Ruth Ann Angus
The Sea Goddess has Crystals and Tools for collectors and mystics. Points, tumbled, clusters, wands, pendants and minerals - all can be seen at Beads By The Bay, 333 Morro Bay Blvd, Morro Bay. Or visit www.theseagoddess.com for custom jewelry and crystals.
100 Year-Old Harmony Farmhouse
Harmony Creamery
Harmony Post Office
Pottery Works Window
Harmony Cellars
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In Tune with Harmony
by Ruth Ann Angus
If you are cruising Highway 1 north of Cayucos, you can't miss the official highway census sign for the town of Harmony, claiming population 18. A visit to this tiny settlement is a step back in time.
The first building on your right as you drive into town is a small red clapboard house. Aarika Wells, who lived there for several years with her cat, serves as historian of Harmony and an afternoon touring with her will give you a wealth of area history. The old outhouse structure behind Aarika's house sets off the flavor of the town and puts you in the mood to go back in time to the 1800s at the birth of the town.
It all began with cows, and not the beef cattle you may now see. Dairy operations began in 1869 with Swiss-Italian immigrants and lasted until 1951. Cheese production took place in earnest by 1871 with the Excelsior Cheese Factory producing 1,100 pounds of it a day from 9,000 pounds of local milk. This building housed the Harmony Valley Creamery Association from 1909 to 1936.
Inside the Creamery building is the now temporarily suspended, smallest post office in the county. This postal station initiated service in 1914 and was open until April of 2008 when it was shut down much to the dismay of local residents due to structural issues with the building. The station looks much as it did in 1914 with the old type postal boxes. Area residents and visitors alike are working hard to have postal services restored. They have formed a group called "Save the Harmony Post Office" and are circulating a petition and forming a letter writing campaign to government officials. You can stop in at Harmony and ask anyone about this cause and sign the petition.
Aarika can tell you about the height of the Creamery's operation when more than 400 people participated in the Creamery Association and the town consisted of many buildings and residences. A typical room of that time is recreated inside the Creamery building with furnishings from the period.
For years there was this one of a kind fountain made up of old water faucets in a tub by the side of the Creamery building. The fountain is gone now and replaced by a gazebo where outdoor events are held.
Water Fountain
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Freddy's Grave
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Searching the ground by the north side of the Creamery building finds a marker indicating Freddy's grave. Freddy was a Maine Coon cat who served as mayor of the town for 22 years. Many repeat visitors to the little town knew Freddy and miss him. No challenger to his lofty position has yet to claim his fame.
Purple and white flowering agapanthus sway in the breeze in the courtyard on the south side of the Creamery building and here history of the town is written on the side of the Creamery wall. There are places to sit and relax and just enjoy the serene peace and quiet of the place.
John Shoenstein's Harmony Pottery Works occupies the building where cheese was once produced. The pottery began operation in 1973 and was the first in a series of shops and restaurants that once made up the town. Pottery is produced daily and there is a wide selection of both utilitarian and art pieces.
Next to the pottery works sits the Harmony Chapel in what looks like an oversize wine barrel. Inside is a cozy space with four rows of seats and stained glass windows. Many couples who want to start their lives together in harmony get married here.
Receptions are held in the Creamery building and can overflow outside to the large gazebo.
The barnlike structure across the street from the Creamery building houses Eric Dandurand's glassblowing studio. Dandurand fashions exquisite glassblown objects here daily. You can try your hand at glassblowing with hour long lessons that assure you will produce either two blown vessels or paperweights.
While the town is somewhat sleepy, up the hill the Harmony Valley Winery is humming with activity. There is a lineup at the tasting bar in the attractive showroom and gift shop. Chuck and Kim Mulligan built the winery in 1993 on property that has been in Kim's family for four generations. Her grandfather, Giacomo Barloggio, once a director of the Creamery, used to make homemade wine in his basement. This hilltop location affords expansive views of the coastal hillsides and picturesque Harmony Valley.
A new and exciting hiking spot is located just down the highway from Harmony. Named Harmony Headlands State Park, it is a 784 acre coastal park. A one and a half mile trail begins at the parking lot and extends over the hills to coastal marine terraced grasslands with views of steep hills and panoramic ocean views. At the beginning of the trail is a small historic ranch house and a portable restroom. Viewing this section of the coast calls for some strenuous hiking, but the scenery is well worth it.
 Headlands Park Poppies
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