Where Corte Madera is
Corte Madera sits between Larkspur to the north and Mill Valley and Tiburon to the south. The town covers 4.4 square miles, and more than a quarter of that is water along the bay shore.
The land was part of Rancho Corte Madera del Presidio, granted to John Reed in 1834. Reed logged the redwoods and shipped the lumber to San Francisco by way of Corte Madera Creek. The North Pacific Coast Railroad came through by 1875, and the town incorporated in 1916. The population grew fast after the Golden Gate Bridge opened in 1937.
Shopping and the old town
The Village at Corte Madera and Town Center at Corte Madera, on either side of Highway 101, are the town's two shopping centers.
The older part of town is around Old Corte Madera Square and Menke Park, near the former railroad station. Holy Innocents church, built in 1901, still stands at the corner of the square. Christmas Tree Hill rises behind it.
Police
Corte Madera merged its police department with Larkspur's in 1980. In 2013 that agency joined with San Anselmo's to form the Central Marin Police Authority.
Schools
The Larkspur-Corte Madera School District serves most of the town for elementary and middle school. Redwood High School in Larkspur is the public high school. A part of Corte Madera is in the Reed Union School District.
Town government and services
Town Hall is at 300 Tamalpais Drive, and the main number is (415) 927-5050. The Town of Corte Madera website has a staff directory along with pages for planning, building, public works and parks and recreation. For emergencies call 911. Contacts for every town are on the Marin County government and services page.
Local businesses in Corte Madera
The Marin County business directory sorts local businesses by trade. Corte Madera listings will appear there as each category is researched and checked.