 269,637, up from 246,681 at the 2000 census...
, U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, near the city of San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo is a city in California, located roughly midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Central Coast. Founded in 1772 by Spanish Fr. Junipero Serra, San Luis Obispo is one of California’s oldest communities...
. The population was 14,351 at the 2000 census. It includes separate unincorporated
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
communities of Los Osos
Los Osos, California
Los Osos is an unincorporated area and a census-designated place located along the Pacific coast of San Luis Obispo County, California. The community is part of the 93402 and 93412 ZIP Codes and area code 805. The population was 14,276 at the 2010 census....
, which is located near Morro Bay
Morro Bay, California
Morro Bay is a waterfront city in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 10,234, down from 10,350 at the 2000 census.- History :...
, Baywood Park, and the original community of Cuesta-by-the-Sea.
Geography and natural history
Baywood-Los Osos is located at 35°19′0"N 120°50′8"W (35.316795, -120.835605).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the CDP had a total area of 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²), of which, 7.6 square miles (19.7 km²) of it was land and 0.13% was water.
This locale was settled originally by Chumash peoples who developed habitation sites and exploited marine resources for food.
Founder, Richard S. Otto, who named and developed Baywood Park was for years its most colorful and controversial resident. A widely-known engineer, he ran unsuccessfully for U. S. Senator from California in a 1940 primary against the late Sen. Hiram Johnson. Six years earlier, he managed Upton Sinclair's famous but un successful End Poverty in California campaign for governor.
Mr. Otto moved to Montecito in 1964 after residing permanently in Baywood Park for 15 years. But he had developed the community many years before, and had grown many of its Monterey Pines from seed in a Los Angeles apartment box-window.
Son of a wealthy Eastern family, Mr. Otto was born 24 March 1897 in East Orange, N. J. He was educated in private schools in this country and in France, Germany and Switzerland.
During World War I, he worked with noted military inventor Carl Norden and later helped engineer the Norden Bombsight. It was considered one of the most significant Allied secrets and technical masterpieces of World War II.
About 1920, Otto was sent by his father, a New York banker, on a month-long mission to the court of Chinese warlord Wu Pei Fu, to discus a huge loan. He decided against granting it.
In 1921, realtor-historian Walter Redfield, long of Baywood Park, sold Otto his first Baywood Park lot for $165. Otto became interested in the San Luis Obispo County and became sales manager of Redfield's Los Angeles office. Then Otto, with financial backing from his father, purchased all the remaining lots in the townsite. Because of a conflict in the names El Moro and Morro Bay, Otto changed the name to Baywood Park and began development in 1924. At one time, he owned about 1000 acres (4 km²) in the community, but over the years had sold most of them. He still owned the Baywood Lodge and Restaurant, and the Cambria Quicksilver Mine.
In the early 1930s, Otto met Socialist Upton Sinclair—noted muckraking novelist and author—at a meeting of the Bellamy Society. He, Sinclair and others conceived the idea of the EPIC campaign, and all registered as Democrats.
Sinclair was defeated in 1934 by Frank Merriam in one of the most famous gubernatorial campaigns in California history.
When it was over, Otto bought an 85 feet (25.9 m) yacht, the Coquet, and lived on it four years, making several trips to the South Seas.
As a Democrat, he was one of several unsuccessful candidates for U. S. Senator against Sen. Hiram Johnson in 1940.
Over the years, Otto published a newspaper ("spasmodically", in his words), the Baywood Observer.
He died in Santa Barbara in 1966 at the age of 68.
Demographics
Baywood-Los Osos was a census-designated placeCensus-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
(CDP) through the 2000 census, but the CDP was abolished before the 2010 census. As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 14,351 persons, 5,892 households, and 3,876 families residing in the CDP. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,883.5 people per square mile (727.2/km²). There were 6,214 housing units at an average density of 815.6 per square mile (314.9/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 88.27% White, 0.64% African American, 0.69% Native American, 4.56% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 2.49% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 3.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.00% of the population.
There were 5,892 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the CDP the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 24.7% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,558, and the median income for a family was $55,838. Males had a median income of $39,311 versus $31,450 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the CDP was $24,838. About 5.0% of families and 8.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.4% of those under age 18 and 5.1% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
In the state legislatureCalifornia State Legislature
The California State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of California. It is a bicameral body consisting of the lower house, the California State Assembly, with 80 members, and the upper house, the California State Senate, with 40 members...
Baywood-Los Osos is located in the 15th Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
District, represented by Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Abel Maldonado
Abel Maldonado
Abel Maldonado is an American politician who was the 48th Lieutenant Governor of California. On November 23, 2009, then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced Maldonado as his nominee for Lieutenant Governor to fill the vacancy created by John Garamendi's election to the United States House of...
, and in the 33rd Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
District, represented by Republican Sam Blakeslee
Sam Blakeslee
Samuel Norman Blakeslee is a Republican California State Senator representing California's 15th State Senate district, a former California State Assemblyman from California's 33rd State Assembly district, and a former State Assembly Republican Leader...
. Federally, Baywood-Los Osos is located in California's 23rd congressional district
California's 23rd congressional district
California's 23rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of California that runs along the Pacific coasts of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties...
, which has a Cook PVI
Cook Partisan Voting Index
The Cook Partisan Voting Index , sometimes referred to as simply the Partisan Voting Index , is a measurement of how strongly an American congressional district or state leans toward one political party compared to the nation as a whole...
of D +9 and is represented by Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Lois Capps.