Carlsbad Farmers' Market & History

Steve's mom lives in Carlsbad and when we see her, we try to explore a bit more of this seaside treasure.

I 💗 Farmers' Markets. They really stimulate all five senses. And the sense of community is heartwarming.

Carlsbad is a beach town (note the figure on the directional sign) yet is has history, which I appreciate. It began as a whistle-stop on the new California Southern Railroad. In the 1880s, a former sailor named John Frazier dug a well in the area. He began offering his water at the train station and soon the stop became known as Frazier’s Station. A test done on a second fresh water well discovered the water to be chemically similar to that found in some of the most renowned spas in the world. Thus, being named after the famed spa in the Bohemian town of Karlsbad.

I learned of O.U. Miracle while looking down in Oceanside. I do enjoy discovering concrete stamps. Orville Ullman Miracle (the greatest name ever when you say just the initials and last name, Oh You Miracle) began a career in the cement business in about 1901. He later established the Miracle Pressed Stone Company, manufacturing and selling “Miracle Concrete Blocks” across the upper Midwest. However, it was his cement business that brought him the most success. He traveled from Iowa to South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and even Montana, pouring cement for roads, sidewalks and curbing for cities and townships. Fun stuff.

I have meandered around the Village a few times and this small one-story building has been missed until now. It was associated with the South Coast Land Company, the firm largely responsible for the early 20th Century growth of Carlsbad. This company was formed in 1914 and the building was likely constructed at about that time. When first built, it was one of just a few miscellaneous buildings scattered along what was then First St. (now State St.). Now dwarfed by total infill, this small and unobtrusive building symbolized the development of Carlsbad.

When not looking down for sidewalk concrete stamps, I look up at the sides of old buildings, hoping to get a glimpse of what once was. I have no idea when this was the Carlsbad Sundry Store, but I would have loved to shop there, perhaps for the advertised Coca-Cola.