Colma in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Colma City Hall

Erected 1936 – 1940

Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 24, 2009

1. Colma City Hall Marker

Inscription. Architect
Resing & Mc Ginnes
Contractor H.H. Smith
**
Incorporated as Lawndale
In Aug. 1924. The Town’s name
was changed to Colma in Nov. 1941

Originally the Town Hall
served as a traffic court,
post office, health dept. and
City Hall. It was leased to
The Army Corps of Engineers
from Oct. 1943 to Oct. 1944.
It remains today as the Colma
City Hall serving the most
unique city-cemetery complex
in the United States.
**
IT’S GREAT TO BE ALIVE IN COLMA
**
Dedicated Jan.13, 1990
Emperor Norton Brigade
Yerba Buena Chapter No.1
E. Clampus Vitus

Erected 1990 by Yerba Buena Chapter No.1, E. Clampus Vitus.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Communications • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 13, 1875.

Location. 37° 40.595′ N, 122° 27.52′ W. Marker is in Colma, California, in San Mateo County. It is on El Camino Real near Serramonte Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1198 El Camino Real, Daly City CA 94014, 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,

in 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Benjamin Kreiger (approx. 0.3 miles away); Old Colma Railroad Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Mount Olivet Cemetery Office and Streetcar Line (approx. 0.4 miles away); Colma Historical Museum (approx. 0.4 miles away); Waterworks and the Pump House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Joe Cavalli – Historical Site (approx. 0.6 miles away); Molloy’s Springs (approx. 0.6 miles away); Cuneo Farm and Produce Market (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colma.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Railroad Semaphore Signal (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. History of the Town of Colma. Town website entry (Submitted on April 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.)

2. San Francisco’s City of the Dead: Colma, California. Unusual Places entry (Submitted on February 11, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. “It’s Great to Be Alive in Colma”
Origin of the town slogan:

This is the Town of Colma’s official logo, created by Reno Taini in 1983:
He was at a holiday party for the residents and was speaking to a Colma businessman who

Colma City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 24, 2009

2. Colma City Hall

had a cabinet shop. He was saying what a great life here in this small community to live. “It is great to be alive in Colma”. A big laugh resulted and many said that he should make some bumper stickers with that saying. He did at his own expense and took them to City Hall. They liked it and made it Colma’s official slogan.

— Submitted April 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

2. There are 17 cemeteries now located in Colma:
1887 – Holy Cross, 1889 – Home of Piece, 1889 – Hills of Eternity, 1891 – Salem Memorial Park, 1892 – Cypress Lawn, 1896 – Olivet Memorial Park, 1899 – Italian Cemetery, 1901 – Serbian Cemetery, 1901 – Eternal Home, 1901 – Japanese Cemetery, 1903 – Greenlawn Memorial Park, 1904 – Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1907 Sunset View, 1935 – Greek Orthodox Memorial Park, 1947 – Pet’s Rest, 1988 – Hoy Sun, 1994 – Golden Hills Memorial Park.

— Submitted April 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

3. Just a few of Colma’s famous “Underground Residents”
David Broderick – US Senator, Shot by Chief Justice David Terry [SEE BRODERICK-TERRY
Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 24, 2009

3. Colma City Hall
DUEL Marker for additional information], Joe DiMaggio, Baseball Hall of Fame, Wyatt Earp, Western Folklore Hero & Sheriff, Bill Graham – Rock Concert Promoter, Andrew Hallidie – Inventor of the San Francisco Cable Car, William Randolph Hearst – Founder of Hearst Publications and owner of Hearst Castle, Claus Speckles – Speckles Sugar, Levi Strauss – Levi Clothing…and many more.

— Submitted April 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Gravesite of Joe DiMaggio image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Syd Whittle, April 24, 2009

4. Gravesite of Joe DiMaggio

One of Colma's famous "Underground Residents". See Comment #3

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,593 times since then and 32 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week July 5, 2009. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.