The following is a retyped article written by Dot Mathias for the San Mateo News Lion in October 1978.  The original article is not in a condition suitable that would provide adequate legibility.  Bill & Dot were the first residents of San Mateo.

 

San Mateo History

 

By Mrs. William Mathias, Jr., First San Mateo Community resident

 

In December 1955, San Mateo was an ecological haven.  Baisden Road was a graded dirt road that came to an abrupt end at Broward Creek.  There were no other roads at that time.  The woods were full of squirrels, oppossums, racoons, skunks, and snakes of all varieties.  It was a common sight to see coveys of quail scurrying across the road.  The woods were alive with birds of every species.  The Broward River was a fisherman’s delight. Shrimp, crab and alligators were abundant.

 

Mother nature seemed to realize December denoted the holiday season.  The woods were ablaze with color.  The wild holly trees were resplendent with their scarlet berries and waxen green leaves.  Mistletoe was only a finger tip away.  The green leaves of the magnolia trees were a sharp contrast to the red and gold leaves of the elm and hickory trees.  The woods of San Mateo depicted a Christmas wonderland.

 

The first residents of San Mateo, the William S. Mathias, Jr., family, moved into this Christmas wonderland on December 19, 1955.  Their home was built by Joseph Pipitone, land developer and contractor, and is located at 341 Baisden Road. 

 

Baisden Road was paved during the early part of 1956; however, telephone service was not available for a year and there were no street lights.

 

The spring months were even prettier and more spectacular than the winter months.  Mother nature waved her magic wand and the dogwood, red bud and magnolia trees came into full bloom.  The violets and flocks peeked out from their blanket of leaves.

 

In May, 1956, the Judson Hiers family moved into their newly built home at 403 Baisden Road.  Their home was built by an individual contractor.  In August, 1956, the T. R. Traylor family moved into their new home at 309 Baisden Road.   Shortly thereafter, September 1956, the Calvin C. Simmons family moved into their home located at 207 Baisden Road.  In early January 1957, the James L. Burnett family moved to 217 Baisden Road.  All three of these homes were built by Roscoe Griner, Contractor.  There were no other homes or stores located in San Mateo at this time.  The nearest grocery stores were Winn Dixie at 54th and Main Streets, and Souds Grocery in Oceanway.  The Burnett’s subsequently sold their home and bought a new home at 276 Baisden Road.

 

During the spring months, caravans of Gypsies would often camp out at the corner of Baisden Road and Main Street, much to the consternation of the residents of San Mateo.  During this time the residents were hesitant to hang out their laundry, because entire lines of clothes would mysteriously disappear!  The residents rejoiced when T. R. Traylor purchased the Trailer Park at Baisden Road and Main Street in May 1957, and forbid the Gypsies to camp on this property.

 

In 1957, Joseph Pipitone decided to sell to a developer of subdivisions, Bill Soforenko.  It was during this time the streets were platted and paved.  Bull dozers moved in and thousands of beautiful oak, holly, dogwood, and redbud trees were felled needlessly.  The bridge was built across Broward Creek linking Broward Road to Eastport Road.  Bill Soforenko eventually sold out to Myers and Lazeau, who built additional homes and added three additional streets, Americana Lane, Princessa Lane and Avery Drive.  A Shell Service Station was built at the corner of Baisden Rd. and Main Street.  Subsequently, a Pac’s Minute Market was built, a beauty parlor, hardware store, and laundromat were added. 

 

As the community grew, so grew the families, and it soon became apparent a school was desperately needed.  Residents, led by Mr. William Mathias, requested a survey be made by the Duval County School Board to determine the need.  The San Mateo children experienced their first exposure to busing.  Oceanway Elementary School became grossly overcrowded.  The first grade was put on double sessions.  The School Board survey showed a dire need for an elementary school to be built in San Mateo.  Thirty-two acres of land were purchased from Raymond David, at the corner of Emuness and Baisden Road, and the San Mateo Elementary School construction was underway!

 

The students from San Mateo were transferred from Oceanway Elementary School to North Shore Elementary School, causing a tremendous overcrowding at this facility.  In 1962 San Mateo Elementary became a reality.

 

Also in the 1960’s Baisden Road and Main Street became the business center of San Mateo.  The A & P Grocery store was built.  The shopping area was expanded to include a bakery, another laundromat, and a beauty salon.  In a few short years a Jax Minute Market, barbershop and a restaurant were added.

 

Through the efforts of the San Mateo Civic Association, during the years 1969-1971, additional playground equipment for San Mateo School was obtained.  Tennis courts were built, street lights were obtained, and a community tree lighting was held with 1500 residents participating.  The cedar tree which stands in the park-way at the entrance to San Mateo was given to San Mateo by the City of Jacksonville.  This “living” Christmas tree was designated as a memorial to the past efforts of the community.  An outdoor, residential Christmas lighting contest was also sponsored by the association.  San Mateo, “the sleeping giant” was awakening!  

 

The San Mateo Community has always supported their government, its schools, and its neighbors.  It has always been this way.

 

 

 

 

“There is a destiny that makes us brothers,

None goes his way alone.

All that we send into the lives of others

Comes back into our own.”

                                                      - Markham

 

Interesting note:  Twenty-two years later, four of the original five families are still residents of San Mateo.