What government test?

In later years, Caroline wrote of her memories of the earthquake. The family was living temporarily in a cottage in back of the County Courthouse. She said the Doxsee children thought it was the end of the world, as they had never experienced anything like it in Iowa. The prized cut glass and china that had been wedding gifts to their parents were broken in pieces on the kitchen floor. She wrote of the ruins they saw in the "downtown” area.

She told of the aftermath, when San Francisco families came down the Old County Road to escape the city. They used carts and baby buggies to carry the few possessions they had salvaged. Lucky ones had horses and carriages. Local women gave them coffee and sandwiches as they passed through. Caroline later married Clifton Woodhams who was also associated with her father’s title insurance company.

By 1908 the family had moved to 79 Claremont Ave., where the parents remained until their deaths. Anna Margaret, who also worked at the title company, lived there until her death in 1973. Wilbur graduated from Sequoia High School in 1908 and went on to graduate from Stanford University. He received his bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential, after which he taught at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco. He served in World War I in the 316th Engineers, and was in charge of building the engineers’ school in France. After that he worked in the City Engineer’s Office and then returned to teaching. He followed his father into the family business in 1920. It eventually became known as the San Mateo County Title Company and Wilbur served as president for five years.

In 1925, the Redwood City Chamber of Commerce and the Real Estate Board sponsored a contest for a slogan to represent and publicize the city’s finest qualities. Boosterism was at its zenith during this era. Wilbur Doxsee submitted the winning slogan, originally worded, "By Government Test, Our Climate is Best.” It was later edited to the shorter version. Wilbur was awarded the $10 prize. So what was this government test?

According to Mr. Doxsee’s recollection, his idea was based on an article he had read some time before in the San Francisco Chronicle. He said it indicated that Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany conducted a climatic survey. The results showed that three places in the world have the most moderate climates. They included the Canary Islands, a point on the Mediterranean Coast of Africa and the 20-mile radius around Redwood City, Calif. Other versions of the story indicate it was a joint American-German survey done prior to World War I.

When Wilbur Doxsee died in 1967, his obituary highlighted this contribution to Redwood City lore in addition to his considerable other activities and accomplishments. His slogan is still used and adorns the Redwood City Arch.

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, 2200 Broadway, Redwood City.