"See You at the 7: Stories from the bay area’s last original mile house"
—- A 7 Mile House History Book
7 Mile House, Brisbane's oldest establishment and building celebrates its intriguing history and how it came to be everyone’s favorite home “in the middle of nowhere” in it’s own history book.
In 2004, Vanessa Garcia purchased the 7 Mile House, a dark dive in the outskirts of Brisbane and unaware of its history, the countless stories contained within its walls—and that, for the better part of the last 160 years, it was home to thousands of locals and travelers of all colors and persuasions.
Vanessa’s first realizations that the place had any historical importance was a faded photograph of the bar, attributed to the late 19th century. Who were the people in the photo? Were their descendants still alive? And how did Albert Flynn, from whom she had bought the restaurant and who people said had worked for notorious bookmaker Ronald “The Cigar” Sacco, acquire it?
Over the years, Vanessa tried—unsuccessfully—to piece together fragments and information about her restaurant, to fill in unanswered gaps and mysteries about 7 Mile House, while indefatigably breathing back life into her fledgling business.
It was a fourteen-year long journey that culminated in 2018 with 7 Mile House’s 160th anniversary and the launch of Vanessa’s self-published book “See You At The 7 - Stories From the Bay Area's Last Original Mile House.”
In this first-ever comprehensive narrative on “The 7,” as it came to be called in the 1950s, Vanessa traces its roots from 1858, when it began as a toll gate carved along the bayside of San Bruno mountain; to a saloon, hotel, and wheelman’s exchange in the early 1900s; to an illegal gambling den in the years leading up to Prohibition; to a melting pot of carefree workers from Southern Pacific Railroad in the 1940s and S.E. Rykoff in the 1980s; to the largest illegal sports gambling syndicate West of the Mississippi; to the family and dog-friendly restaurant, sports bar, and live music venue that it is today.
Culled from weeks’ worth of interviews, and many hours in the archives of San Mateo, San Francisco, and Sacramento Counties and photographic collections, the finished product is a richly-illustrated, deeply personal book about how an extraordinary place has withstood the fickle tides of history while remaining true to its essence: a home to come back to when the days are just too rough—or when hearts are exploding with a joy that must be shared among people you choose to call family.
The book is co-authored by award-winning editor Regina Abuyuan, with a foreword by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Carl Nolte (Native Son).
“See You at the 7” is still available at local libraries and bookstores and the eBook is now available on Amazon Kindle HERE. You can also ask to borrow our house copy while you’re visiting our restaurant.
The first print edition 'See You at the 7' is available for purchase at City Lights Bookstore, and the California Historical Society gift shop.
Cousins & Co-Authors
Vanessa Garcia & Regina Abuyuan
In 2020, the book became especially important for Vanessa as her best friend, cousin and co-author, Regina Abuyuan, suddenly passed away just two years after their book was published. “See You at the 7” was the last book Regina published and the cousins’ first and last literary collaboration. Regina will never be forgotten for her literary prowess, her kindness, selflessness and the loud laughs both cousins shared for 40+ years.
Book Events
Vanessa has presented about Bay Area mile houses and the book 'See You At the 7' at The California Historical Society, SF History Days, San Francisco History Association, and South San Francisco Library, Daly City History Association, Brisbane Library, and San Francisco Library (main branch).
If you’d like Vanessa to speak at your event, click here to inquire inquiries.
“Thank you so much for an amazing presentation. It was one of our most fun, lively, community feeling events.”
“It was a great presentation, Vanessa was very engaging and personable. We all loved it!”
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