A History of Home Ownership in San Carlos, CA

A History of Home Ownership in San Carlos, CA

San Carlos has an interesting history shaped by the people who called it home. From Spanish missionaries and Native Americans in the 1700s, to tech executives and modern families today, the story of this town is one of ambition, adaptability, and community. The homes they lived in per era tell their story:

 

1700s: Spanish Missionaries and Native Americans

The first known inhabitants of San Carlos were the Ohlone Indians, who lived peaceful, self-sufficient lives, relying on the bay and ocean for food and using tule reeds to construct their homes and canoes. However, their way of life was tragically altered when Spanish settlers arrived in the late 1700s, the first of which were missionaries.

 

 

The missionaries oversaw the construction of adobe homes, built by Native American laborers from sun-dried mud bricks. These structures, with thick walls and small windows, were designed for practicality—cooling interiors during hot summers and insulating against winter chills. These homes reflected the utilitarian ethos of the mission system, prioritizing function over form, yet they carried a subdued elegance. Built to house missionaries, Native laborers, and their families, adobe homes were clustered near agricultural fields, emphasizing community and self-sufficiency.

In San Carlos, the last known adobe building was found in Burton Park, previously demolished to make way for the San Carlos Youth Center.

 

1800s: Rancheros and Gold Rush Settlers

In the 1800s, San Carlos was part of Rancho de las Pulgas, a vast Mexican land grant awarded to Don José Darío Argüello. The rancheros lived in sprawling ranch-style haciendas, featuring low-slung adobe structures, wide verandas, and red clay tile roofs. These homes were designed for large families and for entertaining large groups.

 

 

Later on, during the 18th century Industrial Revolution, Victorian homes became particularly popular. These homes are known for their elaborate designs, asymmetrical facades, steeply pitched roofs, bay windows, and vibrant paint colors. Victorian architecture in San Carlos can be seen in the famous the Nathaniel Brittan Party House, built in 1872.

 

 

After the Gold Rush, working-class farmers and homesteaders arrived in San Carlos. They built modest wooden farmhouses, often constructed by the settlers themselves or local carpenters. These homes, simple and practical, were designed to house growing families and support agricultural work. Their straightforward designs mirrored the settlers’ hard-working, no-frills lifestyle. Nicholas Smith’s Pagoda House on 300 Chestnut Street, is a private retreat that was built for the old Hudson River Steam Boat Captain in the mid 1800’s.

At present, you will find some of the oldest architectural styles in Cordes – the oldest neighborhood in San Carlos and the area where settlers first built homes in the 1800s. The city’s oldest home, the Arguello Adobe, is believed to have stood at the present day intersection of Cedar and Magnolia Street until it was demolished in 1854.

 

Early 1900s: The Rise of the Middle Class

By the early 20th century, San Carlos began transforming into a desirable suburban enclave for middle-class families. Craftsmen and skilled workers were among the first settlers of the area, which was officially incorporated as the City of San Carlos on July 8, 1925. The American bungalow, a one-story house with large overhangs and a dominating roof, originated in California in the 1890s and gained widespread popularity throughout the country in 1900s.

Bungalows were built for the working people, a class that rose out of the Industrial Revolution. Craftsman bungalows, known for their exposed beams, wide porches, and handcrafted details, was the predominant type of bungalow. Bungalow homes are scattered all over San Carlos in different neighborhoods; but more predominantly around El Sereno and Howard Park, the flats of San Carlos.

Also in the early 1900s, kit homes revolutionized affordable housing by providing pre-cut materials shipped via rail. Sears, Roebuck and Co., the most popular brand, sold these homes through mail-order catalogs from 1908 to 1942. The kits included everything needed—lumber, roofing, wiring, plumbing, windows, and doors—and could be assembled in just a few days by anyone with basic carpentry skills. Designed for young families, these homes made homeownership accessible and often turned construction into a family or community project.

 

1920s-1940s: Aspiration and Whimsy, and the Great Depression

The 1920s brought a wave of affluent professionals and creative families to San Carlos. Developers catered to their aspirations with Spanish Revival homes (or Mediterranean-style homes), characterized by stucco facades, arched doorways, and tile roofs, built by local craftsmen and contractors. These homes, designed for elegance and comfort, attracted business owners and professionals eager to showcase their success. At present, these homes can usually be found scattered in the neighborhoods of Alder Manor, El Sereno, and Howard Park.

 

 

Simultaneously, whimsical Storybook-style homes emerged, with steeply pitched roofs and fairy-tale details. Artists, writers, and families drawn to their charm filled these neighborhoods, adding a layer of creativity and vibrancy to the community.

 

 

During the 1930s recession, El Sereno Corte / White Oaks was considered the “poor” section of San Carlos. To make homes more affordable, developers subdivided lots, resulting in many parcels being no larger than 5,000 square feet. The Great Depression significantly impacted housing development as economic hardships led to a slowdown in new construction, with builders adopting cost-saving measures such as smaller lot sizes and simpler architectural designs.

Frank Lloyd Wright, considered by many as the greatest architect of the 20th century, developed Usonian homes in the 1930s to promote affordable, modern housing for middle-class families. His architecture design featured flat roofs, modular construction, and energy efficiency. Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture—designing buildings in harmony with their environment—left a lasting legacy, shaping not only mid-century modern homes but also broader trends in suburban and residential design throughout the 20th century.

 

1940s-1960s: War Dogs, Veterans, and Modern Dreamers

World War II left an indelible mark on San Carlos. The town hosted a war dog training camp, bringing a military presence to the area. Following the war, the cinder block homes built during this period housed returning veterans and their families. Programs like the GI Bill provided financial support for veterans to purchase homes, which all the more encouraged rapid housing development. These homes, constructed quickly and affordably by construction companies responding to the post-war housing boom, were durable and functional, embodying the era’s emphasis on efficiency. Cinder block homes are unique to the neighborhood of Clearfield Park.

 

 

1970s-1990s: The Silicon Valley Boom

As Silicon Valley grew, tech professionals and entrepreneurs flocked to San Carlos, drawn by its proximity to major tech hubs. The influx of wealth transformed the housing landscape. Builders created custom Contemporary homes in the hills, designed to maximize views and incorporate modern aesthetics like geometric shapes and expansive glass windows. These kinds of homes can be seen at hilltop neighborhoods such as Alder Manor and Beverly Terrace.

Older homes were renovated to reflect the cosmopolitan tastes of their new residents, who sought open-concept layouts and high-end finishes. These updates blended modern luxury with the original charm of San Carlos’ earlier homes.

 

 

2000s-Present: Tech Executives, Entrepreneurs, and Modern Families

Today, San Carlos attracts tech executives, entrepreneurs, and families who value luxury, sustainability, and community. Developers like Thomas James Homes have modernized older neighborhoods, replacing aging properties with sleek, energy-efficient homes. These rebuilds cater to buyers seeking contemporary designs, open-concept living spaces, smart home technology, and eco-friendly features.

The people of today’s San Carlos embrace modern living while cherishing the city’s rich history. Families enjoy thoughtfully updated historic homes alongside innovative new builds, creating a community that blends the past and the future seamlessly.

 

 

Ending Note

San Carlos is more than a suburb—it’s a reflection of its people and their evolving dreams. From adobe missions to modern rebuilds, the homes here tell a story of ambition, resilience, and a commitment to “good living.”