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COLMA, HALF MOON BAY, SAN FRANCISCO, CROCKETT and SANTA ROSA  In the above c1927 photo you can see the COLMA welcome sign that hung over Mission Street in Colma for several years during the 1920s and 1930s. The date it was installed is not known, but it was reportedly removed before the street was widened for a second time in 1935. Caltrans photo.  Another victim of road widening no doubt, was this welcome arch that spanned Main Street (then Highway 1) at the northern entrance to Half Moon Bay. Accurate dates relating to its construction and eventual removal are unknown, but it is known to have been in place duting the `20s ans `30s. San Mateo County Library photo  During the early 1940s, the above arch was erected over Pacific Avenue at Kearny Street and an identical arch was erected a block away at Montgomery Street. Pacific Avenue was notorious as the "Barbary Coast" and it was hoped that by renaming the block-long section of the street, the "International Settlement," its former unsavory reputation might disappear. Unfortunately, the opposite happened. The area became more popular than ever and it brough in a whole new set of sleezy businesses. Spelled out on both sides of each arch were the words INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENT in black on white letters, outlined in red neon. The eleven flags that flew from the top of the arches were removed in 1945, but the arches remained awhile longer. One or more of the steel pillars that supported the arches still remain. Teich Postcard Archives photo.  Above is a 2002 photo of the posts that once held up the arch at the corner of Montomery and Pacific Streets.  The above photo of the Crockett Welcome Arch was taken on the occasion of its dedication on August 16, 1913. Built and paid for mostly by volunteers, it spanned Loring Avenue at a time when Crokett's streets were dirt and the sidewalks were made of wood. Progress caught up to the arch in 1923, when the street was paved and widened beyond the reach of the old wooden structure. Although gone, it was not soon forgotten. During its ten years of existance, it was the scene of several great parades and celebrations and its dedication was the biggest party ever held in Crockett, before or since. Crockett Chamber of Commerce photo.  The large welcome arch shown in the photo above (possibly a drawing), reportedly spanned Highway 101 in Santa Rosa during the mid 1920s and into the 1930s. I have had people swear it never existed and others who say they remember it. I don't know which is correct, but would be happy to hear from anyone who can prove that it was there. Santa Rosa Library. If you know of any Welcome Arches in California, past or present, that are not shown here, I would like to hear from you. In my book, Arch Rivals, I have many more and some will be added to this site, but I am always looking for any that I may have missed. Click here to Email us  Welcome Arches #4 Welcome Arches #5 |
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