Evergreen Park in Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Crossroads of Mayfield

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 20, 2015

1. The Crossroads of Mayfield Marker

Click on photo to view historical photos displayed on marker.

Inscription. Long before Stanford University and the City of Palo Alto existed, this area of the Mexican land grant, Rancho Rincon de San Francisquito Creek was a crossroads of travel and commerce. In the 1850's, it would take Juana Briones three days to travel in a wooden cart from here to San Francisco to deliver cattle hides. In the dry season, the route was through the flat lands (roughly following the current El Camino Real), but in the rainy season, creek crossings higher in the foothills were used. On early maps, El Camino Real was called "County Road" and then "State Highway" until about 1926.

In 1856, Jesus Ramos farmed the land across Page Mill Road from these playing fields. By 1866, William Page had timber acreage and a sawmill near the present Portola Redwoods State Park. Wagons brought freshly sawn lumber down Page Mill Road to his lumber business in Mayfield."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 37° 25.406′ N, 122° 8.582′ W. Marker is in Palo Alto, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Evergreen Park. Marker is on El Camino Real (State Highway 82), on the right when traveling south. Marker is located at the parking lot of the Stanford – Palo

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Alto Community Playing Fields located at the corner of Page Mill Road and El Camino Real. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2634 El Camino Real, Palo Alto CA 94306, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Play Ball! (here, next to this marker); Town and Gown (within shouting distance of this marker); Mayfield School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Uncle Jim’s Cabin (approx. 0.2 miles away); Herring Box School (approx. ¼ mile away); a different marker also named Herring Box School (approx. ¼ mile away); Homesite of Sarah Wallis (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Gordon Hampton Oak (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palo Alto.

Also see . . .
1. The Meeting on the Corner: The Beginning of Mayfield's End. Plagued by money problems, bad roads and little leadership, a group of residents began an effort in 1918 for Mayfield to be annexed by Palo Alto. (Submitted on November 23, 2015.)

2. How is the Historical City Mayfield Related to Palo Alto?. Mayfield is the reason Palo Alto has two downtown centers, California and University. The story of Palo Alto is intertwined with Mayfield. So much so, that Mayfield is the reason Palo Alto exists. (Submitted on November 23, 2015.)

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 20, 2015

2. The Crossroads of Mayfield Marker

Three Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, November 20, 2015

3. Three Markers

This marker is seen in the background. The Mayfield School marker is seen in the center and the Town and Gown marker is seen in the foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2015, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 484 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 23, 2015, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.