Brisbane’s 7-Mile House continues marathon run
In a tedious, tattered Time of Tweet, finding something with genuine authenticity, even a precious modicum of that fleeting commodity, is heartening news indeed.
So the 160-year anniversary celebration of Brisbane’s 7-Mile House that was held Friday is worth noting. Located at 2800 Bayshore Blvd. near the San Francisco border, the restaurant/sports bar has been a North County fixture since 1858.
The establishment is one of several “mile houses” that stretched south from a point in S.F. down the Peninsula. Utilized by stagecoach crews, travelers and others in those rugged 19th-century days, the facilities were situated at intervals (hence the mileage designations) in such towns as Daly City, South San Francisco, San Bruno and Millbrae.
Brisbane’s version, operated now by Vanessa Garcia, is the only one left standing on its original site. It has gone through a number of iterations through the decades, including gambling den, speakeasy and brothel. Today, its activities are all legit. Promotional materials tout it as being “family friendly.”
In that regard, Friday’s event included food, music and a book signing. “See You at the 7-Mile House — Stories from the Bay Area’s Last Original Mile House” is cowritten by Garcia and Regina Abuyuan.
A telling comment
Peninsula residents who dread the very idea of a proposed high-speed rail system careening along existing Caltrain tracks sometime in this century could not take much heart in last week’s telling comment by Dan Richard, chairman of the outfit’s Board of Directors, as quoted by various media.
In the aftermath of revelations that the program is far over budget on its initial Central Valley segment as predicted a year ago by analysts (who were summarily treated like lepers by Richard and other high-speed honchos), Richard declared, “I do feel that we owe it to the next governor to provide a complete package ... of what this program looks like.”
So what exactly has been provided to the governor (and the taxpayers) thus far? Apparently, not a whole lot of important fiscal facts — but certainly an abundance of stonewalling and recriminations.
Pour the bubbly
Speaking of taxpayers and their cash, any indication of a reduction in taxes or fees imposed by a government agency is welcome.
But there was a certain irony in a recent San Mateo County press release describing — let’s raise a glass or two of imported bubbly as we speak — a whopping $1 reduction in a document-recording fee. The charge actually went away via a provision in the original state regulation.
Still, a dollar is a dollar is a dollar, no matter how you tend to squeeze it. Let’s be thankful for small favors, even one that amounts to a modest buck.
Hall of Fame
Tickets are on sale for the 2018 Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet March 29 at the Westin SFO Hotel in Millbrae.
Tickets are priced at $95 apiece; $20 for children under 12. They are available through the San Mateo County/Silicon Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau at 650-348-7600.
Nine individuals will be inducted this year: Isaac Carson, KK Clark, Jack Daniels, Julian Edelman, Jeremy Lin, Julie Middleton, Larry Owens, Bill Shine and Archie Williams.
The Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame, located at the San Mateo County History Museum, was created in 1989.
John Horgan’s column runs weekly in the Mercury News. He can be contacted by email at johnhorganmedia@gmail. com or by regular mail at P.O. Box 117083, Burlingame, CA 94011.