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Health & Fitness

San Lorenzo Is My Hometown

Many people know San Lorenzo only through the limited perspective of driving down Hesperian Boulevard while trying to avoid congestion on the freeway.

They see the boarded businesses and abandoned lots, and assume that San Lorenzo is a town in decline. But if they took a moment to turn down the tree-lined side streets off Hesperian, they would see David D. Bohannon’s vision of San Lorenzo Village.

Bohannon, a San Francisco native, started out as a real estate broker in San Carlos and by the age of 35 had become a respected leader in real estate development.

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Bohannon didn’t just envision houses, but entire communities, complete with shopping, recreation, churches and schools.  He viewed his houses as “homes to be lived in, homes to take pride in, and homes to build a future in.”

His methods of mass production, similar to those used by William Levitt, builder of Levittown, America’s best-known suburban development, kept prices affordable for the working class. Although the floor plans were nearly identical, by using different finishes and facades there was enough distinction in the homes to keep them from looking identical. 

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Bohannon’s talent for promotion can be seen in the 10-minute video that accompanies this column. Although archaic by today’s standards, his message of “creating a community to provide a perfect environment for family life” still rings true today.

Driving through the neighborhoods of San Lorenzo Village is like stepping back in time.  If it weren’t for the modern cars in the driveway, a person could imagine themselves back in the day when milk was delivered to the porch, doors were left unlocked, and children played hide-and-seek under the street lights.

It’s been over 60 years since David D. Bohannon turned 350 acres of farmland into “an ideal community in which to raise children and enjoy life.”  His vision became a reality and a lasting legacy for everyone who has ever lived in his homes, taken pride in his homes and built a future in his homes.

San Lorenzo is so much more than what can be seen driving down Hesperian Boulevard. 

San Lorenzo is my hometown.

Watch David D. Bohannon Video



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