Hillsborough: A collection of country cottages

Newlands was the son-in-law of Senator William Sharon, and Sharon left a large share of his estate to Newlands, including some Peninsula property. Newlands arranged for architect A Paige Brown to design six country cottages on his land as summer homes for San Francisco's rich. Stables, tennis courts, croquet grounds and elegant landscaping added to the core of what was to be a planned community along the lines of Chevy Chase.

Enthusiasm for the suburb did not develop as Newlands had expected, so he decided to use the country club as an attraction to the place. He invited a core of sportsmen down to his property and proposed the formation of a country club. The idea was well received and the club was born. The selection of charter members of means and ability guaranteed the success of the endeavor. As the Burlingame Country Club developed, it severed its relationship with the Sharon family. The attraction of the club did create interest in Newland's real estate, which had been his aim all along.

With the growth of this enclave of exclusive summer homes, a supporting village of businesses and workers also appeared around the Burlingame train station. In 1906, the earthquake and then the fire in San Francisco caused a stream of ordinary people to migrate down the Peninsula. Burlingame grew, causing some unease among the landed elite.

Hillsborough became a town on May 5, 1910. The intent of incorporation was to assure the continuation of the country atmosphere desired by the residents.

Therefore the original city charter had restrictions against sidewalks, streetlights, apartments and any business enterprise. Restrictions on lot size and architecture guaranteed that only those of means could live there. Police officers were to be over six feet tall and handsome, with uniforms and helmets designed by a fashion consultant.

Over the years this exclusivity has had some curious results. In 1917, Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company installed a telephone exchange at 1600 Floribunda to serve Hillsborough and the surrounding area. Since business was prohibited, the building was designated as a Burlingame address. When PT&T relocated the exchange to Burlingame Avenue in 1926, the address was returned to Hillsborough and the building remodeled as to serve as the Town Hall.

In 1965 the Archbishop of Canterbury was visiting from England to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. While walking through Hillsborough, the Archbishop was stopped by local police and asked for identification. Having none with him, the Archbishop was taken to the police station until the matter could be cleared up.

In June of 1986, Hillsborough celebrated its 75th anniversary by placing a plaque and a time capsule at the site of the first Town Hall. Hillsborough itself is something of a time capsule.

Rediscovering the Peninsula appears in the Monday edition of the Daily Journal. For more information on this or related topics, visit the San Mateo County History Museum, 777 Hamilton St., Redwood City.