Building the Causeway...1934--1936

This photograph may represent the earliest blasting of the rock for the Avila breakwater or it may be the start of building the causeway. As is evident today, Morro Rock was the source for both pojects.

From 100 Years Ago Today---1899 Wilmar N. Tognazzini, Compiler

He Gets a Fifty Thousand Dollar Contract That Will Last a Year. MATERIAL WILL BE TAKEN FROM MORRO ROCK. CAYUCOS, June 27. A.A. Polhemus of San Diego was here Monday and received a telegram conveying the information that he was the successful bidder on the Port Harford breakwater contract, the bids on which were opened at Los Angeles at 11 oclock that morning. Mr. Polhemus appeared quite jubilant over his success when seen by your reporter. The stone will be taken from Morro Rock, for which he will receive $1.66 per short ton or $1.86 per long ton, measurement by displacement. (Compilers note: A long ton is considered to be 2,240 pounds avoirdupois. A short ton is commonly estimated at 2,000 pounds.) The contract involves a cash consideration of over $52,000 and will require over 30,000 tons of stone and more than a year of time to fill it. He will work 15 or 20 men on Morro Rock, six or eight on the steamers and lighters, and a dozen at Port Harford, and will begin work as soon as the necessary hands can be secured. Mr. Polhemus worked at Morro Rock on the breakwater contract several years ago and knows all the difficulties attending it, but believes he is more than able to meet them.

the three following photos courtesy of J. Giannini. Bottom photo of Morro Rock courtesy of the Shell Shop

Closing the north entrance was no easy task. Until the pilings were placed the rocks would simply wash away.
Why the natural north entrance was chosen remains a mystery the only explanaton being that closing the south side
would have left the rock inaccessible by land.

note the rail mounted mining cars

These breakwater pictures courtesy of Dr. Jesse Walker. His father worked on this project in 1936.