Orange Park in South San Francisco in San Mateo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Development of Industry in the Area
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, September 9, 2022
1. Development of Industry in the Area Marker
Did you know that prior to World War II, the area you’re standing on was a prolific mushroom farm! McFarland and Nesbit Mushroom Company operated from 1921 through 1945 on the land between what is now Centennial Way Trail and Colma Creek.
Following the war, the mushroom farm was developed and replaced with homes, factories and warehouses. The building in front of you was constructed and operated by the Colonial Bakery Company. Colonial Bakery was very popular in the region., and delivered fresh bread, cakes, cookies, pies and other pastries in their distinctive delivery vans to residents in the 1950s and 1960s. Everyone loved treats from Colonial!
Bimbo Bakery USA acquired this facility and the Colonial operations in 2002.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Food & Drink • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 37° 38.755′ N, 122° 25.317′ W. Marker is in South San Francisco, California, in San Mateo County. It is in Orange Park. It is at the intersection of South Spruce Avenue and Centennial Way Trail, on the left when
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Regionally, this marker is in the 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 walking distance of this marker: Cut Stone Bridge (here, next to this marker); Transportation Evolution (here, next to this marker); First Shipboard Landing (approx. 0.7 miles away); Tanforan Racetrack Japanese Assembly Center (approx. 0.7 miles away); Seabiscuit (approx. ¾ mile away); Tanforan Assembly Center Commemorative Garden (approx. ¾ mile away); Plymire-Schwarz House (approx. 0.8 miles away); South San Francisco General Hospital (approx.
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, September 9, 2022
2. Inset Image
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, September 9, 2022
3. Inset Image
High School on Spruce.
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, September 9, 2022
4. Marker with Factory in the Background
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, September 9, 2022
5. Development of Industry in the Area Marker
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, September 9, 2022
6. Colonial Bakery (now Bimbo) Building
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 603 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on October 12, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 20, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
