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

Old San Mateo County Courthouse

The Path of History

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 2, 2013

1. Old San Mateo County Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Simon M. Mezes, owner of the land that now includes most of Downtown Redwood City, donated a block to the newly-formed San Mateo County in 1858 so that a courthouse could be built. There were eventually four courthouses built on this property. Couthouse No. 2 photo above left, was completed in 1883, In 1903, the architectural firm of Dodge and Dolliver designed Courthouse No. 3, which was ready for occupancy when the 1906 earthquake demolished all but the dome rotunda. This building was reconstructed between 1906-1910, middle photo, becoming Courthouse number 4.

The original entrance facade was demolished in 1939, and a Moderne Style addition was built, directly attached to the front of the building (pictured above, right), using funds from the Public Works Administration. The north facade received a new addition in 1941. The wooden flagpole, pictured in the 1915 photo above, was removed and now stands in front of the current City Hall at 1017 Middlefield Road. In 2005, the 1939 addition was demolished and the entrance facade was reconstructed to its original appearance. The “Old” San Mateo County Courthouse, now San Mateo County Historical Museum, is a significant example of Neo-Classical architecture, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Presented by the Redwood Historic Resources Advisory Committee

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Erected by Redwood Historic Resources Advisory Committee.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Government & Politics • Political Subdivisions. A significant historical year for this entry is 1858.

Location. 37° 29.183′ N, 122° 13.786′ W. Marker is in Redwood City, California, in San Mateo County. It is on Broadway Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2221Broadway 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: Fox Theater (a few steps from this marker); New Sequoia/Fox Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named "Old" San Mateo County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Sequoia Union High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Site of Sequoia High School (within shouting distance of this marker); Lathrop House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lathrop-Connor-Mansfield House (about 400 feet away); California Square (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Redwood City.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 2, 2013

2. Old San Mateo County Courthouse Marker

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

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 2, 2013

3. Old San Mateo County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 14, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 720 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 14, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.