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Originally known as Rancho San Benito, the town began to take shape in the 1840s. It was one of the first to develop in San Mateo County. The name was changed to Spanishtown and remained as such until 1874 when Half Moon Bay officially became its name.
Its primary industry was fishing.
The demographics were diverse: Canadians, Chinese, English, Scots, Italians, Pacific Islanders, Germans, Irish, Mexicans and more.
The community was fairly isolated from most of the Peninsula until regular stagecoach service was established with San Mateo.
Still, community growth was sluggish. Town folks thought growth would pick up when the Ocean Shore Railroad was established in 1907. However, it did very little to spur community growth.
In 1914, the construction of San Pedro Road provided more accessible access to San Francisco. The downside of establishing said access was the demise of the Ocean Shore Railroad, which ended up shutting down in 1920.
During Prohibition, Half Moon Bay became a favorite spot for ‘rum runners,” as heavy fog produced excellent ‘cover’ for offloading illegal alcohol. Some distribution locations became established hangouts, such as Moss Beach Distillery, which remains a popular spot today.
Half Moon Bay also became a hub for the floral industry after Redwood City’s greenhouses went by the wayside in favor of residential development. However, the floral industry also ended up suffering as well.
Real growth occurred after World War II as subdivisions sprang up, eventually leading to official incorporation in 1959.
The name Spanishtown still lingers in the form of a group of shops along Highway 92 just east of town, which includes numerous dinosaur statues, as well as a restaurant with said namesake located downtown.
Today, the city has become a weekend destination for many local Peninsula residents who want to enjoy a day on the coast and stroll the local shops.
Everything else is just history
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.
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