Destination San Anselmo

2015 | 16 Destination San Anselmo 17 San Anselmo Past & Present 1876 First school opens on Butterfield Road. 1883 Railroad station renamed San Anselmo after the Punta de Quintin land grant. Railroad officials, eager to see towns and passengers along its line, encourage real-estate activity. 1892 San Francisco Theological Seminary moves to San Anselmo, and town growth takes off. San Anselmo post office established. First homes receive electricity. 1903 First homes receive telephone service. Electric-rail service starts between Sausalito and San Rafael via San Anselmo. 1906 People flee from San Francisco earthquake and stay. Summertime visitors build permanent homes, businesses open, and trees are planted. n e railroad advertised homesites in its stations and ferryboat cabins and ran 25-cent round trip excursions to groups of potential buyers. n In 1902, the narrow-gauge and steam trains had seen better days, and the tracks were converted to broad-gauge and electrified. Trains and ferries whisked riders to San Francisco in 58 minutes, including the 32 minute ferry ride! n Reliable electric trains and the 1906 earthquake spurred development in San Anselmo. In the wake of the quake, new subdivision maps were drawn and a real estate row formed across from the railroad depot. n In 1907, the railroad was consolidated with other lines and reborn as the Northwestern Pacific Railroad. San Anselmo maintained its prominence as a major junction on the system with trains coupling and uncoupling at the Hub. n In addition to the depot opposite Bank Street, there were stations (covered shelters) at Lansdale, Yolanda, and Bolinas Avenue. n A "School Special" carried Ross Valley students to Mill Valley's Tamalpais High School. n Highway development and the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge brought an end to the train service in 1941. e San Anselmo Depot was converted immediately into a Greyhound bus station. To many San Anselmo residents, abandoning the railroad meant more than changing modes of transportation, it meant the end of a way of life. Source: San Anselmo Historical Museum Did You Know? n Daniel Showalter killed fellow state legislator Charles Piercy in California's last politically motivated duel at Lansdale in 1861. n San Anselmo Creek changed its course during a winter storm in the last 1860s carving the present channel through the downtown area. n San Anselmo's first post office, built in 1892, was said to be the smallest in the state, measuring only seven feet by seven feet. No one but the postmaster was allowed in, so people had to stand outside— whatever the weather. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 Photo by San Anselmo Historical Museum. In 1892 the San Francisco Theological Seminary moved to San Anselmo. Photo by Stuart Lirette.

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