1535Government
In 1535, the Spanish empire established the kingdom of New Spain, which inherited the empire's claims to much of what is now the western United States.
1542Economy
In 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo explored the Pacific coast near what is today Millbrae, though the expedition did not see the Golden Gate or the San Francisco Bay, likely due t...
1595History
In 1595, Philip II of Spain tasked Sebastião Rodrigues Soromenho with mapping the west coast of the Americas.
1596History
Seeking the fastest route south, the expedition failed to notice the Golden Gate, arriving at Puerto de Chacala, Mexico on January 17, 1596.
1601History
=== 1600s ===
In 1601, New Spain tasked Sebastián Vizcaíno with mapping the California coastline in detail and locating safe harbors in Alta California for Manila Galleons to us...
1602History
In 1602, members of Vizcaíno's expedition explored as far north as Coos Bay, however like previous expeditions, they missed the Golden Gate.
1603Economy
In 1603, this expedition landed in Monterey Bay, about 50 miles southeast of Millbrae, leading to the first documented interaction between the Ohlone people and European explorers.
1769Government
Between 1769 and 1824 a total of 21 missions were established across Alta California.
1770Government
Gaspar de Portolá returned to the Bay Area the following year, accompanied by Junípero Serra, who established Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo—the second Spanish mission i...
1776Government
The sixth Spanish mission in Alta California, Mission San Francisco de Asís was established on October 9, 1776, in what is today San Francisco's Mission District, about 10 miles...
1821History
The missions maintained authority over much of Alta California even after Mexico's independence from Spain 1821.
1824Government
The First Mexican Republic was established in 1824, and one of the most significant changes came when José María de Echeandía, Governor of Alta California, issued a "Proclamatio...
1847History
Settlement was slow however; in 1847 San Francisco was said to have only 459 residents.
1848Military
California came under American rule in 1848 following the Mexican–American War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and the Mexican Cession and California became the 31st state in ...
1850Government
San Francisco County was one of the state's 18 original counties established at California statehood in 1850, however in 1856, the California state government divided the county.
1863Infrastructure
The San Francisco and San Jose Railroad, predecessor to Caltrain, began operations in 1863, directly connecting Millbrae and other peninsula towns to Market Street, with service...
1872Architecture
In 1872, members of the Sánchez family built the original Sixteen Mile House, a historical restaurant and rest stop near the Mills estate, and direct link to Millbrae's early days.
1890Economy
=== 1900s ===
The early 20th century saw rapid growth in Millbrae's population, which increased 3692% from 243 in 1890 to 8,972 in 1950.
1904Infrastructure
Southern Pacific double tracked the SF&SJ railroad in 1904 and by the 1940s, 26 trains ran between SF and SJ per day, with headways as low as 5 minutes (traveling north) in the ...
1924Architecture
Construction on the Bayshore Freeway, which runs parallel to El Camino and the SF&SJ railroad tracks, began in 1924 and by 1929, it connected Millbrae with the East Bay via the ...
1927Infrastructure
The nearest National Weather Service station is at the nearby San Francisco International Airport, where records go back to early 1927.
1929Architecture
Millbrae's Green Hills Country Club was built in 1929 and designed by famed golf course architect Dr.
1930Economy
The course was originally known as the Union League Golf Club of San Francisco (1930 to 1933) and Millbrae Country Club (1933 to 1945).
1931Disaster
In 1931, citizens organized a volunteer fire department, which remained entirely volunteer until 1938.
1941Economy
Millbrae used a private patrol financed by fees from merchants and residents until 1941, when the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors created the Millbrae Police District.
1948Infrastructure
Additionally, until 1948, Muni's #40 "interurban" streetcar traveled through Millbrae, providing passenger rail service between San Francisco and San Mateo.
1950Education
Millbrae's high school students rode the streetcar to attend Burlingame High School until Capuchino High School opened on September 11, 1950.
1953Education
Trousdale Construction Company in 1953 and eventually becoming the location for Mills High School, Spring Valley Elementary School, and Peninsula Hospital.
1954Infrastructure
In the 1940s, a hilltop was shaved away to produce landfill for the expanding San Francisco Airport, which received an "international" designation in 1954 with the completion of...
1976History
Snow is very rare; the last measurable occurrence was on February 5, 1976.
2007History
MSD is state-funded and does not receive local property taxes, and has endured budget cuts from the state since 2007.
2010Architecture
Broadway, in 2010 a large surface parking lot with two small retail buildings across El Camino Real from Millbrae station was redeveloped as the Belamor Condo Buildings.
2012Disaster
== Police and fire ==
On March 4, 2012, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office took over responsibility for providing police services in Millbrae and closed the local police depa...
2014Disaster
On December 29, 2014, the City of Millbrae combined services with Central County Fire which provides fire services to the cities of Millbrae and Burlingame and the town of Hills...
2019Economy
According to the California Secretary of State, as of February 10, 2019, Millbrae has 12,850 registered voters.
2022Government
Prior to 2022, residents of the city voted for city council members at-large, however in 2022 Millbrae switched from at-large to district city council elections.
2023History
The median household income in 2023 was $157,567, and the per capita income was $76,277.
2024Government
Despite the Millbrae municipal code stipulating that "no one may serve in the office of mayor for two consecutive terms," the city council selected Anders Fung as mayor for the ...