Harmony, California is a charming unincorporated community in San Luis Obispo County, with a population of only 18 people.
These days, Harmony is known for hosting an eclectic artisan atmosphere on the Central Coast, but the town’s origins as a prosperous dairy cooperative make for a nice bit of trivia.
Keep reading for the story.
History of Harmony
The Northern Chumash people originally inhabited this part of California for thousands of years, but Swiss immigrants arrived in 1869 and founded Harmony as a dairy settlement.
The town’s early days were marked by chaos and rivalries between the dairy farmers, which resulted in a deadly shooting. According to a historical marker, this violent moment in Harmony’s history led to a truce. Reads the marker,
“All agreed to live henceforth in harmony, and from this the name of the towne was derived.”
In 1907, M.D. Salmina founded the Harmony Valley Cooperative Dairy. The cooperative flourished in the early 20th century and attracted illustrious visitors, including William Randolph Hearst and Hollywood celebrities, who stopped by for butter and cheese en route to Hearst Castle. The community’s population surged to around 300, but eventually dwindled again with the closure of the creamery in 1955.
In the second half of the century, Harmony attracted waves of artists and craftspeople who repurposed the historic buildings as studios and galleries.
Visiting Harmony today
These days, Harmony has gained new life as a charming roadstop wedding venue and micro-community between Cambria and Cayucos on Highway 1.
The single street is lined with restored creamery buildings, glass studios, and artisan shops, and it’s only a few miles away from the scenic Harmony Headlands State Park.
You can connect with Harmony’s arts community by catching a glassblowing demonstration at Harmony Glassworks, picking up some keepsakes from Harmony Pottery Studio & Gallery, or even checking out the hand-carved Harmony Chapel. Don’t miss out on a scoop of ice cream from the Harmony Valley Creamery.
🌐 Learn more: Harmony website