When driving along El Camino Real these days through the city of San Carlos, one will notice the tremendous activity at the building of the Transit Village. This is a large development north and south of the train station and in the space between El Camino Real and the railroad tracks. The general plan for the Transit Village provides for a fountain in front of the station at the foot of San Carlos Avenue as it crosses the business area. That fountain is a possible link to history were it to be given a nautical theme recalling the ships of the 18th century.
That link is Aug. 5, 1775, when the fog that had hidden the Golden Gate Bridge for two centuries pulled back enough for a little Spanish ship to be able, with considerable difficulty, to be the first European ship to enter San Francisco Bay. The name of that ship: The San Carlos.
It would seem most appropriate to confirm that link between the history of the 18th century and today’s modern city, San Carlos: the name. It would make the proposed fountain a commemoration of the origin of the name of the city and give us another tie to the rich Hispanic culture, one of the foundations of our state.
The ship was indeed Spanish but the person it was named for was Italian. San (St.) Carlos was an Archbishop of Milan. So maybe Italian influences should be remembered also - perhaps that explains all of the Italian restaurants we see on Laurel St.[smile]
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The ship was indeed Spanish but the person it was named for was Italian. San (St.) Carlos was an Archbishop of Milan. So maybe Italian influences should be remembered also - perhaps that explains all of the Italian restaurants we see on Laurel St.[smile]
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.