American Agricultural Area (1847-1940)

In 1872, the people of Rancho San Pablo collected money to buy the largest U.S. flag in the state of California - 14 by 22 feet. This flag has been preserved in the collection of the San Pablo Historical Society.

By the 1900s, a small town of San Pablo was firmly established, and a big school was built there to accommodate children from nearby ranches. The prinicpal of this school was Walter Helms, for whom  Helms Junior High is named. In 1914 San Pablo's first library opened with about 100 books. A number of property owners near downtown San Pablo subdivided their farm land for housing tracts during the first decade of the 20th century. Most of the streets laid out at that time are still in use today. 

A number of "speak easys" sold bootleg liquor and provided nightclub entertainment.  Francisco Castro's original home, on the site of today's El Cerrito Center, was turned into a nightclub and speak easy. The Bay Cities Coursing Park, a dog racing track on Church Lane, was a popular local attraction.

Today The last remnant of this bucolic agricultural era is the Blume House museum. This home was built by German immigrants in 1905. It is fully furnished as most farm houses of the era. One of the outbuildings - the Bunk House - was also preserved and showcases farm equipment. The buildings are open to the public every Sunday and admission is free.