Half Moon Bay in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Joseph Debenedetti Building

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 24, 2008

1. Joseph Debenedetti Building Marker

Inscription. The decade of the 1870’s saw an influx of European immigrants into the Half Moon Bay area and over to the coast. Irish, German, Italian, and Portuguese made up the majority of the newcomers whose numbers included merchants, business people, dairy and farmers. Joseph Debenedetti, a native of Genoa, Italy, was one of the earliest dry goods merchants in the area. In the late 1860’s Debenedetti traveled on foot down the San Mateo County Coastline with a heavy pack of merchandise on his back, selling door to door to the farmers along Irish Ridge. In 1872, the firm of Cereghino and Debenetti opened a branch store in Spanishtown with Joe as manager. By 1877 he had married, constructed a residence adjacent to the store and opened a third outlet in Pescadero. The general store in Spanishtown became a popular meeting place for local residents and Debenedetti acted as postmaster and was a member of the local school board. A Democrat by political persuasion, in 1896, he became the first Italian American to be elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. He was a dedicated community leader.

The Debenedetti Building Built

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1906

Erected by The Cotchett Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.

Location. 37° 27.871′ N, 122° 25.752′ W. Marker is in Half Moon Bay, California, in San Mateo County. It is on Main Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted on the front of the J Debenedetti Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Main Street, Half Moon Bay CA 94019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: "The Determination of One Man" (a few steps

Joseph Debenedetti Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, August 24, 2008

2. Joseph Debenedetti Building

from this marker); Zaballa House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Concrete Bridge Erected in San Mateo Co (about 500 feet away); The James Johnston House (approx. one mile away); Miramar Beach Restaurant (approx. 2.8 miles away); Granada's Burnham Plan (approx. 3.4 miles away); Ocean Shore R.R. and Granada (approx. 3.4 miles away); Hotel El Granada (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Half Moon Bay.

Regarding Joseph Debenedetti Building. This site is a California Point of Historical Interest (No. SMA 038).

Also see . . . Half Moon Bay Memories. (Submitted on November 22, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

Photographed by Mandy Kirby, January 1, 2019

3. Joseph Debenedetti Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,193 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 3. submitted on January 2, 2019, by Mandy Kirby of Clovis, California.