Menlo Park history

Saga of early Menlo Park farmer (yes!) and his Stanford Dairy – and why there is a jog in Avy Avenue

John Murray and his wife Mary were both Irish immigrants who came to New York City in 1848 or ’49 and met and married there.

by Jesse Arnold
on May 23, 2019

When a dairy farm existed in Menlo Park close to where Avy is today

Editor's note: With the new year, we'll be looking at some of the historical roots of Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside and Portola Valley. This post

by Jesse Arnold
on January 4, 2019

Menlo Park through the decades is subject of new book packed with photos

Some things stay the same: Lutticken's and Country Corner are in their familiar places along the Alameda. Ann's Coffee Shop and Flegel's can still be found on

by Linda Hubbard
on September 29, 2015

Then and now: El Camino Real moves west in Menlo Park

The photo above showing the western side of El Camino Real between Santa Cruz and Oak Grove avenues in Menlo Park dates from about 1937.

by Jym Clendenin
on April 11, 2013

Then and now: The changing face of downtown Menlo Park

You can’t deny that there has been a dramatic change in the appearance of downtown Menlo Park over the past 65 years. The black and

by Jym Clendenin
on April 4, 2013

Then and now: Self-service car wash once site of Menlo Park Hotel

After the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad was completed in 1863, Menlo Park became a popular destination for vacationers. To accommodate these and other

by Jym Clendenin
on March 22, 2013

What’s the story behind the cement artichokes in downtown Menlo Park?

When walking west from Menlo Park Presbyterian Church on Santa Cruz Avenue, you might wonder about a string of six giant artichokes sitting atop gate

by Jym Clendenin
on August 11, 2012

Hunting down the long gone Searles Fine Food on Santa Cruz Avenue in downtown Menlo Park

Where Harvest Furniture is now (639 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park) was once Searles Fine Foods. Frequent InMenlo contributor Jym Clenandin, who is also

by Linda Hubbard
on July 5, 2012

Under Menlo: The Pope Street Bridge

After Leland Stanford Jr. died in 1884, the Stanfords decided to build a university in his honor, the corner stone of which was laid in

by Jym Clendenin
on April 5, 2011