A short stroll along a
long-forgotten waterway in Redwood City will reveal a plaque with the
information that Diller’s Island once stood here, overlooking the port of
Redwood City, where ships loaded lumber from the many sawmills in the area.
Diller’s Island was once the
site of Redwood City’s first schoolhouse, which was reached via a bridge from
the port area. The school is long gone,
along with the old Indian burial ground which was still visible nearby. However, remnants of the inhabitants still
remain.
The island was probably named
after J.V.Diller, owner of a general store which stood at 726 Main St.[1]
On a high point of the
island, a railway track cuts through the weeds, running parallel to the
shoreline. The track was constructed
about 1860 and remains today. Near the
tracks are two old houses, the earliest buildings in Redwood City. The John Offerman House was built in 1857,
and the John Dielmann house in 1874.[2]
During wet weather, unless
one possesses a stout pair of boots, the island is inaccessible to the casual
walker. However, it may be viewed through
binoculars from a high point at the end of Main Street. In dry weather, when the tide is out, a
crossing may be made on an elevated section near the train tracks.
On arrival, you first come
across an old white picket fence which may date back to the days of the schools. A rusty gate still hangs from the
hinges. The houses are surrounded by
lush vegetation, including several palms, indication of a once large garden
here.
Although the area was at one
time crowded with sea-going ships, it would be impossible to bring any
large-draft ships in now. In fact it
would be unusual even to see anyone fishing for sculpin or croakers[3] along the
creek, which is mostly filled in. It is
still a popular place to stroll, however, and well worth a visit to view some
of Redwood City’s hidden history.
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