Where Gumbo Was #374
Gumbo was at Seacliff State Beach Visitor’s Center. Congratulations goes to George G for finding him! The Center teaches about the SS Palo Alto (The Cement Ship). You might remember the ship from a previous TravelGumbo blog. The Center also shows the marine life and the environment of the area and what effect storms have had on that environment. It sells souvenirs, toys and books.
The SS Palo Alto still brings tourists to Seacliff beach and is the main focus of the visitor center. The concrete tanker was supposed to be used in WWI but was completed after the war was finished. When it the ship was sold by the US Government, it was brought to Seacliff Beach and intentionally grounded. After a restoration, it was used as an amusement ship. Unfortunately, it only was open two seasons because of the Depression. People fished on it for years after that.
Today it’s too broken apart for the public to fish on it because of numerous storms. Oil from the ship leaked throughout the years causing damage to the beach and animals. The oil was finally cleaned up but storms are still causing more of the ship to break apart and the pier out to it needs repair too.
The State beach itself is wonderful and it’s very popular as a beachfront campground for RV campers.
