FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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FRIENDS OF EDGEWOOD NATURAL PRESERVE
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Adapted From Research By Nita Spangler The house which once graced Edgewood's Day Camp area, began its life as the Monterey County Building at the California Midwinter International Exposition held in Golden Gate Park during 1894. When the exposition closed John Isaac, at the time employed by the State Horticultural Commission in San Francisco, acquired the building, dismantled it, and had the sections delivered to the Redwood City train station. From there the pieces were hauled by horse drawn cart to the present day entrance to Edgewood. Isaac used the salvaged building materials to erect the large, two story home pictured above. Isaac, and his family lived there until 1903. When Isaac moved to Sacramento to become Secretary of the Horticulture Commission, the house was sold to an interim owner before it was purchased by Henry C. Finkler in 1907. Finkler and his wife added the out buildings, (pictured below) a barn, and convinced the County to construct the concrete bridge still used as the parking lot entrance. Finkler's wife died in 1927 and three years later he was still so distraught that he took his own life on the property. The house then became part of a legal debate. Since Finkler was a widower with no children, his handwritten will directed his property be divided between two clerks who had worked for him at the State Supreme court. The will was challenged by Finkler relatives in probate court. In a directed verdict by Judge George Buck in favor of the Finkler designees, the handwritten will's original intent was honored. Benjamin Grant Taylor bought out the interest of the other beneficiary. He and his family owned the property from the mid 1930's until 1967. Then the State of California initiated its right of eminent domain to obtain the land for a college. The location was planned for student housing for the proposed Edgewood Hills State College. George Taylor, a teenager when his family moved onto the property, continued to rent the house from the State until legislation was initiated to "get rid" of surplus college site property. The house was demolished after the property's ownership passed to the County of San Mateo. Upcoming issues of the Edgewood Explorer will feature more historical information about Isaac, Finkler, and the genesis of Edgewood Road. |
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