The Clark Building
Nestled between Hotel Cheval and its popular coffee shop on Pine Street, the Clark Company building is more than just charming—it's a piece of Paso Robles history. This two-story brick American farmhouse was originally built by Dr. H. H. Soest, a chemist drawn to the area's hot sulfur springs. Using water from a spring on the property, Dr. Soest extracted and bottled minerals for medicinal use. In 1958, the home was transformed into a physical therapy clinic by Mr. & Mrs. Alley, with Belle Alley gaining local fame as a legendary masseuse. The Clark family purchased the building in 1978, remodeling it with distinctive columns and a widow’s walk balcony. Reinforced with steel rods, it’s considered one of the more earthquake-resistant buildings in town. Today, it serves as the headquarters for Clark Company’s ranch and real estate operations—and now, the office of Paul Clark, Executive Director of the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau.
Paul’s roots in agriculture and SLO County run deep.
After his family relocated to a ranch north of Shandon
in 1969, Paul and his siblings fully embraced the ranching
lifestyle—raising cattle, participating in 4-H and FFA,
and attending Shandon High School. Despite his father,
William "Bill" Clark, rising to national prominence under
President Ronald Reagan as National Security Advisor
and Secretary of the Interior, Paul remained grounded
by the tight-knit Shandon community. He recalls county fairs as some of his fondest memories, and speaks warmly
of learning life skills through both school and ranch work. His upbringing offered a unique lens into both the rural lifestyle and the human side of politics, as seen through his father's influential career.
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and earning degrees from Cal Poly and McGeorge School of Law, Paul returned to SLO County to build his legal career while maintaining his deep ties to agriculture. Over the years, he’s served on numerous boards, including 27 years with the San Luis Obispo County Farm Bureau. In April, he stepped into the role of Executive Director, aiming to bridge the gap between agriculture and the broader public. With a lifelong commitment to farming and ranching, Paul is eager to champion California’s agricultural community and continue the legacy his family helped shape—both on the land and in the historic building that now serves as his office.
