The Times from San Mateo, California • Page 31

Rage 3 A THE TIMES WEEKEND CANTONE'S DELIGHTS are not only the fireplace of the study and the rare Valentino poster, but the top hat and cane. The latter belonged to his grandfather, and the cane serves as a sheath far a sword. iii dk also appointed as supervisor. This son was born in San Francisco in 1866; and uied in San Mateo in 1825, He was probably more famous in our local history of San Mateo than his father "By the turn of the twentieth century, when Victorianism had run its course, San Mateo builders, by virtue of the myriad materials and techniques available, were free to be completely individualistic. One man who exercised bis individuality at this time was the builder of the large, square house known now as Falcon Lair.

It has a two story bay window, but is without ornamentation except for dentils and brackets under the cornice. Its two unusual features are the brown wooden frames around the arched windows and its completely flat roof "San Mateo is fortunate that some its architectural heritage remains to 'give us a picture of the remarkable change which took place here between I860' awl .1910. "It is quite unfortunate that this famous old mansion has not received the attention that some of the other old mansions have received in San Mateo County. Mostly because the Falcon Lair is probably the oldest house remaining in San Mateo today, and was probably the oldest mansion including the more famous ones, such as "The Tobin Clark mansion is still standing, and yet to this day receives a lot of publicity. It has 38 rooms, and was built in 1931.

"The Flood mansion in Menlo Park was built in the early 1880' by James C. Flood. It was torn down about 1930. "The Carolands mansion is still standing. It was built by Mrs.

Harriet Pullman Caroland in 1915. It has 96 rooms, and is presently ihe home of Countess Lillian Re millard Dandini. "The "Uplands" was very famous, and is stiil standing. It was built by Templelon Crocker in 1912. "The old Hayward mansion was very famous in its day.

It was built by Alvinza Hayward in the 1880's, It later became the old San Mateo Hotel in 1908, and was later burned. "The old Parrott mansion was built spected position in the little town of San Mateo, since he had the hiring of many workmen whose employment in those struggling days was important to men with families trying to establish homes. "On Wednesday, February 16, 1875, water was released into the pipes of the San Mateo Water Works, then under the supervision of the Spring Valley Water Company, and Mr, Lawrence, of course "On February 1, 1B81, the king of the Sandwich Islands paid a visit to San Mateo, being the guest of Lawrence and his family. He visited some of the most pretentious places in the region, inspecting the reservoir of the water courses of the Spring Valley Water Company. The king was later driven to the St, Matthew's Hall where the cadets went through the ceremony of dress parade, after which a number of people were presented to him, "Mr.

Lawrence led a. very active civic and political life in the city and county of San Mateo, being a member of the County Board of Supervisors for several years. Contemporaries stated that he always showed coolness, and readiness to grasp any situation, and displayed excellent judgment in controversial incidents. "Pneumonia was the cause of Mr, Lawrence's death which occurred in San Mateo on October 31, 1388, at the early age of 48 years and 11 months. His premature passing was widely mourned, as narrated in the Redwood City Gazette of that date.

"His older son, William Babcock Lawrence was appointed to Bill his place in the Spring Valley Water Company, and was ished in 1875. It may be scanned at the San Mateo County Historical Society's museum and library at the College of San Mateo, to verify some of the facts, he sets forth, adds Canlone. His own historical account of the home he delights in reflects his very special appreciation of it: Falcon Lair has a grandeur about it Colonial in character, it was once green shuttered and had a rustic finish, but since then its outward appearance as well as location has undergone change The large, square rooms have high wainscoting and massive doors. The lofty ceilings held single gas jets for lighting, marble fireplaces (four) supplied the only warmth, outside the enormous kitchen stove in those days. "Mr, Lawrence, and his wife, Sarah, with their three daughters and two sons, occupied this dignified mansion for many years.

PJ "He was a native of Vernon, Oneida County, New York, and married Miss Car rick one of six sisters, and aunt of Mrs, George Dickie (Ella Carrick) of Elm Street, San Mateo, whose father was their only brother. "The Lawrence family first lived at the San Andreas Lake, and with them Jake Richardson, who married Eliza Carrick. "Lawrence's first employment in California was in the area when the famed Spring Valley Dam was being built. As superintendent of the Spring Valley Water Company he lived and held a highly re.