agricultural activity, and the hide and tallow trade was the main economic activity. South of Pilarcitos Creek, the beach was part of Rancho Miramontes, granted in 1841. To the north of Pilarcitos Creek was Rancho Corral de Tierra (Vasquez), granted in 1839. The first Americans arrived in this area in the 1850s. The Mexican settlement known as Spanishtown, a commercial center for the rancheros, was called "Halfmoon" by these Anglos; the bay itself was named "Halfmoon" due to its shape. In 1867 the local post office was identified as "Halfmoon Bay", and the spelling was changed to Half Moon Bay in 1905. Agriculture had developed in Half Moon Bay by the turn of the 20th century, with crops such as brussels sprouts, artichokes, and mushrooms along with dairy products. The Ocean Shore Railroad was incorporated in 1905 and was running along the coast from Half Moon Bay to San Francisco by the end of 1908. During the 1920s, the gentle beaches of Half Moon Bay were ideally suited to the needs of the bootlegger. Rum ships cruised offshore, unloading millions of dollars worth of illegal booze across Half Moon Bay, where Francis Beach was a perfect spot for unloading the cargo. During World War II, an Army post was set up at the beach to protect from Japanese invasion and bombing raids; further north, bunkers and long-range cannons were built to support the coastline. Wildlife Half Moon Bay State Beach is well known for its rare western snowy plover colony. A variety of fish species have been identified in the marine environment, the most abundant fish including flatfish, the commercially important English sole, rockfish, surfperch, Pacific herring, lingcod, herring; and abundant winter species, including starry flounder and top-smelts. Marine mammals California sea lion Steller sea lion Harbor seal Northern fur seal Elephant seal Dolphin Gray whale Humpback whale Blue whale Land mammals Raccoon California vole European rabbit Skunk Opossum Long-tailed weasel Gray fox Coyote Mule deer Mountain lion Birds Hen harrier Great blue heron Kestrel White-tailed kite Red-tailed hawk Killdeer Sandpiper Sanderling Willet Turnstone Curlew Pelican Sooty shearwater Gull Barn swallow Western snowy plover Plant life Beach primrose Beach aster Blue blossom Brass buttons Cheese weed Chickweed Coyote bush Daisy Gumplant Coast hedge-nettle Poison hemlock Douglas iris Miner's lettuce Live-forever Lizard tail Coast lotus Coastal bush lupin Varicolored lupine Mallow Wild mustard Yellow oxalis Indian paintbrush Beach pea California poppy