San Mateo County

The following is a true account of the struggle of the Colma pioneers for the possession of the land they occupied and to which they had rightful title. The legal battle, which finally left them in undisputed title to their soil, was important, not only to them but to a large proportion of the land holders in the county. This narrative is based upon a short historical account of Colma and the Colma Valley from the pen of Mr. Robert Sheldon Thornton, still residing at Colma, and fast verging upon his ninety-seventh year. Mr. Thornton mentions the names of the … Read more

140 Biographies of leading men from San Mateo County California in 1916. Extracted from History of San Mateo County, from the earliest times with a description of its resources and advantages: and the biographies of its representative men. Compiled and written by Philip W. Alexander and Charles Hamm, 1916.

San Mateo County is typical of California at its best. The days in summer are delightfully warm and balmy, being enhanced by clear skies, brilliant sunshine and clean, sweet air laden with the fragrance of blossom and cedar. The perfect ripening of fruit and the perennial bloom of flowers is convincing proof of this. Those who first enter the county from the San Francisco boundary are impressed by the immediate change from the harsh weather of that place, with its high winds and fog banks, more or less prevalent throughout the entire year, to the agreeable warmth and brilliant sunshine … Read more

The story of the Catholic Church in San Mateo County begins with the landing of Don Gaspar de Portola. He was accompanied by the Franciscans, who under Junipero Serra immediately set to work to establish missions. Two were founded in the region of the Great Bay; Mission Dolores in 1776 and Mission Santa Clara in 1777, A settlement at San Mateo followed as a matter of course; and so the first beginning of this city was a hacienda or inn where travelers could stay over night and stable their horses. The hacienda stood where the Camino Real spanned the Creek. … Read more

The descriptions of the various bayside cities of the county follow in the order of their distance from San Francisco, Daly City, Colma, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Lomita Park, Millbrae, Easton, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos Park, Redwood City, Atherton, Menlo Park and Ravenswood. There are seven incorporated municipalities in San Mateo County, all of which are located on the bayside. Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo and Redwood City the county seat. The rapid growth of San Mateo County has been centered mainly in her cities. San Mateo and Redwood City … Read more