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Note: The earlier phase (through February 28, 2018) of the Gates Project is recorded at the Menlo Gates sub-page of the MPHA home page. Among other things, that earlier page has extensive information on the history of the Gates.
PROJECT BEGINNINGS
As early as 2015 Ernst Meissner, an architect located in Menlo Park, began advocating for a project to reproduce the Menlo Gates that were originally constructed about 1852 by Dennis Oliver and Daniel McGlynn. The original Gates were located at the entrance to their ranch on County Road (now El Camino Real) opposite today's Ravenswood Avenue (before it was realigned). When the San Francisco and San Jose Railroad was inaugurated in 1863, the nearby train depot was given the name Menlo Park, the name taken from the Gates, and so a town's name was born.
The Gates survived many storms and were even preserved by Camp Fremont authorities during the Great War (the Camp's headquarters were nearby). Only in 1922 were the Gates destroyed by a speeding automobile. Over the years, several unsuccessful attempts were made to restore the Gates. By 2016 Ernst had convinced the Menlo Park Historical Association (MPHA) to take on this project. Bill Weseloh, a local realtor and MPHA member became the first Menlo Gates Project chairman. Ernst's daughter, Melinda, also an architect, produced the first drawings based on existing photographs from about 1900. Later Sam Sinnott, another local architect, joined the project contributing a detailed construction design, and Keith Willig, a local landscape architect, provided the landscape design. Eventually Samuel Sinnott & Co Inc accepted the contract to construct and install the Gates at the City's campus on the corner of Alma St and Ravenswood Ave.
In early 2017, Jym Clendenin assumed chairmanship of the Gates Project. Bill Weseloh passed away on May 1, 2017, followed on November 26, 2017, by Ernst Meissner. Current members of the Gates Project Committee are listed on the Gates Project Committee page.
SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDRAISING
The good news is that construction of the Menlo Gates has begun. The steel frame should be installed the week of December 3rd (when not raining). The entire construction and installation might be completed by the end of 2018. The bad news is that the cost (now fixed by a construction contract with Sam Sinnott & Co) has risen to $97,000. We now need to raise an additional $14,000 (includes plaque and other details) to complete the project. Note: The total cost of the project is now capped by the contract with Sam Sinnott & Co. Your donation will help. You can also help by spreading this request for additional donations among your friends and relatives who love Menlo Park and want to honor its history in this way.
Ref: Donation drive to construct new Menlo Gates continues, Inmenlo.com (November 21, 2018).
Current Fundraising Status
1/9/2019
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Donations can be made directly to MPHA by check made out to MPHA and sent to MPHA, 800 Alma St., Menlo Park, CA 94025, or by PayPal or credit card using the Donate button on the MPHA home page (https://sites.google.com/site/mphistorical/ ), or using our gofundme.com/menlogates site.
Major donors will be included on a bronze plaque to be installed at the base of the Gates.
INSTALLATION
Nov 29, 2018 - Site work begins
Dec 3, 2018 - Steel being installed
Dec 5-6, 2018 - Inspection of steel installation
Dec 11, 2018 - Concrete pedestals completed Dec 21, 2018 - Plaque pedestal
January 3, 2019 - Status of Installation
a. The redwood for the columns has been wire-brushed, stained and is presently in the on-site shipping container undergoing aging. This redwood will not be installed until after the arches are installed, partly to avoid rain damage.
b. The wire-brushed redwood arches and capitols are scheduled to be delivered January 16th. They will then need to be stained and aged. Before installing, the lettering will be applied.
c. The wiring for the lighting (but not the transformers) is in place.
d. Some buffing of the cement walkway yet to do.
Send questions or suggestions regarding this project to mphistorical@gmail.com
Last updated: 9 January 2019