For centuries, the banks of San Francisquito Creek, in Northern California, were part of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe’s homeland. In 1769, explorer Gaspar de Portolá passed through, later establishing Spanish missions in the area. A road connecting the missions was built over the creek, which, in the mid-1800s became a highway. A railroad followed, and a town developed on one side of the tracks grew into a city. On the other side, the railroad tycoon Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane, established Stanford University in honor of their son, Leland…
