November 18 Ranchos in 1840 Rancho Pismo was deeded. The 8,839-acre Mexican land grant encompassed modern Pismo Beach, Grover Beach, Shell Beach and parts of Arroyo Grande.       Education in 1849 John and Amanda Pelton opened the first free public school in San Francisco. Literature in 1865  Mark Twain’s short story “The Celebrated Jumping […]