AgdaPkt 2016-09-12 Closed and Joint SA PFA

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City. The San Mateo County Courthouse's dome, built in 1904, is of steel frame construction, and the Forester's Lodge may have been erected shortly thereafter in 1913. The building's frank expression of its internal structure on the exterior was progressive for the period. The Redwood City chapter of the Foresters of America was founded in September 1897; it was called Court Madrone No. 158. They didn't have a permanent home until they built the "American Foresters Hall" in 1913. In May 1909 they approved the building plans presented by local Redwood City architect LeBaron Olive. Local builders Donnelly and Waller submitted the winning bid of $12,564. Initial construction began June 12, 1913. Not only did the new two-story building accommodate the Foresters growing membership, it was designed to serve the entire town as a social, fraternal, and civic center for many groups. The second floor was specifically designed as a meeting place for fraternal lodges and "secret" societies. The large entry doors had their "peep" holes for monitoring those who sought admittance into the main meeting chamber. With the successes of the dances, dinners, card parties, and other events, the Hall became the social and civic center of the County seat. Schools also used the hall for their events. Sequoia High School held proms here during the teens and 20s. During World War I, the Foresters opened up the hall to the soldiers from Camp Fremont, which was located in Menlo Park. Home-style dinners, dances, and other social activities were held for the boys who were bussed in from Menlo Park. Not only did this help the soldiers' morale, it helped the communities as it provided a "USO" type environment. Many community traditions began at Foresters Hall, such as the Annual Thanksgiving Masquerade Ball. During the Depression years of the 1930s many benefits were needed and the hall's kitchens were always busy. During the Big Band Years of the late 1930s and 40s, traveling bands played in the hall and the dance floor jumped. It was the most popular place in town for the young and for teenagers, as well as for their parents. Starting in the late 1950s and continuing on into the 1960s, the community use of the Foresters Hall began to decline. Sources: •Interview John Clarkin, Secretary of Foresters •Minutes of Foresters of America Lodge Meetings •Richard Schellens Local History Collection at the Redwood City Public Library Page 59 7.B. - Page 70