As newlyweds, Jessie Stone and her husband, Thomas Stone, traveled to California by way of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Texas. In California, they first lived in Santa Barbara, and eventually settled in San Luis Obispo County in 1949. The Stones migrated westward in search of similar jobs and dreams as many other Americans. Although their search often proved frustrating, the Stone family thrived, as they were grounded in their strong spiritual beliefs and civic commitment to their community.

“We pulled into San Luis to the first realtor office we could find. I asked for
a list of rentals and the office clerk clammered at me, ‘We have nothing to rent for coloreds.’ After that we looked elsewhere for housing and eventually found a house in South County.” 

– (Jessie Stone) 

The Stones faced similar opposition when they bought their first home in Arroyo Grande. In protest of the discriminatory attitudes of neighbors, they painted their house black.

“We moved from the south and from Texas to escape these attitudes, yet California still had these attitudes. My husband was the anchor for the family. Being a Black man, how many insults can you take in a day? But he was witty, and graceful, and spiritual in his response to the bad behaviors and attitudes towards him.” – (Jessie Stone) 

Thomas E. Stone Family
Archival photograph. Thomas E. Stone Family. Photo from the Henry Stone Family photo album. Courtesy of Jessie Stone. From the Exhibit “Objects of Affection.” Robert E. Kennedy Library, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California.

Additional Sources:
C. Trujillo personal interview with Mrs. Jessie Stone, March 15, 2014.
Stone, Jessie (2014, March 4). “Spiritual Grounding,” Interview by Winter ES 320 students under the direction of Denise Sheridan [Video recording]. The Re/Collecting Project, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. 

Jessie and Thomas Stone were the first African American business owners in the city of Grover Beach. Their son, Malcolm Stone, was the first African American policeman in San Luis Obispo. At the time, the San Luis Obispo chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was fighting for the rights of the region’s African American community, focusing on rights and violations in housing, real estate, and barbershops. The Stones faced discrimination in their first attempt to find housing in San Luis Obispo. 

“We pulled into San Luis to the first realtor office we could find. I asked for
a list of rentals and the office clerk clammered at me, ‘We have nothing to rent for coloreds.’ After that we looked elsewhere for housing and eventually found a house in South County.” 

– (Jessie Stone)

The Stones supported their family of eight children by working many jobs, and eventually opened A-1 Sewing and Vacuum in Grover Beach. 

“At first, we worked whatever job we could find, but I was able to open up a beauty shop in Pismo. The neighboring [white-owned] businesses were opposed to us opening up the shop. They didn’t want me to have a building and created a problem by not allowing me to have parking space on the street. This caused a lot of stress; however, we were determined. We kept that going for about nine years. After that, then my husband opened the sewing and vacuum business. We had the same problem finding a building. It was very uncomfortable, but we succeeded as business people. Some weren’t ready for Blacks to be downtown, I guess. They objected to our being there, but we opened legitimate businesses.” – (Jessie Stone)

Jessie Stone

Archival photograph. Portrait of Jessie Stone. Jessie Stone and her husband Thomas Stone, met in Baton Rouge and enjoyed having their portraits taken in a little camera shop on the street. Jessie Stone treasures these portraits because they were taken before their marriage. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 1945. Courtesy of Jessie Stone. From the Exhibit “Objects of Affection.” Robert E. Kennedy Library, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California.