When Americans came to the
Peninsula, after the Indian, Mission,
& Rancho eras, Mayfield &
Menlo Park became railroad stops,
while 'Palo Alto' remained a hayfield.

Palo Alto has long been noted for its trees and a
significant number of streets are named for them.
The influence of an Hispanic background is repeatedly
reflected in street names.

Names of the Stanford family & some early faculty
members are represented. Pioneer families & citizens
who have contributed to the City's progress are
represented in street names too.

Timothy Hopkins & William Mills, Southern Pacific
Railway land agent, collaborated in naming most of
Palo Alto's original streets. Twenty-six of the
original twenty-eight street names are still in use.

Images of Nature