Roger Reynolds

133 Encinal Avenue

On September 3, 2013, Sally Halstead announced that Roger Reynolds Nursery and Charriage Stop has permanently closed. See refs 8-10 below.

Roger Reynolds, originally a printer in San Francisco, purchased 18 acres of land on El Camino Real at Encinal Ave in 1919. He had a house on the property where he lived, but the bulk of the property was developed into a nursery specializing in field-grown ornamentals for peninsula estates. During the Depression, part of the property was used as a picnic-park that families from the City enjoyed using. He also ran a print shop and later a wool shop. In 1930 Roger married Paulene Sparrow, who had a daughter Phyllis from an earlier marriage. Roger was killed in an auto accident in 1932 (or was it 1937?), possibly due to a heart attack. Paulene then took over the operation the nursery.

A small cottage near Roger's house on the property was initially used for guests, later it housed Paulene's wool shop, and then was operated as Edy's Candies, Ice Cream and Soda shop. (Edy's also had another location in the nearby Town and Country Shopping Center.) In 1975 Roger's step-daughter Phyllis and her two children bought out Pauline. A new retail nursery building was built on Encinal close to the train tracks and the small cottage was moved next to them, allowing a large portion of the property along El Camino to be sold or leased. The cottage was converted into the Carriage Shop specializing in plants and garden boutique gift items. The shop was initially operated by Sally Halstead, the step-granddaughter, while her brother, Frank Halstead, managed the nursery. A little later (1978?), Sally and her brother bought out their mother, and then about 1990 Sally bought out her brother, becoming the sole owner of the business.

Sally Halstead continues to own and operate the nursery, which today includes 2 acres of land on Encinal Avenue. It is the oldest nursery on the Peninsula.

Roger Reynolds step-granddaughter, Sally Halstead, has been the proprietor since 1978. The photo below of her with Sophie is from ref 2.

Refs:

1) [Centennial pp. 66, 74]

2) Roger Reynolds website, About Us

3) A Retrospective by Phyllis Reynolds Fuller, published by Roger Reynolds Nursery (1994)

4) Sally Halstead, Gentry (October-November 1995)

5) Roger Reynolds Nursery Moves to New Spot, Menlo-Atherton Recorder (Oct. 1, 1975)

6) Nursery of the Month: Roger Reynolds Nursery, publisher unknown (about 1969)

7) 85 Years with Roger Reynolds Nursery, The Gate Post, Vol. XXIX, No. 3 (May/June 2004)

8) Roger Reynolds Nursery and Carriage Stop closes after 97 years in Menlo Park, InMenlo.com (9/4/2013)

9) Menlo Park: Roger Reynolds Nursery closes after 97 years, The Almanac Online (9/4/2013)

10) Roger Reynolds newsletter (no date) and announcement of closing

Last updated: 16 March 2013