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It’s true! The actual location known as Emerald Lake Hills was originally part of the huge Rancho de las Pulgas owned by the Arguello family. The name “Emerald” is reflective of the deep green color of the lake water.
Horace Hawes, owner of the land on which Sequoia High School rests, used what would become known as “Lower Emerald Lake” for irrigation. In 1885 Moses Hopkins, brother of railroad magnate Mark Hopkins purchased part of the Hawes land, which included the small lake. Hopkins decided to dam the lake in order to increase its capacity.
After the turn of the century, activity started to accelerate.
The Roaring Twenties
A San Francisco businessman named George Irvine wanted to develop the area. He distributed brochures in 1920 where the name Emerald Hills was initially used. Lacking sufficient capital Irvine was bought out by Charles Holt who was the manager of Irvine’s foreclosure. Holt brought in a builder named George Leonard. Together they formed Holt & Leonard Real Estate Mortgage Company.
One of their first projects was to drain the lake and rebuild the dam because the original sewer system had collapsed. Once completed, they began an aggressive campaign to attract wealthy San Franciscans who had a desire to escape big city life. Many of them purchased property.
In 1926 twenty of the landowners formed the Emerald Lake Country Club and purchased the lake in an effort to increase the value of their property.
Lake #2
This left Holt and Leonard without a lake. So what did they do? They decided to build another lake, which became known as “Emerald Lake 2,” or “Upper Emerald Lake.”
By damming another creek, the new lake was completed in 1927, which included a beach, water slide, diving platforms and a playground with top-notch equipment. A golf course was added as well.
Things took a decidedly bad turn when the stock market crashed in 1929. After WWll the development shifted from resort to residential neighborhood. Eventually, the Emerald Hills Homeowners Association was formed.
While out of towners may no longer view Emerald Hills as a ‘destination, it’s likely the majority of residents feel it’s a destination they’re glad to have settled in.
Residents of the community have always thought of it as unique from Redwood City per se. Hence, in 1998 they voted to have the name of Emerald Hills officially recognized. Its population is 4,721.
An interesting tidbit- Silver Hill Road (off Farm Hill Blvd) got its name from a small amount of mercury discovered in 1955 on the property of Andy Oddstad.
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 emphases 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.
