The warm climate and convenient railway service attracted wealthy San Franciscans to build estates in San Mateo, and Japanese first found employment there as domestics, often “live in”, as maids, cooks, gardeners, and butlers. By the 1940s, Japanese had begun setting up shop, with 5 nurseries, 4 laundries, 2 stores, 2 cleaners, and a tailor. The ideal climate in San Mateo County also had become a haven for Japanese flower growers and community formed around the 3 churches, and 1 Japanese school. Although the historic community buildings are gone, the local Gardeners Association helped to establish a Japanese American Community Center at 415 South Claremont Street.