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Petaluma's first millionaire built a business one brick at a time at this San Rafael beach

Marin history and our Zillow listing of the week

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Marin Buzz
September 01, 2025

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The McNear family has many landmarks named after them, including McNear’s Saloon right next to the Mystic Theatre in Petaluma (more on that building that dates to 1886). But we care about Marin County here, so we are going to focus on McNear’s Beach in San Rafael.

John A. McNear made his fortune in Petaluma, building a diversified empire in shipping, grain, milling, and banking to become the town's first millionaire. Then in 1868, he started a brickworks on the San Pablo Bay east of San Rafael.

The unique quality of McNear bricks came from the local geology. The clay beds on the San Pedro Peninsula were rich in shale, which, when fired, created an incredibly dense and durable brick. The final product was famous for its distinctive deep red and often purplish hues, known as "McNear Reds," which were sought after for major construction projects throughout the Bay Area (you can see them at San Rafael City Hall and Public Library).

To efficiently move materials, the McNears built their own private, narrow-gauge railroad, the "San Pablo Bay Railroad." This rail line connected the clay quarries in the hills to the brickworks and then ran out onto long wharves, allowing for the direct loading of finished bricks onto ships in San Pablo Bay.

Very little physical evidence of this long-ago business remains, but McNears Beach will forever bear his name. Today the fishing pier stands where the massive wharves that supported railway cars full of bricks once stood.

Did you know McNear Brick & Block still exists as a business near McNear’s Beach? You can still buy bricks and pavers from the company that dates to 1868!

Stinson - Facility Dog (Reading and therapy techniques)

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This is a custom home not far from Archie Williams High in San Anselmo. It features a beautiful solar-heated pool renovated in 2018.

But the best part has to be the covered deck overlooking the pool. It’s something you see more often in Hawaii, but California can pull off the outdoor living room as well. There are built-in fans and an overhead heater to keep you comfortable year-round.

Is 1,879 sq. ft. too small? Don’t worry, there are approved architectural plans for a second-story addition.

Check it out:

Thanks for reading. We will be back with the regular events and activities email Wednesday morning!

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