The Winner of the Half Moon Bay History Quiz is …

The Half Moon Bay History Association (HMBHA) submitted this historic photo and asked Half Moon Bay Patch readers last month to identify the scene in the picture.

The Half Moon Bay History Association judges all answers and all correct and likely answers are put into a random drawing. The winner of the drawing receives a prize: a copy of “Treasures of Half Moon Bay” walking guide to historic locations in town (usually sells for a $10 donation to the HMBHA).

Two people got the answer right: Tony Moorhouse and Ellen Chiri, who won the random drawing. Congratulations Ellen! She wrote in about the image: "Got to be R. Knapp of side-hill plow fame, in his side-hill-plow factory. Next to a saloon that burned them both down... Quinn's?"

Moorhouse offered up this detailed correct answer as well: "The picture is of a blacksmith shop. In the picture near the anvil the gentelman with the white shirts (just a guess) are from left to right Mr. P.P. Quinlan and Mr. R.I. Knapp both blacksmiths. Mr. Knapp came from New York to Spanish Town (Half Moon Bay) in 1871. Mr. Knapp invented the Side Hill Plow. He went into partnership with Mr. Quinland manufacturing the Side Hill Plow. In 1879 Mr. Knapp bought out Mr. Quinland. Mr. Knapp continued to operatate out of Quinlan's building. In 1880 a fire started in Knapps building. The fire spread next door to Quinlands Saloon. Both buildings were lost to the fire due to the lack of modern fire-fighting equipment. Mr. Knapp relocated and continued his business manufacturing the Side Hill Plow. A Knapp plow was given to the Smithsonian in Washington D.C."

Here’s what Dave Cresson of the Half Moon Bay History Association has to say about the photo:

"This wonderfully dated picture is typical of one of the enterprises that supported the otherwise purely farm culture of the Coastside. It also demonstrates one of the reasons that the community felt it was important to establish a fire department. Most local businesses were made of wood. This is The Quinlan Brothers Blacksmith Shop – July, 1911. Next door was the brothers’ saloon, The Star Saloon. Quinlan is the blacksmith. RI Knapp is not in the picture. We know the blacksmith and the adjoining Quinlan Star Saloon burned down. The picture is dated 1911 – but I am not sure when the fire was – but not 1880. There is always more to the history story."

Ellen, please e-mail Christa Bigue at christa.bigue@patch.com with your address so the folks at the Half Moon Bay History Association can mail you your prize!

Stay tuned for the next Half Moon Bay History Quiz courtesy of the Half Moon Bay History Association.

For more information about the Half Moon Bay History Association, located at 326 Main Street, Half Moon Bay, visitwww.HalfMoonBayHistory.orghttp://www.HalfMoonBayHistory.orgor call (650) 726-4468. The HMBHA is always looking for new members and volunteers. Annual dues are $25. Tell the stories, keep the records and be a part of how our Coastside came to become itself. Call or e-mail Info@HalfMoonBayHistory.org for a 2013 membership.