Peninsula Mile Houses facts for kids

Peninsula Mile Houses were special stops built way back in 1849. They popped up when a stagecoach line was created to connect San Francisco and San Jose, California. Imagine a long, bumpy trip that took at least nine hours! These mile houses were like rest stops where travelers and their horses could take a break.

History of Mile Houses

The San Francisco Bay Area grew super fast during the California Gold Rush. This meant more people needed to travel between San Francisco and San Jose. So, a stagecoach line was built, and along this route, the Peninsula Mile Houses appeared.

These houses got their names from how far they were from either the San Francisco Ferry Building or Mission San Francisco de Asís. At first, they were simple places for travelers to rest. But over time, many of them grew into busy businesses. They became hotels, restaurants, and even places where people could get a drink.

Famous Peninsula Mile Houses

Here are some of the well-known Peninsula Mile Houses:

1 Mile House

This house, also called Abbey House, was located in Daly City, California.

3 Mile House

You would have found the 3 Mile House near where the Interstate 280 (California)/Bayshore Freeway is today.

4 Mile House

The 4 Mile House was about a mile north of the 5 Mile House.

5 Mile House

The 5 Mile House is still standing in San Francisco at 3600 San Bruno Avenue. It's between Girard Street and Wilde Avenue. Today, there are no businesses on its ground floor. But in its busiest days, it was a very important stop. It was the last Mile House within San Francisco city limits. It was also at the end of the Third Street rail line, which was built in 1894.

6 Mile House

This was the very first Mile House you would reach after leaving the San Francisco city limits.

7 Mile House

The 7 Mile House was built in 1858 in Brisbane, California. It's amazing because it's the only active mile house still in its original spot! Long ago, the 7 Mile House was known as a popular gathering place, even for some people who weren't always following the rules. During the 1920s, when alcohol was not allowed, it became a secret place where people could get drinks. By the 1980s, it was a place where people played games for money, which wasn't allowed either.

Despite its interesting past, the 7 Mile House is one of the oldest bars in the San Francisco Bay Area. It's also a place where you can listen to live music. Plus, it's a family and dog-friendly restaurant that serves American, Italian, and Filipino food. Vanessa Garcia is the current owner.

12 Mile House

The 12 Mile House was located in South San Francisco, California.

14 Mile House (Uncle Tom's Cabin)

This house, nicknamed Uncle Tom's Cabin, was built in 1849 in San Bruno, California. It was located near a creek that marked one of the most challenging parts of the stagecoach journey.

16 Mile House

The 16 Mile House was built in Millbrae, California in 1872. It stayed active in its original location until the early 1970s. Later, it reopened in a new spot and now operates as a steakhouse.

17 Mile House

The 17 Mile House was also built in Millbrae. It was first known to exist in 1844. In 1863, it became the first stop in Millbrae for the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad. Sadly, it burned down in 1907.