SANTA MARIA
December 11, 1928: "Towers are now in course of construction at Santa Maria and two other locations." (Napa Journal)
January 22, 1929: "The Richfield Oil Company is to build a beacon tower service station near Santa Maria as a means of creating an aerial marker for aviators journeying through the sky in that section. The contract for building the station has been awarded to Myers Brothers, general contractors. The investment will reach $7357. The tower will be erected on the east side of the state highway, two miles south of Santa Maria, on the H. Yelkin property, a site having been purchased by the oil company." (Lompoc Review)
April 17, 1929: "Brilliant illumination will mark the opening of Richfield Oil company's beacon No. 12, near Santa Maria, on Thursday evening, April 18, at 8 o'clock. Such was the announcement made today by S. B. Tarbox, of the service station department, who is here to superintend the opening of the new station.
The Richfield beacon is located on the state highway approximately one mile and a half south of this city, where it is of great aid in pointing the way to the Santa Maria airport.
At 7:30 Thursday evening, a switch will be thrown open, and countless beams of light will illuminate the grounds and sky. The Richfield official announces that the public is cordially invited to attend the opening of the 12th beacon station of the company.
V. F. Anderson will have charge of the new station, assisted by J. P. Branch and Jack Ensley." (Santa Maria Times)
April 19, 1929: "Santa Maria forged a strong link between automobile and airplane travel of the future, last night, when the Richfield beacon tower service station on the highway south of the city was formally opened. A switch was thrown at 7:30 o'clock, turning on lights to illuminate the sky and aviation had captured another service station.
The station, garbed in old Spanish architecture, is at the foot of the enormous steel tower, which bears the word 'Richfield' in glowing neon lights. The plans for this new addition to the community, call for the erection of such facilities as a hotel, shops and garage in a semi-circular row. The entire chain of beacons, extending from the Mexican border to Canada, will cost about $10,000,000.
The beacon tower will be illuminated from dusk to dawn, according to V.F. Anderson, in charge of the local station. A wide variety of shrubbery is to be cultivated at the base of the tower and along the sides of the service building. Inside, the fixtures include interesting old-fashioned lamps and everything ornamental is of a Spanish nature." (Santa Maria Times)
June 26, 1930: "Richfield neon and revolving beacon 2 miles SW." (Airway Bulletin, No. 884 (revised))
March 18, 1932: "Construction of a coffee shop costing $15,000 on the Richfield beacon property two miles south of Santa Maria, was announced today, actual work on the project to begin immediately and be completed within 60 days.
For several months the building has been hanging fire, but according to Frank Miratti, Jr. of Santa Barbara, official in the Highway Communities company, the building will be erected at once. It is to be the third built by the organization which now operates one at Barstow and another at Castaic. It will be one of the first units of a proposed chain of similar eating establishments and hotels to be erected along the Pacific Coast.
Lehigh & Anderson, lessors of the Barstow and Castaic coffee shops, will operate the one here also." (Santa Maria Times)
May 18, 1932: "What without doubt is the finest highway eating establishment on the Mission Trails route between San Francisco and Los Angeles will open tonight two miles south of Santa Maria when the Beacon Coffee Shop is presented for public approval by George W, Lehy and A. R. Anderson, president and vice president of the organization which already has erected similar expensive public dining places at Barstow and Castaic.
The coffee shop opening here this evening is located at the Richfield airways beacon, familiar to all local people and motorists on the coast highway.
No other combination cafe and grill on the coast highway can compare with the Beacon Coffee shop here because of its original design, its elaborate furnishings which include even bedrooms for employes, and its unique yet completely equipped horseshoe-shaped service table.
Erected and furnished at a cost of approximately $20,000 in conjunction with the Highway Communities corporation, Ltd., the local coffee shop is the last word in efficient and modern catering.
Charles Stephens will be manager of the shop with Dave Fitzpatrick as chef. Miss Lou Walters is to be head waitress. All of these employes have been with the organization since it opened business and are widely experienced. They will make their homes in rooms especially provided and tastefully furnished at the rear of the building." (Santa Maria Times)
September 7, 1932: "Sales contract: Commercial Fixture company to Beacon Coffee shop, Ltd., No. 3, for certain fixtures to be delivered to Richfield Beacon station two miles south of flagpole." (Santa Maria Times)