Saturday, November 1, 2025, 11 to 3 is Founder’s Day at the Templeton Historical Museum Society is a special celebration held to mark the arrival of the first Southern Pacific passenger train to Templeton in 1886.

Since 2006, the museum has commemorated this pivotal moment in local history.  The day’s festivities include engaging short lectures on Templeton’s past, guided tours of the museum’s historic buildings, live demonstrations by a working blacksmith, and, weather permitting, a guided walking tour exploring Templeton’s landmark structures. This event provides an excellent opportunity to dive into the rich heritage of the area and experience history brought to life.

Event runs 11am - 3pm at the Templeton Historical Museum, located at 309 S. Main Street in historic Downtown Templeton!

Come and enjoy:

• The museum, train depot, and blacksmith shop, hands-on “blacksmith” work for visitors and blacksmithing demonstrations, Noon presentation of colors by the Templeton American Legion, wandering Barbershop Quartet Singers (Fair Weather Four), Templeton and Native Salinan history presentations, antique vehicles and tractors, “Hit and Miss” engine demos, cake walks, face painting and games for the young and young at heart, 4-H petting zoo and “cattle roping”, train building for kids, free cake and pie + more!
  

• Templeton Mercantile Cocktail Trailer - Serving Barrelhouse Brewing beer, local wines, specialty cocktails and tri-tip sandwiches. A portion of sales are being donated back to the Templeton Historical Museum, with all tips being donated to Ponderosa, a SLO County nonprofit!

Honor our town’s history and enjoy a day of celebration!