California Genealogy

San Mateo County’s spectacular growth during the last ten years, when it has almost quadrupled in population, has been made possible by steadily improving transportation facilities which now serve every portion of the county. These bring the majority of the desirable locations, homesites and places of interest, within a little over a half hour’s trip from San Francisco; while the further and more inaccessible portions in the county are about an hour’s ride from the business center of the metropolis, thus bringing the advantages, charms and opportunities of this region within easy reach of the business man, homeseeker and farmer. … Read more

San Mateo County is a good place to live. Bay and ocean-girt and mountain-crowned, it is a little wonderland of a thousand unique and distinctive charms. Better than just being a good place to live, it is an easy place to reach from the big city adjacent. A half to a full hour at the most brings the tired business man to his home. It brings him also into Southern California, as far as climate goes. This is pleasant for him -but far more so for his wife and growing children. A flower garden in a flower country is hers … Read more

The San Mateo County News, the only daily newspaper in San Mateo County, is published in the city of San Mateo every afternoon except Sundays and holidays and was founded by A. P. Bellisle and J. D. Bromfield in the year 1914, its first number appearing on the 5th of January. It is the county publication in the sense that its influence and scope of action extend throughout the entire district from South San Francisco and Daly City on the north to Menlo Park and Pescadero on the south, which demonstrates its prestige all over the county. Preeminently, San Mateo … Read more

The last stage in the development of San Mateo County, from the standpoint of the ownership and apportionment of the soil is now at hand, and consists of the division of large portions of the magnificent country estates throughout the county, into generous sized suburban lots and villa tracts. Although this period is the last stage of the subdivision of the land into its smallest segments,-it marks the beginning of an era of the greatest advancement and prosperity that this section of the peninsula has ever experienced. San Mateo County is a “community grown up over night.” Twenty-five years ago … Read more

The rehabilitation was keenly felt throughout the Spanish colonies, particularly in Mexico and the Californias, all of which were ably administered by Jose Galvez, the great agent of the Spanish crown  in America, whose zeal and enthusiasm in carrying out his sovereign’s policy of expansion are matters of historical comment. For a century and a half, Spanish statesmen had been intending to colonize the Californias. Their plans included possession of Monterey Bay, formerly discovered by the Spanish navigator Vizcaino. They considered this harbor the finest on the Pacific Coast, and desired it for the use of their ships engaged in … Read more

The City of South San Francisco had its beginning in the fertile brain of Peter E. Iler of Omaha, Nebraska. In 1889-90 Mr. Iler obtained options on 3,500 acres fronting on the bay of San Francisco, at San Bruno Point. Thereupon the South San Francisco Land and Improvement Company was incorporated, with P. E. Iler as general manager. Among the large holders of stock in the new enterprise were P. E. Iler, of Omaha and M. C. Keith, of North Platte, Nebraska ; Henry Miller, Henry S. Crocker, P. N. Lilienthal, E. R. Lilienthal, and Jesse Lilienthal of San Francisco, … Read more

The school system of San Mateo County embraces the kindergarten, the primary schools, the grammar schools and high schools. From the time children reach school age until ready for the university, they may attend school and remain at their own homes. Throughout all this time they arc pursuing a well laid out and carefully planned course which completely covers, in a minimum time, alll that is required by the laws of the state. Further than this, most of the pupils are not only taught the statutory subjects but are also given instruction in manual and domestic arts as well as … Read more

San Bruno San Bruno outgrew its boundaries, merged with Lomita Park and incorporated a city which has the distinction of being, from the standpoint of area, the largest in the county. Its rapid development has forced San Bruno to contract for sewer, street and bridge work, costing $66,000; to issue bonds for a $20,000 schoolhouse and to call an election to provide for more adequate water service and fire protection. A bank has just been incorporated for San Bruno. Taking these activities into consideration in conjunction with a Street Paving Commission, San Bruno is beginning to utilize its possibilities in … Read more

These pleasant places, some of which were in existence as far back as the early fifties, played their part in the development of the county. It was in their attractive environments that many of the most prominent business and professional men from San Francisco would foregather on Sundays and holidays to enjoy themselves and discuss their favorite political problems. In the early days beds were at a premium, and many travelers carried their own blankets. A bench or even floor space or perhaps a hayrick out of doors was good enough for the hardy travelers who passed that way. The … Read more