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8.B. - Page 19 <br /> WELLESLEY PARK <br /> HALS NO. CA-44 <br /> PAGE 4 <br /> relatively simple architectural detailing that associates the homes with their <br /> stylistic influences. Nonetheless, by 1924, which would have been an active year <br /> in the development of Wellesley Park, seven people and/or families listed in The <br /> San Francisco Blue Book and Club Directory lived in Wellesley Park or <br /> Wellesley Crescent, of the total 46 people in Redwood City listed in the Book. <br /> The third wave of development in the subdivision consisted of the mid-century <br /> Minimal Traditional and Ranch Style homes within the Park. This era represents, <br /> for the most part, the build-out of the subdivision. <br /> Development of the Subdivision <br /> Wellesley Park was laid out in 1888 in the new Picturesque style of landscape <br /> design by Daniel O'Connell and William Brown, a landscape gardener. William <br /> Brown, who lived in Redwood City, laid out the roads and planting beds, planning <br /> street trees and other vegetation. Daniel O'Connell is also credited as a designer <br /> of the subdivision, although he was a journalist and writer by trade. It is clear <br /> however that he was the project's chief promoter, as he retained the title of <br /> "Promotions Manager." <br /> The Wellesley Land and Improvement Company was formed with 31 <br /> shareholders. Groundbreaking for Wellesley Park occurred in 1888 and was <br /> recorded in Redwood City's Times and Gazette on September 18th: "On last <br /> Monday, Admission Day, the Wellesley Park Company laid the corner stone of <br /> the massive gateway which is being constructed at the entrance to the park, and <br /> guests of the Company from San Francisco and Redwood City to the number of <br /> about 100, assembled in view of the ceremonies. The first improvement is to be <br /> the construction of the massive, arched gateway of granite, the corner stone of <br /> which was laid last Monday. This is 84 feet wide, finished with iron trimmings, <br /> and mounted above the center of the arch is the bronze figure of a deer" (Cloud, <br /> 1997:6). <br /> The article went on to describe the features of the monument and the contents of <br /> the time capsule with it, which included a list of the officers of the organization. <br /> An article in the Times and Gazette on October 13, 1888 announced that one of <br /> the first property owners in the new subdivision had plans to build "an elegant <br /> stone residence with a slate roof, the cost of which will run well into the <br /> thousands." <br /> By early 1889 it was announced that streets were being graded, ornamental trees <br /> planted, and work had begun on the lodge at the main entrance. The lodge was to <br />