East Palo Alto: Digging In [conclusion]

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In 1929, the Koff Realty Co. encountered difficulties, and the Palo Alto Park Mutual Water Company was turned over to a group of Property owners to direct the Water Company. In 1935, the said Directors, along with 35 local property owners in Palo Alto Park, met with the intent to form a property owners association. At this meeting, a motion was made and carried to name this group the Palo Alto Park Property Owners Association.

The group took an active part in all community affairs going forward. In 1935, they drafted petitions to install more lights in the park. They wanted to install lights along the Bayshore Highway. However, that needed to be approved by the State, which it was. Once this took place, motorists could always tell when they came to Palo Alto Park, as it was the only section of Bayshore at this end of the county with lights.

In 1936, a group of members secured a pipe that was used to install the first street signs. Members did all of the work, installing them on weekends or in their spare time.

The Club was instrumental in securing mail service on more streets. In 1937 and 1938, surveys were conducted for sewer installation. Many of the poplar trees in this area were removed to the Fair at Treasure Island, which was held in 1939. Some of the street names that conflicted with those of Palo Alto were renamed, and homes were renumbered.

Beginning in the 1930s, the flower-growing market became a major part of EPA commerce, run by the large Japanese community here.

When WWII broke out, the Japanese were placed in internment camps, and their properties were expropriated. Similar hardships befell the Japanese community up the road in Redwood City during this time.

Until 1983, East Palo Alto was part of the City of Palo Alto. That year, EPA was incorporated as a separate City. At that time, approximately half of said residents were Black.

After incorporation, major changes took place. Today, Black people comprise roughly 10% of the population. Hispanics make up close to 70%.

The current population is slightly north of 30,000.

EPA also houses a Home Depot and a Four Seasons Hotel, which is on the west side of Highway 101.

Suffice to say, this South Peninsula locale has seen major changes over the years.

Everything else is just history