Flowers were big business

Flower nurseries came as a by-product of the gardens. Commercial flower growing is a relatively recent industry in the United States. It has only been since the early 19th century that cut flowers came from any place but one's own garden. The earliest nurseries here date back to at least the 1870s. Sherwood Hall Nursery Company was established in 1880 and developed into the largest flower shipping business in the West. By 1893, they changed their name to Sunset Seed and Plant Company. The nursery disappeared by 1903 and the land became the property of Sunset Magazine.

Chrysanthemums developed into a specialty of this area. In 1882, a Japanese fellow began growing them in Oakland at his employer's place from cuttings he had brought from Japan. Gardeners branched out into business, and after the earthquake of 1906, many of the Japanese growers moved to the Peninsula because of the favorable climate and proximity to the San Francisco market.

The Japanese continued to make advances in the flower industry, expanding their expertise in chrysanthemum growing. The local market became saturated, so they expanded into long distance shipping to out-of-state markets. In the process, they also developed improved varieties of "mums" and advanced growing techniques. In the 1930s, "mums" were the biggest local crop. The large pom pom varieties became traditional corsages worn by football fans at college games. Chrysanthemums were not the only flower crop, however, although Redwood City had become the "Chrysanthemum Center of the World."

Edward Wakeman McLellan won prizes at the annual San Mateo County Flower Show. His hobby grew, and he moved his business to Burlingame in 1896 and called it the Burlingame Flower Salon. He specialized in roses, carnations and chrysanthemums. In 1927, the business moved to South San Francisco, specializing in orchids. McLellan also developed improved techniques for raising gardenias.

In the early part of the 20th century, I. Takahashi started the strawflower industry. He was a former professor of horticulture at the University of Tokyo. He introduced the dehydration chamber and the technique of inserting wire in the stems. Strawflowers were grown along the coast, especially in Montara and Pescadero. Originally, flower growers sold their products directly to consumers from their trucks. Then florist shops appeared, providing retail markets that were supplied by the flower growers. In time, however, as the techniques for producing flowers grew more complex, farmers needed to concentrate their attention on growing the product. A trading center was needed, and the wholesale distribution system was developed.

The flower industry is not as dominant in the county as it one was, but it definitely still exists.

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.