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

"Old" San Mateo County Courthouse

Photographed by I.G.V.Atajar, November 9, 2009

1. "Old" San Mateo County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. In 1858, Simon M. Mezes donated land to the county so that a courthouse could be built. This is the third courthouse built on this exact site and the forth built in the property. In 1903, the architectural firm of Dodge and Dolliver designed a domed rotunda courthouse. It was completed and ready for occupancy when the 1906 earthquake demolished all but the domed rotunda. The courthouse was reconstructed between 1906 and 1910. The original facade was demolished in 1939 when a Modern style addition was built. In 2005, the 1939 addition was demolished and in 2006 the entrance facade was reconstructed to its original appearance. The "Old" San Mateo County Courthouse is a significant example of Neo-Classical architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Erected 2006 by Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 2.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 37° 29.219′ N,

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122° 13.791′ W. Marker is in Redwood City, California, in San Mateo County. It is on Broadway Street near Hamilton Street. The grounds of the courthouse are located on the city block between Broadway Street, Hamilton Street, Marshall Street and Middlefield Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2200 Broadway 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 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: Lathrop House (within shouting distance of this marker); Lathrop-Connor-Mansfield House (within shouting distance of this marker); California Square (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker

Plaque Mounted to the Right of the Entrance Doors image. Click for full size.

Photographed by I.G.V.Atajar, November 9, 2009

2. Plaque Mounted to the Right of the Entrance Doors

Reconstruction of the main
entrance portico and steps was
completed in 2006, restoring the
facade of this building to its
original 1910 appearance.

"The San Mateo County Courthouse", listed on
The National Register of Historic Places (12.13.1977)
Redwood City Historic Landmark No.2 (4.1.1953)
Redwood City Historic Resources Advisory Commission

also named Old San Mateo County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); New Sequoia/Fox Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Fox Theater (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named California Square (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Former Site of Sequoia High School (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Redwood City.

Also see . . .
1. San Mateo County History Museum. This building now is the home of the San Mateo County History Museum. (Submitted on December 14, 2009.)

2. Old Courthouse Turned Museum Stands Test of Time. An article by Katie Worth, published in the San Francisco Examiner on October 9, 2009. (Submitted on December 14, 2009.)

April 9, 2011

3. "Old" San Mateo County Courthouse Marker

Marker is mounted to the left of the entrance doors.

Marble plaque mounted on the right column at the entrance steps image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 17, 2022

4. Marble plaque mounted on the right column at the entrance steps

San Mateo County
Court House
Erected • MCMVII
Architect
Glenn Allen • San Francisco
Builders
J.J. O’Brien Construction Co. Limited
General Constractors, San Francisco
Rainey & Phillips. Stone Work
San Francisco.
Reproduction of original plaque 2006

Plaque Mounted on the Left Column at the Entrance Steps image. Click for full size.

April 8, 2011

5. Plaque Mounted on the Left Column at the Entrance Steps

San Mateo County
Court House
Supervisors – 1908 J. Eikerenkotter – 1st Township • J. H. Coleman (Chairman) – 2nd • John Mac Bain – 3rd • Jos. Debenedetti – 4th • D.E. Blackburn – 5th • Joseph J. Bullock – District Attorney • Joseph H. Nash – County Clerk
Reproduction of original plaque

"Old" San Mateo County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by I.G.V.Atajar, November 9, 2009

6. "Old" San Mateo County Courthouse

"Old" San Mateo County Courthouse and Plaza image. Click for full size.

April 9, 2011

7. "Old" San Mateo County Courthouse and Plaza

The Courthouse is now the site of the San Mateo County Historical Museum.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 17, 2022

8. "Old" San Mateo County Courthouse Marker

To the right of the west side entrance

Dedication plaque in the plaza near the southeast corner of the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 17, 2022

9. Dedication plaque in the plaza near the southeast corner of the building

The courthouse square was dedicated to the residents of Redwood City and San Mateo County on February 27, 2007. Construction of our city’s “living room” began in 2005 and was made possible through the inspired vision, hard work, and perseverance of city officials, community members, and volunteers.
City Council 2005
Jeff Ira, Mayor • Barbara Pierce, Vice Mayor • Alicia C. Aguirre • Ian Bain • Rosanne Foust • Jim Hartnett • Diane Howard
City Council 2007
Barbara Pierce, Mayor • Rosanne Foust, Vice Mayor • Alicia C. Aguirre • Ian Bain • Jim Hartnett • Diane Howard • Jeff Ira
City Manager
Ed Everett
Community Development Director
Joel Patterson, April 2005 – June 2006
Peter Ingram, July 2006 – February 2007
Contractor
DPR Construction, Inc.
Architect
Freedman, Tung + Bottomley

The Middlefield Road Entrance to the "Old" Courthouse image. Click for full size.

April 9, 2011

10. The Middlefield Road Entrance to the "Old" Courthouse

The Dome Architectural Detail image. Click for full size.

April 9, 2011

11. The Dome Architectural Detail

Courthouse Showing Damage From the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake image. Click for full size.

National Archives and Records Administration, circa 1906

12. Courthouse Showing Damage From the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

Downtown Redwood City image. Click for full size.

13. Downtown Redwood City

A parade on Hamilton Street in the early 1900's (looking north).
The Courthouse is seen on the right.
Editors Note: It is noted that this actually is Broadway Street, looking north

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2009, by I.G.V.Atajar of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 3,062 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on July 4, 2010, by John Oconnor of Georgetown, Calif. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 14, 2009, by I.G.V.Atajar of San Jose, California. 3. submitted on April 11, 2011. 4. submitted on July 20, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 5. submitted on April 11, 2011. 6. submitted on December 14, 2009, by I.G.V.Atajar of San Jose, California. 7. submitted on April 11, 2011. 8, 9. submitted on July 20, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 10, 11. submitted on April 11, 2011. 12, 13. submitted on December 14, 2009. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.