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Friday Slide Show: Redwood City
26 January 2024
We found ourselves in Redwood City this week to conduct some official business. Submit the paperwork, pay the fee, walk out unscathed.
While we were there, though, we took advantage of the opportunity to take a few photos of downtown Redwood City. It had been years since we'd visited the county seat of San Mateo.
At first, driving through the central district, we thought we'd have to abandon that plan. The entire city seemed to be under construction with rebar towers rising from deep excavations on almost every block.
But once we found a parking place and ventured onto the sidewalk, we found life. It wasn't always reaffirming, but it was life.
At the Hall of Justice and Records, which must be the biggest building in town, we discovered a memorial wall for the photojournalist Susan Jean Caldwell, who died in a tragic auto accident in 2005. Imagine that, a public building honoring a photojournalist.
But why not? Both serve the public.
A few minutes later, though, we caught three public officials discarding posters of historic photos outside a historic building. To their credit, though, they chose a few to salvage.
We had a pleasant experience at the Post Office, an ancient building with all its original charm intact. We bought some stamps because unlike other urban areas with which we are acquainted, the line was short and the staff friendly.
We couldn't help but take a few shots of the interior too. The light filtering in from the windows seemed to come from another time.
One of the delights of Redwood City is its utility boxes. They are all decorated with original art. The city brags about its climate ("Climate Best by Government Test" the welcoming sign says) but it's really the art that makes it shine.
Indeed, the city seems to balance itself between modern necessity and historical charm, aided by that uplifting art. It's a neat trick and we enjoyed the act.
But eventually we felt the need to get back in the car and drive up 280 in the light traffic and warm sunlight.
There is, after all, no place like home.
