Mezes Park was donated to the public in 1854 by Simon Mezes, founder of the Town of Mezesville, which became Redwood City in 1867. Originally named Park Square, it was bordered by B Street, now Warren Street, on the southwest, C Street, Allerton Street, on the northwest, Thirteenth Street, Howland Avenue, on the northeast, and Twelfth Street, Standish Street, on the southwest. Mezes Park was one of three parcels donated to the public by Mezes, including the Courthouse block, and these are believed to be the first lands in California donated for public use. At one time the park included a building where the Veterans of Foreign Wars held its meetings. In 1946, at the request of Veterans of Foreign Wars members, a United States Army M-5 Stuart Tank was placed in Mezes Park to commemorate Americans who had served in the two world wars.