USA > California > San Mateo County > History of San Mateo County, California, including its geography, topography, geology, climatography, and description, together with an historical sketch of California; a record of the Mexican grants; the early history and settlement, compiled from the most authentic sources; some of the names of Spanish and American pioneers; legislative history; a record of its cities and towns; biographical sketches of representative men; etc., etc > Part 27
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On July 6th, 1874, an election was held for the purpose of choosing a new board, which resulted in returning L. P. Cooley, Charles N. Felton, W. J. Adams, D. Kuck and R. G. Sneath. Of this second and last board, L. P. Cooley was chosen president, and D. Kuck, clerk. As above stated, about the only action taken by the town council was in fixing the town limits, and in improving the streets.
SAN MATEO .- The growth of the town of San Mateo has been very similar to that of other places in California, outside of the mining regions. It did not spring up in a night at the rubbing of some Aladdin's lamp. It is a sort of spontaneous growth of a rich agricultural and pasturing district, in contiguity with the great mart of the coast. The same charms and advantages that attracted the first settlers there, have drawn each succeeding one, until now we see a beautiful flourishing town, claiming no small degree of importance as a tributary to the San Francisco market, and as an appurtenant to the great messuage (so to speak) of the city.
The first to make a lodgment upon the site of the town was John B. Cooper, who had been previously living at and around the old Mission. In 1851, he came to the site of the present village, and made a bruslı booth around a large oak tree, which served him for a habitation while he was erecting a more sub- stantial dwelling on the bank of the creek, where the residence of Mr. Rice now stands.
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In 1850, Nicholas Dupoister put up a frame building a little west of the village, on the property now owned by Captain Taylor.
In 1851, Dr. Post came and erected a domicile where William H. Howard at present lives.
In 1852, David S. Cook arrived and formed a business connection with Du- poister, in the hotel business at the Taylor place, above referred to. In 1853, they enlarged their hostelry by the addition of a large frame building, which was brought from the east in nine different vessels, framed and ready to be put together. They purchased it of Captain Shaw, and attached it to the original hotel structure, and with these enlarged accommodations, continued the busi- ness together until 1856, when Mr. Cook bought out his partner's interest, and became the sole proprietor; he eventually sold out to Stockton & Shafter, who in turn sold to " Tony " Oakes. Captain Edward Taylor subsequently purchased the property of Oakes, and a portion of the old hotel that in early days sheltered so many weary travelers under its hospitable roof, and spread before them its generous reflection, now forms a part of his residence.
In 1852, David Haver, the pioneer carpenter, put up a barn for Mr. Cook. Haver is still alive and a resident of San Mateo.
C. B. Polhemus, in September, 1863, laid out and platted the town of San Mateo. Here it may be mentioned that the name of this town, the county and the creek, is the Spanish for Saint Matthew, the name being given the creek by the Mission fathers.
Prior to the passage of the railroad and the platting of the town, what business there was here was carried on near the county road. There Henry Husing began trade in 1859, and after him came Skidmore & Purcell. In 1861, Charles and William Remington became the first blacksmiths of the place, with the exception of an old Indian on the hills near by, who was ac- customed to make spurs and bridle bits for the Mexicans.
Following the completion of the Southern Pacific railroad, the town, owing to its magnificent site among the native oaks, and to its unequaled soil and climate for healthful residences, began to attract the attention of men of fortune, who have made here their princely homes, and added to the charms nature has so lavishly bestowed, all that wealth and refined taste could suggest.
Though the business of the place is by no means unimportant, its distin- guishing characteristic is that of a delightful place of residence.
By referring to the article on " county seat contests," it will be seen that the people of the county, at an election once held for the purpose of locating the county seat, by a large majority declared in favor of San Mateo, but owing to some legal technicalities, were deprived of the fruits of their victory. In any event San Mateo is destined to continued growth and prosperity.
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A DISASTROUS FIRE .- At a few minutes to nine o'clock, on June 15th, 1883, a fire was discovered in a shed in the rear of Hugh McKernan's saloon, in Central block, just across the street from the railroad depot. The fire rapidly spread until eleven o'clock, when the entire block was in flames.
The town has splendid water works, and pipes are laid everywhere, and the supply of water would have been amply sufficient to extinguish the blaze, had there been sufficient hydrants. Some months ago the town was presented with a steam fire engine by capitalists who reside within its limits, but the trustees neglected to increase the number of hydrants, of which there were but two. The citizens also failed to organize an engine company, and hence there was the greatest confusion when the blaze was discovered. Before the engine could be brought into use the fire had gained such a headway that it could not be checked. An effort was made to save Dr. Goodspeed's brick store by moving out a butcher shop adjoining. The citizens succeeded in rolling the shop out on the street, but not in time to prevent its destruction. The entire town turned out to fight the flames, and several bucket brigades worked with a will, but without effect. Every team in town was called into requisition to save goods, which were carried across the track to a place of safety.
The places burned out are the post office and vacant building adjoining, and Winter's paint shop, owned by I. R. Goodspeed; loss, $2,000. Wisnom Hall, Plouff's saloon, and a building occupied by Flynn, the plumber, and all owned by A. Borel; loss, $5,000. Saloon owned by Casey & McKernan; loss, $2,000. San Mateo Hotel, stable, and Whitehead's saloon, all owned by E. Walker; loss, $8,000. Nearly all the movable articles were saved from the post office, Plouff's and McKernan's, Flynn's and Winter's. The hotel lost all but a piano. The block was swept clean by the flames.
The only hotel in the place is the Union House, a large brick building, owned and controlled by the Hon. James Byrnes. The general merchandise business is represented by two concerns, E. A. Husing and James Bickford. There are two drug stores, the respective proprietors of which are Dr. I. R Goodspeed and Dr. Morse. The harness shop of A. T. Bartlett, meat market of Price & Jennings; one livery stable, by James Byrnes; a lumber yard, by Wisnom & Doyle; two blacksmiths, Thomas Coleman and Michael Brown; two shoemakers, William C. Alt and Thomas H. Perry; one painter and upholsterer, George Winter; one carpenter and upholsterers' shop, by Daniel Haver; one barber shop, by John Vallado; and one real estate office, by Hugh McDermott.
This town is the northern terminus of the San Mateo, Pescadero and Santa Cruz stage company, the proprietors of which are Taft & Garretson. The line runs its Concord coaches daily to Pescadero and Santa Cruz, carrying the mails. The stations of this route are San Mateo, Crystal Springs, San Felix, Byrnes' Store, Eureka Gardens, Half Moon Bay or Spanishtown, Purissima,
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Lobitas, San Gregorio, Pescadero, Pigeon Point, Seaside, Davenport and Santa Cruz. Distance 78 miles.
One of the natural attractions of San Mateo is a piece of picturesque and romantic scenery, seldom excelled anywhere-the valley of the San Mateo (through which the road to Spanishtown leads, ) and the San Andreas valley. Owing to the beautiful scenery that characterizes this place, at an early day a public house was erected at a place called Crystal Springs, where thousands resorted for pleasure, and around which a little settlement grew up.
In this part of the valley, Domingo Felix, the original proprietor of the rancho San Felix, lived, and among the earlier foreign settlers were Maynard, Bollinger, Condon and M. Wolf. Mr. M. C. Casey located on the ranch where he now lives about 1857, and about that time James Byrnes began trade at the place then and since known as Byrnes' Store, where formerly consider- able business was done.
EVERGREEN CEMETERY .- Until recently the town was unprovided with suitable accommodations for the burial of the dead. That it now has a field that will soon be made one of the most fit and becoming for that purpose, is due to the enterprise of Mrs. Agnes Tilton, who has, at great expense, caused some twenty acres on the northern bank of the creek to be surveyed into lots taste- fully improved. Every sanitary requisite of a suitable burying place is here to be found, and Evergreen Cemetery will yet become populous with those who will join " that innumerable caravan that moves to the pale realms of shade, where each must take his silent chamber in the halls of death."
ST. MATTHEW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SAN MATEO .- The services of the Episcopal Church were first held in this town by Rev. G. A. Easton, from San Francisco, while temporarily residing here in the spring and summer of 1864. They were held in the reception room of San Mateo Young Ladies' Institute, Miss Buck- master, principal, now known as Laurel Hall, which was built that year. Mr. Easton left that fall, and was succeeded by Rev. A. L. Brewer, from Detroit, Michigan, who came out under the auspices of the Episcopal Board of Domestic Missions. He began with the mission stations of this place and Redwood combined, in February, 1865. Services were held in the public school house, where both Congregational and Methodist services were also held, each Sunday, there being no protestant house of worship in the town.
In July of that year, Mr. George H. Howard's family donated from their rancho a lot of two acres for a church, on the north side of San Mateo creek and east of the county road, at the same time opening a subscription for the church building with a liberal donation. In October, a church organiza- tion was effected, Messrs. George H. Howard and Edward Taylor being chosen wardens, and Mr. A. H. Jordan, clerk and treasurer. The corner stone of
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the church was laid October 12th, by Rev. C. B. Wyatt, of Trinity Church, San Francisco, in the absence of Bishop Kip, who was then in Europe. The stone for the building was taken from a quarry on the Crystal Spring road, on the Howard estate. It was the first American stone church in the State, and still, after a lapse of thirteen years, remains, I believe, the only one. But one other that I am aware of was built previously, and that, the Franciscan Mission Church at Carmel valley, west of Monterey, which is now a ruin.
The church was finished and consecrated on May 23d, 1866, the Rt. Rev. W. I. Kip, D. D., officiating and preaching, being aided by the Rt. Rev. T. F. Scott, D. D., of Oregon. Many clergymen of this State, and some of Oregon, were also present.
The rector of the church had begun a parish school, which is now known as St. Matthew's Hall; and in August, a clergyman and his wife having been called from the east to assist him in the care of this school, and in his mission work (as the beginning of a proposed associate mission, ) services were sus- tained by them conjointly at Belmont, Redwood and Mayfield, as well as at San Mateo. In October, a school building was donated by Horace Hawes, for a boarding and day school at Redwood, in consequence of which this clergyman removed there and took charge of that school, of the church there, and of the mission at Mayfield; Belmont mission remaining connected with the church at San Mateo, in charge of Mr. Brewer. It has continued thus ever since, being ministered to successively by clergymen or lay readers teaching at St. Matthew's Hall. In the spring of 1876, the mission was regularly organ- ized under the canons of the Episcopal church, as the " Mission of the Good Shepherd," and a church building was erected through the earnest labors and zeal of Rev. E. C. Cowan, who officiated there for a year while teaching at St. Matthew's Hall.
In the summer of 1867, the rectory of the church of 'San Mateo was built, mainly through the generous interest of William F. Babcock, then residing here, furthered by. A. H. Jordan, to whom very much was due in building both church and rectory, for plans and superintendence as architect, and for general interest and aid. Part of this rectory was used for school purposes for several years, as well as for the rector's home, and in 1868, an additional school building was erected in the rear of the rectory, for the exclusive use of the school, by the private contributions of its friends and patrons, and members of the vestry.
Its acknowledged beginning and earnest growth dates from this time. It soon outgrew these buildings, and in 1873, the present large and commodious building was erected by Mr. Brewer, aided generously by the vestrymen of the church and by personal friends, And now, in point of neatness, home- like character and picturesque beauty, the group of buildings of which it is
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the center, is hardly excelled by any similar institution in the State. The three foundation institutions for educating and training youth for life, here and hereafter-the home, the school and the church-seem happily and har- moniously combined.
The church, since its building, has become ivy-grown, giving it a look of age and a touch of rustic beauty refreshing amid the bare newness of public buildings in the State; and within it has been enriched by monumental sculp- ture and rich stained glass, and other accessories of a place of sacred worship, which add to its associations, and make it worthy of a passing visit.
LAUREL HALL .- This school for "young ladies and little girls," is situated one mile south of the town of San Mateo, and one-half mile west of the county road. Mrs. L. A. Buckmaster-Manson, its present proprietress, engaged in this enterprise in 1862. Miss Buckmaster, who had been teaching for some years in public schools and seminaries in Vermont (her native State), and in New York, arrived in California in December, 1856. In the spring of 1857 she was engaged to take the highest department for girls in the public school of Marysville, and remained in that charge until the fall of 1860. In Jan- uary, 1861, she opened a private school in Sacramento. Commencing with eleven pupils, the number increased to sixty-five, but in December the school was closed and not re-opened, on account of the well remembered floods of 1861-2. Miss Buckmaster then (in the spring of 1862) removed to Oakland, taking a few of her pupils with her, intending to locate there, but not being able to purchase a place that was satisfactory, as titles were unsettled, she looked elsewhere for a permanent location. After consultation with C. B. Polhemus, manager of the San Jose and San Francisco railroad, and other residents of San Mateo, Miss Buckmaster visited several sections of the county, and finally, having decided in favor of San Mateo, on account of " high lands and open views," purchased, in 1863, of D. S. Cook, twenty-seven acres of farm land, a part of which was well wooded with live oak and laurel, at one hundred dollars per acre. Subscriptions were then secured for a loan (without interest for a term) to the amount of $10,525.00. The main portion of the present building was then erected (S. C. Bugbee, architect), at a cost of about nine thousand dollars.
In May, 1864, the school was opened with eleven pupils. The number gradually increased, until 1870 there were forty pupils in attendance. In the summer of 1868 a gymnasium, 30x50 feet, was erected, and during the fall of the same year the barn and stables.
In 1871, the term of the subscription loan having expired, and it being con- sidered advisable to increase the facilities and conveniences of the building, the proprietor procured a loan from the San Francisco Savings Union for the purpose of refunding the amounts due and making the desired improvements.
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The following named gentlemen then donated the sums specified, being one- half their subscriptions for the benefit of the school, viz: Geo. H. Howard, $500; Thos. H. Selby, $375; T. G. Phelps, $125; A. J. Easton (by Mrs. Easton), $500; J. R. Bolton, $375; H. M. Newhall, $100; D. O. Mills, $375; John Parrott, $500; J. Strahle, $50; S. M. Mezes, $250; Wm. K. Garrison, $200. Total, $3,350. This amount is registered in the books of the Institute, with the names of the donors, as the Founders' Fund. Messrs. A. Hayward, Robert Watt, B. Hinckley, R. G. Sneath, John Donald, S. B. Whipple, C. B. Polhemus, and A. H. Houston, who had kindly given aid to the school by their subscriptions to the loan, were paid either in tuition (previously), or in money.
In June, 1875, Rev. E. B. Church assumed the management of the school, remaining two years, until June, 1877, when Rev. Geo. H. Watson and Mrs. Watson, of Freehold, New Jersey, became his successors and held the charge until June 1st, 1878. In July, Mrs. Buckmaster-Manson, who had been absent from the State two years (1876 and 1877) again resumed the responsible charge of the Institute.
In the fall of 1876 a two-story cottage was built at a short distance from the main house, which will accommodate some fifteen pupils, and this completes the present collection of buildings.
The situation is all that can be desired as to beauty of location and healthi- ness of climate. The adjacent foothills protect the place from the heavy sea fogs and cold winds which prevail in more exposed locations near the coast. It is easily accessible, being but an hour's ride via the Southern Pacific rail- road from San Francisco. A large and experienced corps of teachers stand ready to meet every requirement for a substantial and refined education.
Northward from San Mateo to the county line, no towns of any considerable importance are to be found. Through this part of the territory, grazing and dairying may be said to constitute the chief industry, and owing to the prox- imity to the San Francisco market, for the purpose of shipping milk, it has advantages superior to places more remote.
MILLBRAE .- The first who made a lodgement at what is now known as Millbrae station, was Perry Jones, a farmer, who located here in 1850. He afterwards built the Millbrae Hotel, and kept it for several years as a public house. Its present proprietor, J. Cunningham, of San Bruno, took possession in 1882.
In 1854 H. Garnot established himself at Millbrae as the pioneer of that place, in the merchandising business. His stock was of a general and compre- hensive character, and Garnot still holds the field there without local compe- tition, in fact it is the only store at Millbrae.
MILLBRAE OYSTER BEDS .- In the connection with Millbrae, the oyster beds in the bay, opposite the station, claim notice. The first plant was made by John
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Morgan & Co. in 1872. It consisted simply of a champagne basket full of oysters, which were brought from the east as an experiment. It would seem that the firm found encouragement in the results of this small beginning, for they afterwards brought out two car loads of ten tons each, and still later, in April, 1882, another?consignment of ten car loads of ten tons each. An idea of the growth of this industry can be formed from the fact that there are now four firms engaged in it at this point, namely: John Morgan & Co., Doane & Co., Swanberg, West & Co., and B. Morgan. The first named firm sends to the San Francisco market during the oyster season, about eighty-two thousand oysters per week; Doane & Co., forty-one thousand; Swanberg, West & Co., sixty-five thousand, and R. Morgan, twenty-five thousand,-making a grand total of two million and three thousand oysters supplied to San Francisco every week during the season, from the eastern stock.
SAN BRUNO .- This is a station in township one. Its existence dates back no further than 1862, when J. Cunningham located there and erected a hotel building which he called the San Bruno House. It is still a well-known land- mark on the old San Bruno road, and continues under the management of its original proprietor. Directly opposite the hotel is the rifle range, and south of it is the grounds where pigeons are shot from the trap. Both of these localities are well known to marksmen in this part of the State, and the latter is especially popular with the department of sportsmanship that is devoted to the " trap and trigger."
COLMA is near the northern boundary of the county, and being much nearer San Francisco than our county seat, has its business relations mainly with the former. Colma, notwithstanding it is a small place, is an exception to most towns in the county, in that it has some manufacturing interests, the tanning of hides being carried on here quite extensively. Aside from the tannery, two stores, one by J. D. Husing, the other by A. Paslaqua (who is postmaster of the place,) the blacksmith shop of Jacob Bryan, and the saloon of Geo. M. Collopy, complete the business enterprises in the town.
THE FOURTEEN MILE HOUSE, OR UNCLE TOM'S CABIN .- This historic old relic, as the name by which it is usually designated, marks a distance of fourteen miles from the old limits of San Francisco. Early in 1849, a man named Thorp erected a cabin-like structure about twelve feet square, on the mission road from San Francisco to San José and at the spot where the Fourteen Mile House now stands. The little cabin still remains, and forms the bar-room of the more commodious hotel building that has been welded to it. It was origin- ally known simply as "Thorp's place." Here the proprietor entertained the wayfarer who needed rest and reflection. In those days a man's hospitality was not measured by the metes and bounds of his cabin. Nearly every traveller
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carried his own blankets, and when night came on the nearest cabin was per- functory a hostelry, and its proprietor a boniface. If the pilgrim preferred, or if the contingency of inadequate room within the cabin made it a necessity, he spread his couch under a tree near by, or seized upon a hay-rick as his bed of state, unless, indeed, it happened to be in the rainy season, when the stable or some out-shed was taken for a dormitory. No one thought this a hardship; it was the manner of the times, and wherever one slept, he was constructively in the "hotel." It was around its generous board, and in the enjoyment of its creature comforts, that he was happy. Thorp's cabin increased in propor- tions as the surrounding country increased in population. Piece by piece was added until finally it became one of the popular resorts of the county.
About the year 1871, J. Gamble came into possession of the property, and christened it " Star and Garter." In 1878, Thomas Rolls, a colored man, pre- sided over its economy, and gave it the name of " Uncle Tom's Cabin," which clings to it to this day. During that year, August Jenevein came to this local- ity, and about eighteen months afterwards assumed the proprietorship of the establishment, which he has ever since conducted under the name of the " Fourteen Mile House."
The building is surrounded by a beautiful flower garden, with an orchard close by, and it is to-day one of the most attractive hotels in the county, both for comfort and the beauty of its surroundings.
HALF MOON BAY, OR SPANISHTOWN .- In one of the finest agricultural districts of San Mateo county, or of the State of California even, located upon what was formerly one of the largest and prettiest streams of the county, is a village of five or six hundred inhabitants, that, more than any other in the county, has the air of age and ante-American times about it, commonly called Spanish- town. At this point, unlike many others on the coast, the mountains have not crowded the valley into the sea, and a highly fertile plain of several thousand acres stretches around the shores of a bay that, on account of its configura- tion, has long been known as Half Moon Bay. Through this plain the Pilar- citos creek, before its sources were tapped by the Spring Valley Water Works, poured a considerable volume of water, which, together with the unequaled pasture lands through which it ran, became sought after by the native families, whose establishment in this vicinity was the occasion of the name, Spanishtown.
Although the days of prosperity and power of the Spanish-Mexican families have long since departed, some of the first settlers and numerous descendants" still cling to the beautiful valley, where their herds of cattle and bands of horses once roamed at will, and where the rodeos and gala-days brought the festive caballeros from far and near. The Miramontez and Vasquez families, owing to their possessions, were of most importance in this vicinity, and were located near each other, on opposite banks of the Pilarcitos. A number of the
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