California Square was a parcel of land north of Marshall Street, between Hamilton and Winslow, diagonally across from the Courthouse. In the Town of Mezesville survey of 1854, Simon Mezes, who played a large part in establishing Redwood City and was the town’s first subdivider, originally designated the site as a public park plaza. It was one of two blocks in the town site survey that Mezes donated for public use. The other tract, at Warren and Standish streets and now called Mezes Park, remains in use as Mezes had intended. These blocks are believed to be the first property in California donated for public use and recreation. Beginning with the construction of the Hall of Justice and Records in 1958, the entire block was developed in the following years as part of the San Mateo County Government Center administrative and court complex.