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The
very beginning of San Mateo may be traced back to the little wayside
mission or hacienda on the banks of San Mateo Creek. The interest
that still clings to the spot where this little building once stood,
is that it was the first step toward the foundation of the present
city.
As the route between the Mission Dolores and that at
Santa Clara lay through the peninsula which was occupied only by
Indians, many of whom had been brought under the benign influence of
the Franciscan fathers, a small mission or station was established
on the banks of San Mateo Creek on land later owned by W. D. M.
'Howard, to guard in some measure against the possible hostile
attacks of natives.
The hacienda was erected where the Camino Real spanned the
San Mateo Creek. It stood on the north bank of the Creek and on the
west side of the highway. Later a small chapel was erected near the
hacienda where mass was said by the priests on their way between the
missions Santa Clara and San Francisco. An adobe building was
constructed, the substantial walls of which stood until the
earthquake of 1868 when they were wrecked beyond repair. It was
pulled down in 1870. Until that time the walls and the red tiled
roof remained in a fair state of preservation. The tiles,
nevertheless, were preserved and were given as a memorial by Wm. H.
Howard to the town of Burlingame which utilized them in the
construction of an artistic station on the Southern Pacific tracks
where they still serve as a reminder of the early days of the
county. Mr. Geo. H. Howard the architect designed this station.
San Mateo, like other peninsula towns, traces its
origin to small beginnings. The delightful climate land natural
beauties of the place magnified by the graceful sweep of oak-dotted
meadows from the foothills to the bay, exerted a potent charm upon
the wealthy pioneer in search of a country home; as well as on the
penniless and frugal settler wishing to earn a livelihood in the new
community.
The early settlers were typified by such men as John B.
Cooper, the first man to settle on the site of San Mateo, W. D.M.
Howard, who purchased the San Mateo Rancho in 1848, Nicholas
DePeyster, who came in 1850, Dr. Post in 1851, David S. Cook, and
David Haver in 1852. Other early settlers in this town were men like
Henry Husing, the first merchant of the town, who began trade in
1859; followed by the merchant firm of Skidmore and Purcel. In 1861
Charles and William Remington became the first blacksmiths of the
place.
As the lumber business was the first important industry
at Redwood City, so was dairying at San Mateo. Where once grazed the
herds affording the milk supply of the old Palace Hotel of San
Francisco, now stand the cities of San Mateo and Burlingame. The old
dairy house of the Sharon Estate still stands, its rough weatherworn
sides and dilapidated roof forming a marked contrast to the spick
and span residences of these modern cities and the palaces of the
millionaire colony at Hillsborough.
The town grew steadily, and in 1863 a part of it was
platted by Mr. C. B. Polhemus. Following the completion of the San
Francisco and San Jose Railroad, which later became the Southern
Pacific Railroad, San Mateo began to attract the attention of
wealthy men as an ideal for the location of their palatial
residences.
In 1865 Rev. Alfred Lee Brewer founded the Episcopal
Church of Saint Matthew in San Mateo. The beautiful stone church
that met its fate in the great earthquake of 1906, was erected also
in that year. In 1866 Dr. Brewer established St. Matthew's School;
erecting the buildings beside the church. Here the school grew and
prospered, establishing a high reputation throughout the Pacific
Slope. It was not until 1892 that the school was moved to
Hillsborough, where it remained until it was closed in 1915.
Prosperity came to the growing town, not unmixed with a
seasoning of misfortune. On the morning of June 15, 1883 at a few
minutes to nine o'clock, a disastrous fire started, which completely
consumed the Central Block, an entire square opposite the Southern
Pacific Station. Although the Fire Department had just purchased a
new fire engine, and the whole town turned out to fight the flames,
nothing could be done. It was discovered too late that there were
but two hydrants available to tap the _water, of which there was a
copious supply.
In those days the town was the northern terminus of the San
Mateo, Pescadero and Santa Cruz stage line, the proprietors of which
were Taft and Garretson. The Concord coaches of the company plied
daily to Pescadero and Santa Cruz, carrying passengers and the mail.
Today, the routes followed by the modern "jitney," are very similar
to those of the former stage line. The stations of this route were
San Mateo, Crystal Springs, San Felix, Byrne's Store, Eureka
Gardens, Halfmoon Bay or Spanishtown, Purissima, Lobitas, San
Gregorio, Pescadero, Pigeon Point, Seaside, Davenport and Santa
Cruz. The distance was 78 miles.
An historical account of early San Mateo would not be
complete without mention of Laurel Hall, a select seminary for
"young ladies and little girls" opened in May, 1864. This was
situated a mile south of the town on the western side of the county
road, now the State Highway.
Today many matrons living not only in the county, but
scattered throughout the state, have cause to remember with
affection the educational advantages and happy school life of Laurel
Hall.
San Mateo enjoyed a steady growth, and soon became the
recognized purchasing center of the county. The stores of the city
did a thriving business and were forced to remain open late Saturday
nights to accommodate customers coming from the coast side as well
as the surrounding country.
San Mateo was incorporated as a city of the sixth class
on September 4th, 1894. The election called for this purpose was
carried by a vote of 150 for, and 25 against incorporation.
The incorporation was accomplished only after much
opposition by large property owners, who objected to the proposed
boundaries of the new city, all desiring to be left outside of the
proposed incorporate limits.
The first Board of Trustees consisted of A. H. Payson,
Geo. W. Dickie, Chas. Herbst, J. H. Hatch and Robt. Wisnom. R. H.
Jury was the clerk, Wm. F. Herbst treasurer, and Peter Rodgers,
marshal.
The fixing of the boundaries of the proposed city of
San Mateo was the greatest problem which confronted the committee on
incorporation, and many were the wordy battles fought by them before
the Board of Supervisors before this was finally accomplished.
That the city of San Mateo acquired the water front
along the easterly limits of the City of Burlingame, from Peninsula
to Burlingame avenues, was clue to the foresight of the committee,
who entered into a compromise with Wm. H. Howard to include those
portions of the Howard lands, then known as the Polo Field and
Howard Dairy, within the City of Burlingame, in exchange for this
water front. These lands are now bounded by Howard avenue to the
north, "H" Street to the east, Peninsula avenue to the South and
Park Road to the west.
The time is not far distant when the waterfront will be
a valuable asset and mean much to San Mateo.
The account of the early clays of this city would be
incomplete without mention of the growth of the Episcopal Church of
St. Matthew, whose foundation was practically contemporary with that
of the city itself.
When first entering the grounds, one notices the ideal
surroundings of the church which are typically English, and conform
gracefully with the English type of the Church.
In May, 1865 the first church building was erected and
equipped, in San Mateo where the present building now stands. At
that time San Mateo consisted of about twelve scattered homes, while
the business center of the town was on the county road where the
Parrott Place now stands.
Rev. G. A. Easton preached the first sermon in a school
house in this location. The following year the Rev. A. L. Brewer D.
D., from New York succeeded him. Those who have served as rector of
the parish, following Dr. Brewer, are : Rev. W. P. Case, Rev. W. H.
Knowlton, Rev. J. R. de Wolf Cowie, Rev. E. L. Parsons, and Rev. N.
B. W. Galloway. Rev. W. H. Cambridge succeeded to the pastorate in
1911.
In 1906 the church building was destroyed by the
earthquake of April 18, 1906; and it was not until four years later
that the beautiful new structure was completed. During this time
services were conducted in the parish house.
The church building is an adaptation of modern construction to
English Gothic, with steel frame and concrete structure. The windows
are all memorials: the large windows facing east and west were given
by Ogden Mills and Mrs. Whitelaw Reid in memory of their father and
mother.
The other persons commemorated are Rev. N. B. W.
Gallwey and members of the Howard, Grant and Crocker families. The
windows are by Heaton, Butler and Bayne of London, while the organ
which is of exceptionally fine tone, was built by the Hope-Jones
Company.
The parish includes Grace Chapel, Homestead, St.
Paul's, Burlingame and St. Andrews, Lomita Park.
The site of Redwood City is on the Rancho de las Pulgas of the early
Mexican period, and was known as the Embarcadero or shipping point.
Most of the early traffic in lumber to San Francisco
was effected through Redwood Creek, which ran inland from the Bay
about three miles to the center of town where a wharf known as the
Bridge Street Landing was built.
The first American settlement of Redwood City began in
1,1351 with the erection of a small house opposite this landing by
Capt. A. Smith. Mr. G. H. Buruham then started a shipbuilding yard.
and was soon followed by others in this industry, so that in a short
time this community became a recognized boat-building center.
During 1852 several hundred settlers arrived, attracted
by the commercial possibilities of the place as well as the belief
that all this territory which was originally a large Spanish grant,
would be declared government land, and that they could acquire title
by "squatting."
On September of this year a hotel was opened by William
Shaw; and soon after, two other hotels, the Pulgas House and the
American House were opened. A school house built of rough boards was
erected this year.
S. M. Mezes, agent for the Arguellos, owners of the
Pulgas Ranch was the first real estate operator of Redwood City. In
1854 he laid out a town site which he called Mezesville, and for a
long time Redwood City was known by this name.
A short time after San Mateo became a county in 1856, Redwood City
was chosen as county seat, and a ten thousand dollar Court House and
jail were built.
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