Menlo Park Historical Association
Preserving and sharing the history of our city
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Religious Row Walking Tour
This walking tour is a fascinating journey through the history of Menlo Park and the San Francisco peninsula. Exploring the lives and legacies of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens of the 19th century offers a unique perspective on how their fortunes and actions helped shape the contemporary suburban town of Menlo Park. As you walk through the area, you'll gain insights into the transformation from opulent estates to the modern suburban layout, understanding the impact of wealth, personal success, and even the follies of these influential figures.
Victorian Architecture Walking Tour in Downtown Menlo Park
This 60-90 minute, 1.5 mile walking tour features some of the oldest Victorian style homes in downtown Menlo Park. We will introduce you to some of the people and families who built, and lived in these beautifully crafted homes. We will cover history and architecture topics at each stop.
Who is Onetta Harris?
Many people may recognize the name, Onetta Harris, but how many understand the very important role she played in Menlo Park’s evolution?
Exhibits
Harold Schapelhouman Oral History
Menlo Park Fire District Chief Harold Schapelhouman recounts his evolution from a rigorous, traditional firefighting career to becoming an innovative leader in disaster preparedness and urban search and rescue through resourcefulness, collaboration, and modernized emergency protocols.
The Untold Story of Round Table Pizza
How a restless Navy veteran and his no-nonsense wife built a pizza empire from scratch—literally—and turned a tiny parlor into a community icon.
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A History of the Menlo Park Train Station
It takes some looking around, but Menlo Park has quite a few buildings dating back before the 1900s.
Support our Community
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More Information
History of Menlo Park
Menlo Park received its official name in 1854 when two Irishmen, Dennis J. Oliver and D. C. McGlynn, purchased 1,700 acres (some sources say it was 640 acres) bordering County Road, now El Camino Real, and built two houses with a common entrance.
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About Us
MPHA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made up entirely of volunteers. We were established in 1971 as an offshoot of the Friends of the Library.
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Archives
Check out our many online resources including our quarterly newsletter The Gate Post, online exhibits, the vintage photo archive, and links to other great websites that showcase the history of Menlo Park.
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