history of South San Francisco

The early history of South San Francisco parallels that of the rest of California. The Ohlone Indians inhabited this area before it came under Spanish and later Mexican rule.

This particular area was known as Rancho Buri Buri. Between 1856 and 1892, portions of the Rancho were purchased by cattle barons Miller and Lux who formed the town of Baden, and a group of Chicago businessmen, led by Gustavus Swift, who formed the town of South San Francisco. Swift also created the South San Francisco Land Improvement Company which in turn was the driving force for, and the economic support behind, the 1908 merger and incorporation of these two areas as the City of South San Francisco.

At the time of incorporation, the population totaled 1,989 and there were 14 major industries in SSF. The city continued to grow and flourish with companies such as Bethlehem Steel, U.S. Steel, W.P. Fuller and Swift and Co. among many others. During the 1920’s, City Hall was built to house all City offices including the Police and Fire Departments and the “South San Francisco, the Industrial City” sign was installed on Sign Hill through the work of the Chamber of Commerce.

In 1949, the City Manager/City Council form of government was adopted and under this leadership, the city expanded with the addition of the Oyster Point Marina, housing developments on the slopes west of El Camino and the creation of the Industrial Park by the Utah Construction Company. The population also continued to grow while maintaining the diversity that had always existed in the area.

As heavy industry moved out of the area, it was replaced by light industry and hotels serving the San Francisco International Airport. In 1976, Herb Boyer and Bob Swanson founded Genentech in order to explore ways of using recombinant DNA technology to create breakthrough medicines. This was the beginning of the biotech industry and earned SSF the title of “Birthplace of Biotechnology”. Since that time, many other biotech firms as well as large development projects such as The Gateway, Oyster Point Business Park and Bay West Cove have moved into the area.

The residential areas have also continued to grow and prosper with new housing developments, parks, green areas, public art and a host of City services and community organizations such as North Peninsula Neighborhood Services Center, the SSF Health Center and many others. The SSF Conference Center opened in April 1993 to serve local businesses, visitors and residents.

The Chamber has played an important role throughout the history of SSF and will continue to support local businesses and work to improve the community we work and live in.