The California coast area around Half Moon Bay was first inhabited by the Ohlone
people (also called the Costanoans). Then Spanish Dons were given land grants in the
1840s. After Mexican and Chilean laborers settled in the town, it was called
Spanishtown. It is the oldest town in San Mateo County. The name of the town was
changed to Half Moon Bay in 1874.
James Johnston was one of the first Americans to settle in Half Moon Bay. In about 1855
Johnston built a New England style "salt box" house for his family—three sons, a
daughter, his wife’s mother, and his sister. The house is listed in the National Register of
Historic Places.
The international heritage of the area was enriched in the late 1800s by the arrival of
Canadians, Chinese, English, Germans, Irish, Italians, Scots, Portuguese, and Pacific
Islanders.
In 1911 the Half Moon Bay Jail was built on Johnston Street. It was a Sheriff's station
with an office and two small cells until about 1966. The Jail is now occupied by the
Spanishtown Historical Society. City Hall was built in 1922. It looks like a bank because
it used to be one.
Half Moon Bay can be very foggy. During Prohibition, the thick fog in local ocean coves
hid rumrunners coming from Canada.
There are several historic sites you can see today in Half Moon Bay:
James Johnston House
Half Moon Bay Jail
Half Moon Bay City Hall
Thomas Johnston Barn
Ocean Shore Railway Station