Historical Society of South San Francisco

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South San Francisco, CA
Historical Society of South San Francisco

Mailing Address:
80 Chestnut Avenue
South San Francisco, CA 94080
(650) 829-3825

The Historical Society is a non-profit organization established in 1980 for all those interested in the history and culture of South San Francisco. It was originally formed to advocate for the historically significant architecture in the downtown Grand Avenue corridor and for the preservation of landmarks. The Society seeks to achieve this through active support and participation in community plan

ning.Today we now have Sign Hill as a Registered National Landmark, Sidewalk of Names, Magnolia Plaza community room, the Historic Preservation Ordinance, and some 25 historic resources protected against needless destruction.

06/17/2026

Tell me you're Italian without telling me you're Italian ;-)
and familes are in this photo. Do you recognize any of the faces of yesteryear?

06/03/2026

Mark your Calendar!

Our Vintage Goods and Rummage Sale is coming up on June 13, 2026 from 9 am to 3 pm.

80 Chestnut Avenue - SSF
Huge array of household items, collectibles, antiques, vintage toys, and small furniture, etc.

Thank you for your support!

05/10/2026

Some last-minute gift ideas from our local businesses.
Happy Mother’s Day!

05/02/2026

May Day Queen, Vivi Xerogeanes, stands proudly in front of Martin School, with her father, James, beaming nearby and officer Joe Bildhauer looking on from the school steps. A special moment captured in time—community, tradition, and pride all in one frame. 👑🌸

1933

04/24/2026

Showing off her wheels on Grand Avenue in front of the Majestic Cafe (operated by Richard Setter).

Can anybody figure out the exact location?

1916

04/16/2026

The new Civic Center parking lot completed in May 1954. It accommodated up to 100 cars.

This image was enhanced from a poor quality photo in The Enterprise. Why does the concrete look like water?? It’s the same in the original photo.
,

03/16/2026

On this day in 1949, the Enterprise announced the grand opening of the Leo A. Jacopi Chrysler-Plymouth Dealership on El Camino Real and Orange Avenue. 🚗✨

The new dealership proudly showcased the latest models from Chrysler and Plymouth, reflecting the excitement of the postwar automobile boom and South San Francisco’s growing business community.

Note: The photo has been enhanced from a very poor-quality newspaper clipping to improve visibility.

01/16/2026

On this day in 1949, ground was broken for All Soul’s School.

“The crowd forms as Monsignor Tozzi, All Soul’s pastor, and altar boys approach the area for Sunday’s groundbreaking program for the new parochial school to be built adjacent to the church site. Carl E. Welt, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Welte, turned the first dirt. The lower photo shows the large crowd on hand gathered around young Welte as he turns the dirt after blessings had been said by Monsignor Tozzi. Work has already begun on the site and the eight room school is expected to be ready next fall.”
The Enterprise, January 19, 1949

01/08/2026

Before &Roccucci, 's, or , there was Bonalanza & Montegazza. A fixture on Grand Avenue, they dressed South San Francisco men in fine style. 👔✨ Owned by Carlo Bonalanza and Ettore Mantegazza. c. 1908

12/24/2025

Beautifully restored photo of Christmas at the William H. Coffinberry home at 754 Miller Avenue.

William H. Coffinberry came from Indiana in 1910 to take over as President of the Bank of South San Francisco.

Pictured are his daughter, Martha Nell (left) and his niece, Elizabeth. Photo c. 1918.

Address

80 Chestnut Avenue
South San Francisco, CA
94080

Telephone

+16508756967

Website

http://www.ssfhistory.org/

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