If you’re driving by 625 Harbor St. and see scaffolding covering the Morro Bay Library’s iconic mosaic mural, don’t panic. It’s undergoing a must-needed restoration.
“After more than 40 years of wind and rain, the mural is beginning to shed its tiles and needs some serious attention. So for many months, the Morro Bay Friends of the Library has been working to make this restoration effort come together,” the organization announced. “Titled Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, the mural covers the entire west wall of the library across the street from City Hall.”
Designed by local artist Peter Ladochy in 1985, it covers 650 square feet and is made up of 125,000 1-inch glass tiles. A team of more than 100 volunteers guided by Ladochy (who passed away in 2019 at 79 years old) installed the mosaic on what was then a brand-new library.
“It features the area’s Indigenous people, explorer Juan Cabrillo, and some of the region’s early missionaries. It also includes birds and sea otters, fishing boats in the harbor and, of course, Morro Rock,” restorers noted. “Josh LePell of San Luis Marble is leading the work to replace missing tiles and restore the mural to its original condition.”
A commemorative plaque honoring Ladochy and the community’s effort will soon be installed. ∆
This article appears in April 16-23, 2026.