Beginning with Native American encampments on the slopes and valleys of
San Bruno Mountain, through Spanish occupation and Mexican land grants,
to today's vibrant suburban community, Brisbane's story is an intriguing
one. The town was either named for newspaperman Arthur Brisbane, or for
the Australian coastal city of Brisbane, depending on the story. During
the Great Depression, many people wanting to escape crowded San
Francisco for a simpler, less urban life found it in Brisbane, which
began with dairies and ranches and gradually grew up along the hillsides
radiating from Visitacion Avenue. Brisbane has always been known for its
spirit of independence, and the people here have been able to
participate in small-town democracy more fully than in larger cities.