The name behind the town
Atherton bought more than 600 acres here in 1860. His home, Valparaiso Park, became part of the area's estate history; the town later adopted his name.
Atherton is more than an address
Discover the stories behind familiar names, explore generosity across the region and find a new way to connect with the town. We focus on public history, not private residents' whereabouts.
A short history
From Fair Oaks to Atherton
In 1866, the area was known as Fair Oaks and served as a railroad flag stop. Atherton incorporated on September 12, 1923; the Fair Oaks name was already used by another California town.
People who shaped the place
A private estate becomes a public gift
In 1958, Holbrook-Palmer left her 22-acre property to the town. Her legacy offers a different way to understand Atherton: through shared space rather than private wealth.
Names that remain on the map
Selby's estate was called Almendral. Flood built Linden Towers on land associated today with Lindenwood. These names connect present-day neighborhoods to earlier estates.
Your community, beyond the headlines
Follow the impact
Explore our source-linked community giving map, then find ways to contribute through Pay It Forward.
How well do you know the streets?
Try the street-name puzzle or turn over a few cards in our Bay Area trivia deck.
Make a local plan
Read this weekend's dated picks and town update. Have a story or correction? Tell us about it.
A wider lens
Explore the history mapHow the Valley became Silicon Valley
Follow ten historical chapters on an interactive map, from mercury mines and orchard workers to Stanford, semiconductors and AI.
Property questions
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