1896 Map of San Mateo

About this map

The northern San Francisco Peninsula in the 1890s is characterized by a landscape of steep coastal ridges and the emerging infrastructure of the South Bay. Large tracts of land are dedicated to the Cemeteries at Colma, while to the south, the Southern Pacific R. R. and the Monterey Line facilitate the growth of early settlements like Millbrae and San Mateo. The map illustrates the critical water management systems of the era, notably the series of reservoirs including San Andreas Lake and Crystal Springs Lake, held by the Crystal Springs Dam. Coastal features such as Devils Slide and Montara Pt. remain largely undeveloped, with a lone Fog Whistle marking the maritime hazards of the Pacific. Local institutions, including the Industrial School and the San Mateo Co. Alms House, reflect the social geography of the late 19th-century county.