The first station serving downtown San Mateo was located between 2nd and 3rd at Railroad . On June 15 , 1883 , a " disastrous fire " destroyed San Mateo 's Central block , located across the street from the station . Antoine Borel donated a lot in the block burned clear by the fire which become the site of the first public library in San Mateo ; that building , named " Library Hall " , was later converted to serve as City Hall . The depot and Library Hall both sustained damage in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake . Library Hall and the old depot were torn down in 1976 , and a parking structure was erected on the old site . Today , the site holds a 12-screen cinema , and a mural in the courtyard pays homage to Library Hall
1906 San Francisco earthquake
1906 San Francisco earthquake
San Mateo station