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

Redwood City Sesquicentennial

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, October 8, 2022

1. Redwood City Sesquicentennial Marker

Inscription. Residents of this maritime-oriented village known as Embarcadero, Mezesville, Redwood Landing, and Redwood met 150 years ago in civic action to improve muddy, impassable streets that halted commerce during the winter. Twice before, residents had met to solve community problems: in 1856, when San Mateo County was organized and residents were threatened by an invasion of political scoundrels from San Francisco, and in 1861, when the townspeople organized a fire department. In 1863, the railroad arrived, causing profound changes, and land values spiraled upward as wealthy San Franciscans ventured south to build large homes. By 1900, the lumber business had left the area, and tanning, manufacturing, salt production, agriculture, and businesses like hotels and general stores flourished. In 1906, the San Francisco Earthquake displaced thousands of people, whom Redwood City welcomed. Thus the population boom commenced. Redwood City began its transformation from a rough-and-tumble lumber and shipping town to today's vibrant city, bustling with restaurants, theaters, historic tours, tech 'companies, and the Port of Redwood City—the

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only deepwater port on the South Bay. In 2017, we will celebrate Redwood City's sesquicentennial with events that will bring our community together to discover our history, honor our diversity, and explore our neighborhoods.

Erected 2017 by Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number GPY 140-09.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.

Location. 37° 29.492′ N, 122° 14.192′ W. Marker is in Redwood City, California, in San Mateo County. It is on Warren Street near Howland Street, on the right when traveling west. The plaque is mounted to a concrete foundation at Mezes Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1027 Allerton Street, Redwood City CA 94063, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, October 8, 2022

2. Redwood City Sesquicentennial Marker

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mezes Park (a few steps from this marker); S.M. Mezes (within shouting distance of this marker); Sequoia Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Redwood City Woman’s Club (approx. 0.4 miles away); Soledad O. de Arguello (approx. 0.4 miles away); Carrington Hall (approx. 0.4 miles away); Redwood City Arch (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Tradition of Sequoia’s Class Plaques (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Redwood City.

Also see . . . Redwood City California Sesquicentennial Celebration. (Submitted on October 10, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Additional commentary.
1. M5 Tank near the marker
"In 1947, at the request of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, an Army tank was placed in the park as a memorial to those
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, October 8, 2022

3. Redwood City Sesquicentennial Markers
who had served in the two world wars. The 16-ton M5 Stuart light tank was brought to Redwood City aboard a San Mateo County Fire Department truck and trailer. It was presented to the city by the American Legion as a war monument. There were several models of the light tank made by the Cadillac Division of General Motors, and the M5 was armed with a 37mm cannon as well as two machine guns. It was powered by twin 16-cylinder engines and could hit 36 miles per hour with some drivers reporting that it could go over 45 miles per hour. The M5 was outgunned in Europe but was used extensively against the Japanese. According to the American Armoured Foundation, the M5 tank is now quite rare, with only a dozen still existing."

— Submitted October 10, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Nearby Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, October 8, 2022

4. Nearby Plaque

In honor of Dee Eva, Barbara Pierce, RWC Sesquicentennial Celebration, Arbor Day 2017. Bonita Parlor No.10, N.D.G.W.

Mezes Park Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, October 8, 2022

5. Mezes Park Sign

M5 Stuart Light Tank Made By Cadillac image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, October 8, 2022

6. M5 Stuart Light Tank Made By Cadillac

Marker is visible behind the tank, in the background.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 206 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 10, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.