A Brief History of San Mateo County

Rich in resources and with one of the best climates in the world, the San Francisco Peninsula has always been a beacon for settlers. The first known settlements were those of the Ohlone Indians, hunters and gatherers, who located themselves beneath some of the huge oak trees that still dot the area. Spanish explorers, padres and ranchers claimed the area, utilizing the ideal conditions for food production. Few Anglo settlers came before the gold rush, when the area like much of California was invaded by the 49ers. Although little if any gold was found in the county, the settlers stayed establishing a thriving lumber community and numerous dairy farms.

In 1856 the city and county of San Francisco was incorporated within its present borders, the land down the peninsula that was not included in the incorporation became San Mateo County. A portion of the bill that established the county required the election of county officers and the naming of a county seat on the second Monday of May of the current year (1856). Three well known but not very ethical politicians, Bernard and Billy Mulligan and Chris Lilly, arranged to gain control of the new county's government. The resulting vote was proof of corruption. The Laguna area reported 297 votes with a voting population of 25, while Colma had a return of 500 with 50-60 eligible voters. In Belmont, witnesses were not allowed to monitor the vote. In all 1,800 ballots were cast in an area with a total population of only 2,500 at a time when only adult males were eligible to vote.

Fortunately, not all of those who were elected were corrupt. The post of County Judge was won by Benjamin I Fox of Redwood City. It was his court, sitting in the temporary quarters at Angelo's Hotel in Belmont (the town named county seat in the election) that presided over the suits resulting from the election. As the trials went on, earlier misdeeds caught up with many of the accused. The majority fled the area for parts unknown. Others, however, were caught, tried and at least one, James Casey, was hung.

Stating that an election that took place before the Consolidation Act that necessitated it took effect on July 1 could not be legal, the California State Supreme Court threw out the entire election in October of 1856. The officials who were in place, however, continued to function as San Mateo County's governing body until a true and legal election was held in 1857. When the legislature officially recognized San Mateo County in 1857, they named Redwood City as the capitol.

The wealthy of San Francisco opened summer homes on the Peninsula. In the early days, it was a full day trip to get from San Francisco to those homes. Then first the railroad and later improved roads and cars opened up the possibilities and the inhabitants of San Francisco moved permanently into San Mateo County. The 1906 earthquake displaced many people in San Francisco. After relocating in San Mateo County, many never moved back into San Francisco. World War I brought industrial growth to the areas around South San Francisco and with it an influx of residents. No longer did residents have to travel to work in San Francisco, they were employed in masses on the peninsula.