In the life of Harriman, the master mind of the world of transportation, there was evolved a plan to make San Francisco the western terminal of all rail lines, and out of this plan came the great Dumbarton bridge, built across the lower arm of San Francisco Bay at a point two miles east of Redwood City.
This bridge, a mammoth steel affair, is the link, from the rail road standpoint, needed to connect San Francisco with the mainland. It is open to all lines. Consummation of the Harriman plan means that Redwood City will become the southern portal of San Francisco. Its accessibility to San Francisco has made Redwood City an ideal home center and attractive to San Franciscans seeking suburban life. West of the highway are scores of bungalows of typical California construction.
In addition to the school buildings, Redwood City has many handsome public buildings. As the county seat of San Mateo County it is the site of a $250,000 courthouse of imposing dimensions and ornate construction. A Carnegie library building, up-to-date three-story brick hotel building, two lodge buildings, a theater, two stone bank buildings, a city hall and several store blocks give the town a fine appearance.
Redwood City is paved from end to end, its main thoroughfares being bitumenized and side streets macadamized. It is well lighted in every section. The city owns its own water distributing plant, the supply coming from artesian wells.
Catholic, Baptist, Methodist Episcopal and Congregational places of worship, with two Christian Science reading rooms, afford the churchgoers of Redwood City ample opportunity to attend divine worship.
Nearly every branch of fraternal life is represented in Redwood City, the Foresters and Odd Fellows owning their own halls. The Masonic order recently purchased a site on Main street upon which it is proposed to erect a handsome temple.
Redwood City has already developed five miles of its water frontage where there can and will be located factories to supply many of the needs of the world: Redwood City has broad acres back of the water front where several other factories are located.
At present two tanneries, three large lumber yards, a leather finishing plant, two large salt works, a codfish packing plant, planing mill, chemical works, two yards for the manufacture of street and road paving materials, an asbestos plant, a cigar factory, and an electric light station and gas-making plant employ hundreds of Redwood City’s citizens. There are several large garages, each employing a number of men. Nearly a quarter of a million dollars has been spent in reclaiming land for industrial sites on the water front. A spur track has been built from the main line of the Southern Pacific to this industrial area, as well as a wagon and auto road. Six sites have already been sold to growing concerns.
Redwood City has an active Chamber of Commerce founded during the latter part of 1915. This body, under the able direction of Mr. Ed McGettigan, its manager, is doing much for this section of the peninsula.
Redwood City is served by the Southern Pacific Railroad, the Peninsula Rapid Transit Company, and a line of bay freighters, making regular daily trips to San Francisco. It is located 25 miles from the Southern Pacific’s Third and Townsend Street Depot, San Francisco; and 27.6 miles along the State Highway from Fifth and Market Streets, San Francisco. Redwood City is the half-way point between San Francisco and San Jose.
The estimated population is 3,700.
Atherton
Atherton, one of the most attractive communities in the county, is located south of Redwood City. Here are found some of the handsomest residences in the state.
Atherton is served by the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Peninsula Rapid Transit Company. It is located 28 miles from the Southern Pacific’s Third and Townsend Street Depot, San Francisco; and 30.7 miles along the State Highway from Fifth and Market Streets, San Francisco.
The estimated population is 1,000.
Menlo Park
Menlo Park is the last southerly town of the county after Atherton. Its beauty was fully recognized by the millionaires of the old Comstock clays, who built for themselves magnificent country homes which arc still standing among the enticing oak groves.
Menlo Park has three famous schools-St. Patrick’s Seminary, St. Joseph’s and Sacred Heart Academics.
Menlo Park is served by the Southern Pacific Railroad and the Peninsula Rapid Transit Company. It is located 29 miles from the Southern Pacific’s Third and Townsend Street Depot, San Francisco; and 31.9 miles along the State Highway from Fifth and Market Streets, San Francisco.
The estimated population is 1,866.
Ravenswood
Commercially, there is much promise in the development of a large manufacturing district which has already commenced at Ravenswood, a mile to the east of Menlo Park on the shores of the bay. A large zinc plant has been erected here, which is connected with the Southern Pacific by spur tracks.
Woodside and Portola
Woodside and Portola among the hills, still retain much of that pioneer attractiveness which was theirs in the early days when this district was one of the first to be settled in the county. Its importance at that time was clue to the surrounding magnificent growth of redwood timber which found its market over the waterways a few miles away at Redwood City. Many magnificent specimens of these monarchs of the forest still enhance the beauty of the surrounding hillsides.
Woodside and Portola have now entered on a new era of prosperity as a desirable region for homes and farms. The soil and-climate are particularly adapted to diversified farming. Poultry raising is a growing industry here. The famous vineyards of the county are located in this section, and are recognized as producing the best wine in the state.
This locality, including La Honda, a beautiful mountain retreat, promises to become a second Hillsborough.
Woodside and Portola are reached from Redwood City over the Coastal Road to La Honda, Halfmoon Bay and Santa Cruz. Woodside and Portola are located bout 7 miles from Redwood City.
The estimated population of Woodside is 555; Portola 225; La Honda 192, which increases greatly during the summer months.