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Incorporated in 1925, San Carlos
was settled almost 200 years ago when the peaceful Ohlone Indians
first inhabited the area. It is believed the town was named after the
ship “San Carlos” which sailed into the Bay in 1755. Colonization of
the area, conversion of the Indians, and exploration soon followed.
The
Depot: In 1854, Timothy Guy Phelps, a San Francisco mercantile
owner and 49er (the original kind), was the first American to purchase
and occupy land in San Carlos. He started his estate with 200 acres
and soon increased his holdings to 3,500 acres. Once the San
Francisco/San Jose railroad was granted right of way through some of
Phelps’ property, it required that a station agent and telegraph
office be set up and maintained. That is how our famous landmark, the
San Carlos Depot, came to be built in 1888. It is a rare example of
the use of the Richardson Romanesque style in California railroad
station architecture.
San Carlos Becomes A Town: With the railroad
completed, attempts were made to develop a town. Frederick Drake of
the Mercantile Trust arrived in 1917. He proved to be the most
successful of would-be developers by improving the water supply and
piping water to individual lots, installing gas and electricity, and
paving the streets. Then came the first school, where 20 pupils met
in a house. By 1918, a new two-room schoolhouse accommodated eight
grades.
In
1919, a hangar and flying field had been built between San Carlos
Avenue and Brittan Avenue east of the railroad. Along with the
housing development, a few businesses started up. By 1922, San Carlos
had its first restaurant, Tate’s Tea Room, which is now the Carlos
Club on El Camino. A volunteer fire department was formed in 1923 and
fundraising by the volunteers and their wives resulted in a firehouse
being built in the same year. Other commercial establishments
followed, clustering west of The Depot in the first two blocks of
Cypress Avenue (as San Carlos Avenue was then called) and spreading
out along El Camino Real. Pictured at left is Conklins General Store
which sold gas, bakery goods and a variety of other merchandise.
The
citizens of San Carlos voted to incorporate in June, 1925. Drake,
known as the Father of San Carlos, continued to promote the town and
coined our motto, “The City of Good Living.” Drake also founded the
San Carlos Enquirer (now the Independent Newspaper), was a key
organizer of nearby Sequoia High School and established the Chamber of
Commerce in 1926.
Burton Park:
Burton Park was the first public
recreation facility established by the City. In March 1938, citizens
passed a 20-year bond issue for purchase of the designated property.
That same year, the WPA (Works Progress Administration) constructed an
amphitheater and an adobe brick building at the Park. Later an
additional 3.38 acres were purchased, where the game of baseball could
be played. The park was dedicated in 1940 and re-dedicated in June
1960 to honor a key City activist and Mayor, Edward Burton, for his
many years of service to the community. |
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MUSEUM OF SAN CARLOS HISTORY
533 Laurel Street Phone: (650) 802-4354
A visit to the Museum of San Carlos History is an easy way to learn
about San Carlos’ early days. The San Carlos Villagers, an historical
society, are Museum docents. (Villagers membership is open to anyone
residing in San Carlos for two years or more.)
Inspired by the need
for a place to house a restored fire truck (a gleaming red 1927
Seagrave, restored to its original condition by several members of the
San Carlos Fire Department), the San Carlos Lions Club built the
Museum on the site of the first fire house. Funding came from Lions
Club activities plus donations from San Carlos groups and citizens.
The Museum was donated to the City of San Carlos in April 1981.
Museum memorabilia
includes early San Carlos photos and maps, as well as memorabilia from
the police and fire departments, San Carlos High School and the early
electronics industry which began here. A 10-minute historical
video presentation details San Carlos History and points out landmarks
of yesterday and today.
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Open: 1 pm to 4 pm
every Saturday of the month
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Expanded hours
during the summer and during Hometown Days, Art & Wine Faire and the
Annual Fire Station Open House
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Call for special
group tours
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