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What San Mateo looked like in the late-19th Century Through Historical Photos

San Mateo city is located in San Mateo County, California. Known for its rich history and Mediterranean climate, it is an important community. It is estimated that the city’s first inhabitants were members of a tribe of the Ohlone Indians who lived in the area between South San Francisco and Belmont at least 4000 years before the first explorers arrived on the Peninsula.

The milder climate in the mid-Peninsula led to some San Franciscans building summer homes there around the 1850s. Sun Water Station, a stage station on the Butterfield Overland Mail route, was established in San Mateo in 1858. This train station was located in San Bruno, which is now called San Bruno, and Redwood City, 9 miles away from this station. Howard Estate was constructed in 1859 on the hill behind Crystal Springs Road. Parrot Hill and Howard Hill are the names of two hills in the same area, which were named after Parrott Estate, erected in 1860. In 1874, the Borel Estate was developed near Borel Creek. Since the late 20th century, it has been converted into modern offices and shops.

As San Mateo developed as a community, its citizens sought permanent places of worship. The first Roman Catholic church in San Mateo was built on land donated by Charles Polhemus at Third Avenue and Ellsworth. In 1864, the Episcopalians began constructing their church on land donated by the George Howard family and consecrated it on May 23, 1866. Stones for the church were extracted from the Crystal Springs quarry, and for many years it was the only stone church in the state. Two schools were also established in the San Mateo area, one for girls and one for boys. Ms Buckmaster’s School for Girls opened in 1864 with eleven students. Although Miss Buckmaster’s School lasted only a short time, her estate leased it to a private boys’ school in 1887. St. Mathew’s Hall was established by Episcopal Reverend A.L. Brewer in 1866 at what is today 415, South Ellsworth. The reputation of St. Mathew’s Hall as an outstanding school spread far, and three Hawaiian princes attended the school.

Below are some fascinating historical photos that show what San Mateo, CA looked like in the late-19th century.

#1 Aerial View of San Mateo take from ‘Howard’s Mount,’ 1885

#2 Half Moon Bay View, 1880

Half Moon Bay View, 1880

View of Half Moon Bay Road and surrounding fields in San Mateo County. The steeple of Catholic Church and Half Moon Bay are seen in the right background. A horse-drawn wagon is on the road.

#3 The Flood Residence, Menlo Park, 1880

The Flood Residence, Menlo Park, 1880

View of Linden Park, the James Clair Flood family mansion in Menlo Park. Three-story Gothic Victorian-style building with a central dome and ornate details all around and a wraparound porch. A large and very busy 3-tiered fountain is at the center of a large pool in the foreground.

#4 San Mateo between, 1880

San Mateo between, 1880

View of the glass-paned gazebo at an unknown residence in San Mateo County. Plants and trees surround, and angular dirt paths break a well-manicured lawn. Timothy G. Phelps,

#5 B Street Bridge – Construction – North View, 1890’s

#7 B Street Bridge – Construction- East View, 1890’s

B Street Bridge - Construction- East View, 1890's

Construction of B Street Bridge over San Mateo Creek in the late 1890s. Photo is taken looking east. House at the far left was the home and office of Dr. Sanderson (dentist). To the right (south) of the gables house is the "Brown block," followed by 2nd Avenue and the Jennings Livery stable at the corner of 2nd Avenue and B Street.

#11 B Street, 1883

B Street, 1883

Avenue of Mud - B Street, before concrete and asphalt were heard of in San Mateo. B Street was a busy thoroughfare, and in those days, they used lumber on the store awnings, and hip boots were all the style.

#12 B Street Liquor and Fancy Grocery After, 1898

B Street Liquor and Fancy Grocery After, 1898

The B Street Liquor and Fancy Grocery Department of Levy Bros. Ferdinand Levy are in the center, Bob Bonner at far right.

#13 Residence, Chas. Holbrook, San Mateo, 1899

Residence, Chas. Holbrook, San Mateo, 1899

View of the residence of Charles Holbrook in Fair Oaks (now Atherton). 2 story building with arched windows, a large covered porch with wide steps leading down to the unpaved driveway. Many trees and plantings surround the house.

#14 Millbrae, Residence of D.O. Mills, 1874

Millbrae, Residence of D.O. Mills, 1874

Photographic views of one hundred and twelve of the principal and most picturesque places of California. View of Millbrae, the residence of D.O. Mills. Three-story victorian house with cupolas on the roof and a domed greenhouse beyond. Unpaved driveways cross through the manicured lawn in the foreground. Darius Ogden Mills built Millbrae on land purchased from Jose de la Cruz, originally the Rancho Buri.

#16 The Connor House, Redwood City, 1890

The Connor House, Redwood City, 1890

View of the Connor house in Redwood City. The story house with many peaks in the roof, scalloped roofing tiles, and gingerbread details. The yard is overgrown, and trees surround the house, an older woman is seated on the porch, and a boy stands next to the house.

#17 Residence, Col. Eyre, Menlo, 1899

Residence, Col. Eyre, Menlo, 1899

Partial view of the residence and landscaping of Colonel Eyre. The two-story white building with balconies and a covered porch. Palm and deciduous trees are in the well-manicured yard.

#18 Pigeon Point Lighthouse, San Mateo County, 1875

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, San Mateo County, 1875

View of the Pigeon Point Lighthouse showing two women sitting on a bench next to the lighthouse; three men are standing on the outside walkway of the tower near the light. One of three views of Pigeon Point in the Mammoth Plate Collection.

#19 Residence. Timothy Hopkins, Menlo, 1889

Residence. Timothy Hopkins, Menlo, 1889

View of the house of Timothy Hopkins in Menlo Park, three-story Victorian with cupola at left and arched windows across. A large fountain is in the forefront, featuring winged lions and the human figure; the expansive lawn is studded with trees and statuary.

#20 The Lodge.” Entrance to Flood Residence, Menlo, 1880

The Lodge." Entrance to Flood Residence, Menlo, 1880

View of "The Lodge" at the James Clair Flood estate entrance, Linden Towers, in Menlo Park. Single story ornate Victorian gothic building just beyond an ornate white gateway.

#21 D.O. Mills Residence, 1899

D.O. Mills Residence, 1899

View of the inside of the D.O. Mills residence in Millbrae. Ornately painted ceiling and walls, pillars, and arches separate room with large urn lamp from the stairwell. Stairs have patterned carpet runners and ornately carved railings. A grandfather clock topped by a bust is on the landing of the stairs, and a statue of a woman and boy is in the hall below.

#23 San Mateo Fire Department – July 4, 1890

San Mateo Fire Department - July 4, 1890

The San Mateo Fire Department volunteer firemen. A fire hose truck is in the background.

#24 Wisnom Carpenter and Builder Shop, 1880’s

Wisnom Carpenter and Builder Shop, 1880's

Wisdom Carpenter and Builder Shop. First Wisnom store in San Mateo. The gentleman in white coveralls in the center of the photo is John Powers, who later became Mayor of San Mateo.

#25 View of San Mateo Creek, 1874

View of San Mateo Creek, 1874

Photographic views of one hundred and twelve of the principal and most picturesque places of California, vol. Ground-level view of San Mateo Creek with a bridge visible upstream. Trees overhand on either side.

#26 Union Hotel at 3rd Avenue and Railroad, 1881

Union Hotel at 3rd Avenue and Railroad, 1881

The Union Hotel at 3rd Avenue and Railroad. Built by James D. Byrnes. Former site R.R. House

#27 San Mateo, 1874

San Mateo, 1874

Views of one hundred and twelve of the principal and most picturesque places of California.

#28 Central School, the 1890s

Central School, the 1890s

The new Central School, which was completed in the fall of 1893, was located on Ellsworth. San Mateo's Central Fire Station is located on the former school site, part of Mills Square.

#29 Crystal Springs Dam, 1890

Crystal Springs Dam, 1890

Crystal Springs Dam, looking up at the falls, 120 feet high.

#30 Dr. Whitwell’s Sanitarium Homestead, 1888

Dr. Whitwell's Sanitarium Homestead, 1888

Dr. Whitwell's Sanitarium Homestead. About 1888. Located east of Aragon High School (1975) and west of El Camino at Homestead. An insane asylum. Robert Wisdom built it.

#31 St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church – Decorated for Easter, 1895

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church - Decorated for Easter, 1895

Church of St. Matthew - Easter about 1895. View of the altar and organ pipes decorated for Easter

#32 May 19 Pole, St. Matthews School, the 1880s

May 19 Pole, St. Matthews School, the 1880s

May Pole dance was held on the campus of St. Matthews School, later site of San Mateo Junior College. The occasion was a guild bazaar about 1888-1890. They were standing l to the right Mable Lawrence, May Greene, Mary Morse, Grace Lawrence, Frances Soule, Mrs. Della Morse, Directress; Miss. Watson, kneeling -

#33 Crystal Springs, 1874

Crystal Springs, 1874

Photographic views of one hundred and twelve of the principal and most picturesque places of California, vol. 3, page 85. View of Crystal Springs, in a valley with trees, buildings, and fenced-in areas. Crystal Springs resort and settlement are located in the area of Lower and Upper Crystal Springs Reservoir.

#35

What San Mateo looked like in the late-19th Century Through Historical Photos

It was located on Rancho San Mateo, owned by William Davis Merry Howard in the 1850s. Rancho land was eventually included in the towns of San Mateo, Hillsborough, and Burlingame.

#36 Hayward Residence later converted to Peninsula Hotel, the 1890s

Hayward Residence later converted to Peninsula Hotel, the 1890s

Hayward Residence before being transformed into the Peninsula Hotel. Alvinzo Hayward died on February 20, 1904, at 82 years of age. This building was later burned down.

#37 Merry Few Dramatic Club, 1896

Merry Few Dramatic Club, 1896

Merry Few Dramatic Club, taken about 1896. L to R: George Dickie, Jr.; Alex Dickie; Gladys Worden; Clara Paulin (later Mrs. Alex Dickie); William Mead; Ella Carrick (later Mrs. George Dickie, Jr.). The scene was taken in the Library Hall.

#38 Residence, Charles Holbrook, San Mateo, 1899

Residence, Charles Holbrook, San Mateo, 1899

View of the residence of Charles Holbrook in Fair Oaks (now Atherton). 2 story building with wraparound covered porch, partially obscured by palm and other trees planted in the yard.

#39 Fair Oaks, Residence of Thos. H. Selby, 1874

Fair Oaks, Residence of Thos. H. Selby, 1874

View of the fountain and grounds at Fair Oaks, the residence of Thomas H Selby. Large round pool with central spray. The house is just visible through the trees beyond. Thomas H. Selby arrived in San Francisco in 1849. Established business Thomas H. Selby & Co., becoming a prominent citizen and Mayor of the city.

#40 View at San Mateo, 1870

View at San Mateo, 1870

Gift of Florence V. Flinn to the Society of California Pioneers

#41 San Mateo from the West, San Mateo, 1870

San Mateo from the West, San Mateo, 1870

Gift of Florence V. Flinn to the Society of California Pioneers

#42 Res., Edgar Mills, San Mateo, 1880

Res., Edgar Mills, San Mateo, 1880

View of the residence and grounds of Edgar Mills in Menlo Park. A three-story white house is barely visible through the trees. Palm trees, many cactus plants, and various other kinds of trees are planted throughout the lawn.

#43 Col. Harney’s Villa Residence, at Menlo, 1880

Col. Harney's Villa Residence, at Menlo, 1880

View of Colonel William Harney's villa in Menlo Park. A single-story, peak roofed house is overgrown with flowering vines and surrounded by small palm trees and shrubs. Two women and a child are seen on the unpaved circular driveway. A small windmill is visible beyond.

#44 Col. Harney’s Residence, Menlo, 1890

Col. Harney's Residence, Menlo, 1890

View of Colonel William Harney's villa in Menlo Park. The two-story white building with a peaked roof and a covered porch surrounding it. Many trees and other plants surround the lawn.

#45 Col. Harney’s Villa Residence, Menlo Park, 1899

Col. Harney's Villa Residence, Menlo Park, 1899

View of Colonel William Harney's villa in Menlo Park. A white building with a peaked roof and a striped awning is overgrown with vines and surrounded by trees. A woman stands in the unpaved driveway, and three boys are seated on and near the porch.

#46 Frank Tanning Co., Redwood City, 1899

Frank Tanning Co., Redwood City, 1899

View of Franks Tanning Company in Redwood City. There is a cluster of large wooden plank buildings next to a waterway. 2 sailboats and a rowboat are seen. A fenced-in muddy track area is visible in the foreground.

#47 Court House, Redwood City, the 1890s

Court House, Redwood City, the 1890s

View of the Court House in Redwood City. Two-story stone building with arched windows and ornate molding. A statue of Justice is on top of the building, above the front entrance. A group of men stands on the steps out front.

#48 Res. James Robinson, Redwood City, the 1890s

Res. James Robinson, Redwood City, the 1890s

View of James Robinson's House in Redwood City, a two-story house with decoratively paned windows, the porch is overgrown with vines. The lawn is well-manicured, the roof has raised scalloped ridgeline details.

#49 Spanishtown, Half Moon Bay, 1899

Spanishtown, Half Moon Bay, 1899

View of the town of Pescadero taken from above. Farmland with various houses, buildings, and windmills. "Pescadero" has been handwritten above the original title.

#50 Residence, Gen. Dimond, Menlo Park, 1889

Residence, Gen. Dimond, Menlo Park, 1889

View of the residence of General William Henry Dimond. House at right, obscured by vines; 3 palm trees and some other plantings break up the lawn at the center.

#51 Residence, Gen. Dimond, Menlo, 1890

Residence, Gen. Dimond, Menlo, 1890

View of the residence of General William Henry Dimond in Menlo Park. Two-story house with windows above the roofline, front overgrown with vines. Family stands on and around the front steps. Many trees surround the property.

#52 Residence, H. Balfour, Menlo, 1899

Residence, H. Balfour, Menlo, 1899

View of the residence of H. Balfour in Menlo Park. Two-story house with a wraparound porch. Two women are seated on the porch and stairs, and several turkeys wander the lawn.

#53 Residence, W. J. Adams, Menlo, 1899

Residence, W. J. Adams, Menlo, 1899

View of the residence of W. J. Adams in Menlo Park. A two-story white house with a square tower room is seen through trees and landscaping; a horse-drawn carriage is stopped on the unpaved driveway.

#55 Episcopal Chapel, Menlo, 1890

Episcopal Chapel, Menlo, 1890

View of an Episcopal Chapel in Menlo Park. Single story peak roofed building with stained glass and a mix of horizontal siding and scalloped shingles, topped by a cupola and a Celtic cross.

#56 Residence, Col. Eyre, Menlo, 1899

Residence, Col. Eyre, Menlo, 1899

Partial view of Colonel Eyre's residence and landscaping. Two-story white building mostly obscured by trees. Palm and deciduous trees line the unpaved, curved driveway.

#57 Residence, Chas. N. Felton, Menlo, 1899

Residence, Chas. N. Felton, Menlo, 1899

View of the residence of Charles N. Felton in Menlo Park. A large deciduous tree partially obscures a two-story house with a covered porch. A star-shaped planting bed is in the foreground.

#58 Faxon Atherton, Menlo, 1899

Faxon Atherton, Menlo, 1899

View of the Faxon Atherton residence in Menlo Park. Single story bungalow with large covered porch, surrounded by dirt and trees. A large Eucalyptus tree is in the foreground.

#59 Residence, Nathaniel Brittan, Belmont, 1899

Residence, Nathaniel Brittan, Belmont, 1899

View of the Nathaniel Brittan estate in Belmont. Three-story wooden house with peaked tile roof and stonework details. Wide unpaved driveway and well-trimmed hedgerow. Several bird cages and two children in bonnets are seen outside.

#60 Menlo Park Depot, 1899

Menlo Park Depot, 1899

View of the Menlo Park train depot. Two sets of train tracks and a wooden platform with railroad train cars are visible in the distance. Small wooden buildings flank tracks. Several men, women, and horse-drawn carriages wait at the right.

#61 Res. Grounds, Edgar Mills, Menlo, 1899

Res. Grounds, Edgar Mills, Menlo, 1899

View of the grounds surrounding the residence of Edgar Mills in Menlo Park. A wide unpaved path edged by small boxwood hedges is at the center, surrounded by grass, rose bushes, trees, and other plants.

#62 The Selby Homestead, Menlo, 1899

The Selby Homestead, Menlo, 1899

View of the Selby homestead in Menlo Park. Two-story houses with vines growing on the large front porch. A woman and dog are seated on the porch steps.

#63 The Selby Homestead, Menlo, 1899

The Selby Homestead, Menlo, 1899

View of the Selby homestead in Menlo Park. A single-story building with a small porch is seen through trees; a second building is barely visible beyond at left. Two children are seen playing catch.

#64 Res. Grounds, D.O. Mills, Millbrae, 1899

Res. Grounds, D.O. Mills, Millbrae, 1899

View of the grounds of the D.O. Mills residence in Millbrae. The domed glass building is seen through the trees at the right. Walkways meander through the bushes, trees, and statuary.

#65 Residence, D.O. Mills, Millbrae, 1899

Residence, D.O. Mills, Millbrae, 1899

View of the D.O. Mills residence in Millbrae. Three-story building with two towers flanking the entry and ironwork fencing decorating the roofline. Glass dome is visible at right, beyond the trees.

#67 Residence. Frank Kentfield, Near Redwood City

Residence. Frank Kentfield, Near Redwood City

View of Frank Kentfield's house near Redwood City. A small two-story building with small gingerbread details on the porch, a rocking chair by the front door, mature plants is throughout the yard. A windmill is seen in the background.

#68 Residence Andrew Smith, Redwood

Residence Andrew Smith, Redwood

View of the house of Andrew Smith in Redwood City. The unpaved driveway leads up to a dark-colored picket fence with square pillars and an open gate. At left, behind trees, is a large house with gingerbread details along the roofline. At right, a barn roof is visible.

#69 The Pagoda,” Grounds of T. Hopkins, Menlo Park, 1899

The Pagoda," Grounds of T. Hopkins, Menlo Park, 1899

View of a pagoda on the grounds of the T. Hopkins residence in Menlo Park. Square building with a semi-circular dome on top, two spires, and small onion dome, and crescent moon details on the roof. A covered porch surrounds the building, and trees and statuary are throughout the surrounding lawn.

#70 Hanson’s Mill, La Honda, 1899

Hanson's Mill, La Honda, 1899

View of Hanson's Mill in La Honda. Several wooden structures in the woods with a railroad bridge at right. Piles of lumber and millworkers are seen throughout, and a team of oxen is beyond the bridge at the center.

#71 Atherton Place, Fair Oaks, 1899

Atherton Place, Fair Oaks, 1899

View of the Atherton residence in Fair Oaks. A two-story building with shuttered arched windows and a wraparound porch is seen from its unpaved driveway, framed by trees and small boxwood hedges.

#72 Redwood Creek and Embarcadero, 1899

Redwood Creek and Embarcadero, 1899

View of Redwood Creek and the Embarcadero in Redwood City. Wooden dock and warehouses at right, piles of lumber, two sailboats, and a rowboat are also visible. Creek curves through the center.

#73 Redwood City. General View from the North. San Mateo, 1870

#74 6. The Court House, Redwood City, San Mateo, 1870

#75 Junction House, Corner of El Camino and San Mateo Ave., the late 1800s

Junction House, Corner of El Camino and San Mateo Ave., the late 1800s

This is the corner of San Mateo Avenue ('San Bruno Toll Road') and El Camino Real ('Mission Road') in the late 1800s. Gus Jenevein's Junction House, built in 1889, is where the Union Oil Company and the Antique Emporium were located in 1983.

#77 Redwood City, San Mateo County, 1880

Redwood City, San Mateo County, 1880

View of two men on the wooden sidewalk along the street in Redwood City. A partial view of the Tremont House hotel is seen on the right, and a Cheap Cash Store is seen on the distant left.

#78 Georgia Pa, a Pachango Mission Indian and mother of Captain Mateo Pa, the chieftain, 1892

Georgia Pa, a Pachango Mission Indian and mother of Captain Mateo Pa, the chieftain, 1892

Photograph of Georgia Pa, a Pachango Mission Indian, and mother of Captain Mateo Pa, the chieftain, ca.1892. She is sitting in her thatched house, near the wood door. She is barefooted, wearing a light-colored scarf, dress, and work apron. There is a small wooden box behind her. The portion of the house in the foreground clearly shows the method of thatched construction.

#80 Old Junction House, 1892

Old Junction House, 1892

August Jenevein (far right in the photograph) was an essential member of the early San Bruno community. He managed Uncle Tom's Cabin in the 1870s before buying the lot across El Camino from the Cabin. In 1889 he built the New Orleans-style Junction House, a bar, hotel, and restaurant for travelers on El Camino.

#82 The wharf at Pigeon Point Landing, 1870

The wharf at Pigeon Point Landing, 1870

The pier at Pigeon Point Landing. It was used as a whaling station and a shipping station for the dairy products from nearby coastal dairies. Pigeon Point was named for the British sailing vessel, the Carrier Pigeon, that wrecked on the rocks in 1865. The Pigeon Point Light Station (to the right) was built in 1871. The light was first lit in 1872. This area is now part of Pigeon Point Lighthouse State Historic Park. Pigeon Point was part of Santa Cruz County until 1868, when it became part of San Mateo County.

#83 Redwood City, 1877

San Mateo late-19th century

of Main Street, Redwood City, looking towards two sailing ships (center). The left side of the street: Claus Hadler Eureka Brewery building, Grand Hotel with carriage in front, P.P. Chamberlain Dry Goods, Groceries & Hardware store; ships at the end of the street. The right side of the road from center: Tremont House carriage, hotel building, bath and barbershop, G.A.

#84 Home of Prince Poniatowski, Burlingame, 1894

Home of Prince Poniatowski, Burlingame, 1894

Andre Poniatowski, a Polish prince, arrived in California in 1894 and returned to France in 1904. Involved in creating California Exploration Company to develop mines in the Mother Lode, the Sierra Railway Company to provide a railroad into the Mother Lode, and Standard Electric Company (eventually PG&E) to supply electricity to San Francisco. Had residence, Sky Farm, in Burlingame.

#85 Pigeon Point Lighthouse, 1880

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, 1880

View of Pigeon Point Lighthouse. It shows two men on rocks below, a man and woman to the left of the lighthouse, and two men on the exterior walkway on the tower near the light.

#86 Menlo Park Station, 1870

Menlo Park Station, 1870

View of the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot in Menlo Park. It shows people waiting on both sides of two sets of tracks, station to the left, wooden decking along the left of tracks, and between the two sets of tracks, grass, and flowers to the right of the second track.

Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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