Millbrae History Walk Part 7: The Massolo Building

The may have been built back in the early 1930s, but the family’s rich history is what makes the building itself one of Millbrae’s most well noted treasures.

Alma Massolo is the current owner of the property. A historian and curator to the Millbrae community, she said that the building is still in the same condition and great quality as it was when it was first built.

“The family considers this building as a monument to Antonio,” said Massolo of her father-in-law who constructed the two-story complex.

Antonio Massolo moved to Millbrae in 1902. Born in Genova, Italy, he worked on a 20 acre farm, growing flowers and vegetables. He also raised seeds and sold them to other farmers.

According to Alma Massolo, Antonio did not settle deals with contracts or paperwork, but preferred to complete all his business ventures with a handshake.

Just 10 years later, in 1912, he married his wife, Maria. They moved in to the farmhouse, which was on the current site of Kohl’s.

Despite financial struggles during the Great Depression, Antonio constructed the two-story commercial building on El Camino Real and La Cruz Avenue in 1932. Charles Fantoni, who was known for his work on Saints Peter and Paul Church in North Beach, San Francisco, was hired to help design and build the property.

Antonio and Maria raised their three sons on the farm, who helped around the fields as they grew older. 

“The boys would catch the 40 Street Car to the flower market at Fifth and Howard in San Francisco to sell their violets,” said Massolo.

But the family was more than just about hard work. On Sundays during the summer, the family, along with neighbors, would gather at Taylor Creek for picnics where they enjoyed homemade wine, food and accordion music. 

“The best treat of all was riding with Chief Frank Palmieri in his police car as he patrolled Millbrae, which had 800 residents at the time,” said Massolo.

Spring Valley Water Department eventually sold a portion of Antonio's land, as homes were in development. He continued to live on the farm throughout  his retirement until his death in 1949.

Antonio and Maria’s first son, Peter, was born in 1913. Involved in politics, and looking over everything that took place in his community, Peter was referred to as the “Father of Millbrae.” But his life was cut short unexpectedly in 1933, when a friend accidentally shot him.

The Massolo’s second son was Emilio. Born in 1917, he helped Millbrae incorporate in 1948, and later joined the city’s first planning commission that same year. He also served as Millbrae’s mayor for two sessions; from 1952-1953, and 1957-1958.  He died in 1984.

Silvio, the youngest of the siblings, was born in 1919. A businessman, he worked with Al Baragno and debuted Millbrae’s first flower shop. Together, they also created the first flower concession at San Francisco International Airport when it opened in the 1950s.

Alma Massolo, who later married Silvio, said that he presented flowers to SFO’s one millionth passenger. He later sold his interest to Baragno to join Emilio in the Massolo real estate firm. His last business venture was a partnership with Millbrae Lumber, which he managed until retiring in 1987. David, their son, currently oversees the company.

“Silvio has seen Millbrae grow from a few farm families to a city with a population of more than 21,000, where home and business developments pushed out the farms,” said Massolo. He passed away in 2004.

Today, the building continues to stand strong with its original beauty. It is operated by residents and businesses. Two beauty parlors occupy the ground level, an acupuncture clinic and a hotdog shop that has been open for 40 years. It is the eighth landmark under the .