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One of the features of Emerald Hills is off California Way overlooking Redwood City and the rest of the peninsula—a tall Easter Cross.
This section of Redwood City was originally developed as a relaxing getaway for affluent San Franciscans who needed a respite from hectic big city life.
In 1926, a Methodist group erected a wooden cross, which lasted three years. A second cross built in 1929 made of steel was 82 feet tall and stood until 1960 when erosion and vandalism made it necessary for it to be replaced. A third cross made of concrete was built in 1962, and it remains today.
While the current cross is visible from some of the Peninsula, what is virtually invisible and hardly known is a naturally formed amphitheatre, nicknamed ‘Easter Bowl,’ which is just adjacent to the cross.
Originally the cross was lit so Peninsula residents could see it at night. During WWll, the lights went out for security purposes. The first post-war services were held in the ‘Easter Bowl’ in 1946, with 2,000 in attendance.
For many years thousands of the faithful attended Easter sunrise services at the foot of the cross. In the 1980s, the City became concerned about mixing church and state issues, so the services were halted, and the property was sold, so it’s no longer public. The once distinctive amphitheatre has become more natural in appearance.
Today at the base of the cross, there’s fencing, a water tank and several antennas. Public access is forbidden.
However, as has been the case for almost 100 years, the Easter Cross remains an iconic symbol of the faithful as it overlooks Redwood City and much of the Bay Area.
Everything else is just history.
Some of the photos used in this blog are courtesy of the Local History Room, Redwood City's best-kept secret. The Local History Collection covers all aspects of Redwood City's development, from the 1850s to the present day, with particular emphasis on businesses, public schools, civic organizations, city agencies, and early family histories. The Local History Room is not affiliated with the Redwood City Public Library, but it is inside it.
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