Colma

History

The community of Colma was formed in the 19th century as a collection of homes and small businesses along El Camino Real and the adjacent San Francisco and San Jose Railroad line. Several churches, including Holy Angels Catholic Church, were founded in these early years. The community founded its own fire district, which serves the unincorporated area of Colma north of the town limits, as well as the area that became a town in 1924. Heinrich (Henry) von Kempf moved his wholesale nursery here in the early part of the 20th century, from the land where the Palace of Fine Arts currently sits. The business was growing, and thus required more space for von Kempf's plants and trees. Von Kempf then began petitioning to turn the Colma community into an agricultural township. He succeeded and became the town of Colma's first treasurer. In the early 20th century, Colma was the site of many major boxing events. Middleweight world champion Stanley Ketchel fought six bouts at the Mission Street Arena in Colma, including two world middleweight title bouts against Billy Papke and a world heavyweight title bout against Jack Johnson. Colma became the site for numerous cemeteries after San Francisco outlawed new interments within its city limits in 1900, then evicted most existing cemeteries in 1912. In the 1910s, many of the roads to Colma were not maintained. Bodies were transported by street cars in San Francisco down Valencia Street in the Mission District; which resulted in many mortuaries and funeral homes in this location for quick access to Colma. The Town of Lawndale was incorporated in 1924, primarily at the behest of the cemetery owners with the cooperation of the handful of residents who lived closest to the cemeteries. The residential and business areas immediately to the…

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• San Mateo High
  High · San Mateo · 1,613 students · 19.2:1 ratio
• Burlingame High
  High · Burlingame · 1,519 students · 21.1:1 ratio
• Westmoor High
  High · Daly City · 1,302 students · 22.4:1 ratio
• South San Francisco High
  High · South San Francisco · 1,280 students · 19.4:1 ratio
• El Camino High
  High · South San Francisco · 1,173 students · 18.9:1 ratio
• Jefferson High
  High · Daly City · 1,159 students · 21.1:1 ratio
• Mills High
  High · Millbrae · 1,141 students · 21.5:1 ratio
• Capuchino High
  High · San Bruno · 1,091 students · 17.9:1 ratio