San Mateo County

Native Americans have lived in the San Francisco Bay area for over 10,000 years. Rather than a single nation, they lived in many independent tribes and spoke different languages. The various tribes are generally referred to as one group called the Ohlone or Costanoan. In 1769, Spain expanded their territory north of Mexico and established military garrisons (Presidios), Franciscan missions (Missions), and civil settlements (Pueblos). They reached the San Francisco Bay area in 1776. In 1821, Mexico was declared an independent state. In 1846, the United States took possession of Northern California during the Mexican-American war and established a military territory. California was admitted to the United States on September 9, 1850.

San Mateo County was authorized with the San Francisco “Consolidation Act”, signed on 19 April 1856 and went into effect on 1 July 1856, from the southern portion of San Francisco County. The County annexed a portion of northern Santa Cruz County in March 1868. The county seat is Redwood City.

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