Organization

The Millbrae Historical Society got its start in the early 1970's by saving one of the few landmarks left in the town. The Southern Pacific Railroad wanted to destroy the Millbrae Train Station in order to make room for additional parking for commuters. A group of dedicated residents got together and proceeded to have the building put on the National Registry of Historic Places. After that goal was achieved in 1976, several other buildings were recognized by the Society.

One of those other structures was a Spring Valley Water Company (later to become the San Francisco Water Department) house. That building was also slated for demolition in order to make way for a new retirement center. The Historical Society again stepped up to the plate and saved the then-ninety-year-old house by moving it one-half mile to a new location. It was then fully and meticulously restored to its original as-built condition from 1895. The Society mustered up all the needed volunteers, raised the necessary funds, and put together a cadre of businesses that donated labor and materials.

This wonderful building is now the Society's Museum, which houses numerous photos, artifacts, furniture, and papers documenting the history of Millbrae and the surrounding area. Recently, the City of Millbrae built a full basement for the Museum and moved the building a second time, about fifty feet, in order to facilitate the construction of a new Library.

The Society also created a railroad museum which opened in at the former Millbrae Train Station. That station building has been continuously in use since it was rebuilt in 1907. The inside has been set up as a display area. Virtually all the photos, artifacts, documents, books, etc are already on display. The entire museum is dedicated primarily to railroad history of Millbrae and the Bay Area.