The Winner of the Half Moon Bay History Quiz is …

The Half Moon Bay History Association (HMBHA) submitted this historic photo and asked Half Moon Bay Patch readers last month to identify the scene in the picture.

The Half Moon Bay History Association judges all answers and all correct and likely answers are put into a random drawing. The winner of the drawing receives a prize: a copy of “Treasures of Half Moon Bay” walking guide to historic locations in town (usually sells for a $10 donation to the HMBHA).

Out of seven guesses, Silvio Modena was the closest to being right. Great job Silvio! 

Silvio wrote in: "It looks like Moss Beach in an old Ford 1908 to 1911 heading north to SF or the train station." 

Thank you to everyone who offered an answer. Amy Fothergill guessed it was old Highway 1 in front of the Johnston House. Kathy St. Charles thought maybe it was Poplar Beach, Tom Anderson wrote in a very tongue-and-cheek manner that it was someone heading to Dream Machines with GPS and was lost, and Ellen Chiri thinks it looks like the driver was heading north from El Granada with the Denniston home in the back.

Here’s what Dave Cresson of the Half Moon Bay History Association has to say about the photo:

"The attached is a really rare and wonderful old shot. I am guessing that it may be among the very first appearances of a car in Montara. The picture comes from archives of the development of the Ocean Shore Railroad. It appears that this is probably the wife of one of the developers/financiers and a chauffeur as they drove one of the early cars (this was probably 1906) out to Montara to examine the future path of the railroad. This was the beginning of that dream that lead not to a great railroad but instead to most of the subdivisions of the Coastside."

Silvio, please e-mail Christa Bigue at christa.bigue@patch.com with your address so the folks at the Half Moon Bay History Association can mail you your prize!

Stay tuned for the next Half Moon Bay History Quiz courtesy of the Half Moon Bay History Association.

For more information about the Half Moon Bay History Association, located at 326 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, visitwww.HalfMoonBayHistory.orghttp://www.HalfMoonBayHistory.orgor call (650) 726-4468. The HMBHA is always looking for new members and volunteers. Annual dues are $25. Tell the stories, keep the records and be a part of how our Coastside came to become itself. Call or e-mail Info@HalfMoonBayHistory.org for a 2013 membership.