Category Archives: Uncategorized

Loren’s new stable business brought him face-to-face with travelers from all over California. Pescadero pioneer Alexander Moore was a client who, when he visited San Francisco, boarded his horse with Loren Coburn. (It is said that Mr. Moore built the … Continue reading →

Or Is It A Secret Shame? By John Vonderlin Hi June, Tracing a habit, a hobby or obsession back to its roots can often give you insight into the power it wields over you in the present. Since I’ve written … Continue reading →

To read the story click here (Image courtesy John Vonderlin) Email John: [email protected]

Hi June, If I was asked, “What is Pescadero’s greatest claim to fame?,” I believe it would be easy to decide. I think I’ve been building a good case with my photo essays that Invisible Beach, with its odd Neptune’s … Continue reading →

We don’t know where they met but Loren married Mary Antoinette Upton, seven years his senior and a native of North Reading, Mass. Mary’s younger sister, Laura, was married to Obadiah Taylor and the couple lived in San Francisco. The … Continue reading →

Another account says Loren Coburn was born in West Brookfield, Vermont. The 1871 edition of the Vermont Historical Gazetteer proudly stated that West Brookfield had “raised” 21 ministers. Loren’s mom, Clarinda Claflin joined a religious revival in 1816 while still … Continue reading →

Hi June, Being an admirer of people who have odd obsessions with nature and follow that obsession to a level few if any others ever attain, let me relate some of the story of Axel Erlandson, his Circus Trees and … Continue reading →

(More tidbits on Loren Coburn’s personality & background) From a variety of sources, including Loren himself, we can weave together a glimpse of what he was like. He had little education; he didn’t read books and showed no interest in … Continue reading →

Hi June, Stuck! At least it sure seemed like my feet were. Every time I tried to pull one of them out of the sticky, seemingly bottomless mud of the Pescadero Preserve’s mudflats, the other one sank deeper. Fearful thoughts … Continue reading →

“Mr. Coburn reminds me of one of those golden carps that live in Japanese ponds. He lies there with his mouth open and everything that comes to him he greedily absorbs; he gorges and he grows and grows until he … Continue reading →