100-year-old subdivision map of Christmas Tree Hill, showing
the many tiny lots that were originally created in tracts known as
"Merry Colonists," "Morningside" and "Corte Madera Woods."
the many tiny lots that were originally created in tracts known as
"Merry Colonists," "Morningside" and "Corte Madera Woods."
This vintage subdivision map shows how the Hill was originally divided more than a hundred years ago into tiny lots that were sold for as little as $50 (at a dollar down and 50 cents a week), mostly to San Franciscans who arrived on the train in Railroad Square (now Old Corte Madera Square.) Tent cottages occupied many of the tiny lots in the late 1890s and early 1900s, when vacationers enjoyed Corte Madera's good weather during summers and weekends. After the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, families began buying multiple lots for building year-round homes. You can view a PDF version of A History of Corte Madera by clicking the red link at http://www.cortemaderamemories.org/the-book-a-history-of-corte-madera.html. Go to page 54 for more info about Christmas Tree Hill.