Redwood City History
Redwood City is the oldest incorporated city in San Mateo County. Located approximately 27 miles (43 km) south of San Francisco and 24 miles (39 km) north of San Jose, Redwood City’s history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the ancient Ohlone Indians to the present-day home of over 76,000 residents. This area constitutes a diverse, well-developed city that is home to several unique neighborhoods and several different companies, both large and small. In 1776, Spanish Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza and his troops took an exploratory trip into what is now known as the Peninsula and became the first Europeans to pass through Redwood City. As time progressed, more Spanish colonists arrived, establishing farming outposts and large cattle ranches
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Don Jose was granted 69,000 acres in the form of an estate he called Rancho de las Pulgas, which included present-day Redwood City, Belmont, San Carlos, Menlo Park, and Woodside. When Mexico was granted independence from Spain, the Mexican government reaffirmed these 69,000 acres to Don Jose’s son, Don Luis Arguello, in 1822.
After the Mexican–American War, Spanish-Mexican property owners were forced to defend their titles of land before the United States Land Commission. The Arguello family hired an attorney, Simon Montserrate Mezes, who succeeded in defending the family, and was thus compensated with some land belonging to the Arguello estate. Comprising present-day downtown Redwood City, the new town was christened Mezesville by Mezes, but was eventually renamed Redwood City as a salute to the area’s abundance of stately redwood trees.
Redwood City real estate market developed very rapidly, mainly due to the deep, ship-bearing waters of the city’s local port. In the mid-1800s, business boomed, the population increased, and Redwood City was selected to become the county seat for newly developed San Mateo County. The arrival of the railroad in 1863 continued to fuel businesses and, as a result, land values increased significantly. Many citizens petitioned for the city to incorporate and, on March 27, 1868, the State of California approved Redwood City as the first incorporated city in San Mateo
Don Jose was granted 69,000 acres in the form of an estate he called Rancho de las Pulgas, which included present-day Redwood City, Belmont, San Carlos, Menlo Park, and Woodside. When Mexico was granted independence from Spain, the Mexican government reaffirmed these 69,000 acres to Don Jose’s son, Don Luis Arguello, in 1822.
After the Mexican–American War, Spanish-Mexican property owners were forced to defend their titles of land before the United States Land Commission. The Arguello family hired an attorney, Simon Montserrate Mezes, who succeeded in defending the family, and was thus compensated with some land belonging to the Arguello estate. Comprising present-day downtown Redwood City, the new town was christened Mezesville by Mezes, but was eventually renamed Redwood City as a salute to the area’s abundance of stately redwood trees.
Redwood City real estate market developed very rapidly, mainly due to the deep, ship-bearing waters of the city’s local port. In the mid-1800s, business boomed, the population increased, and Redwood City was selected to become the county seat for newly developed San Mateo County. The arrival of the railroad in 1863 continued to fuel businesses and, as a result, land values increased significantly. Many citizens petitioned for the city to incorporate and, on March 27, 1868, the State of California approved Redwood City as the first incorporated city in San Mateo