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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 threestory
brick hotel building, two lodge buildings, a theatre, 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.
Atherton | Belmont |
Burlingame |
Colma |
Daly City |
Easton |
Hillsborough
|
Lomita Park |
Menlo Park |
Millbrae |
Portola |
Ravenswood | Redwood
City |
San Burno |
San
Carlos |
San Francisco |
San Mateo
| Woodside
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