San Rafael, California

The city of San Rafael is the county seat of Marin County, California. Located north of San Francisco, San Rafael has a current population of about 57,700. Originally founded as a mission hospital for Native Americans in 1917, the mission was abandoned in 1844 when California fell under Mexican control. The current Mission San Rafael Arcangel, a city landmark, is a reproduction built in 1949. San Rafael’s top employers include Kaiser Permanente Medical, Autodesk, Inc., Westamerica Bank, and Dominican University.

San Rafael began to develop in the late 19th century. Railroads were established in 1879, with national rail connections laid in 1888. Early businesses included lumberyards and mills, a slaughterhouse, meat markets and blacksmith shops. As the city grew, a variety of shops, laundries, saloons and gambling halls added to the bustle. Wealthy businessmen built grand homes in the Victorian style. Around the mid-20th century, San Rafael began to develop as center for the high-tech and film production industries. Fairchild Semiconductor located its new diode plant in San Rafael in 1960. Ten years later, George Lucas began developing a cluster of sound and effects production companies to create his movies. Skywalker Ranch, Lucas's 4700-acre property, is currently home to Skywalker Sound, and was also the headquarters of his visual effects company, Industrial Light and Magic, until it moved to San Francisco in 2002. In recent years, many of these companies have relocated, and the economy in San Rafael has become more focused on education and service industries.

San Rafael has a lengthy history of industry and construction, much of it during a period when asbestos-containing materials were widely used. Workers exposed to such materials may be at risk for asbestos cancer. Mesothelioma clinics in and around San Rafael are listed at the bottom of this page. If you were exposed to asbestos in San Rafael and have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should also consider contacting an asbestos law firm.

Jobsites in San Rafael where Asbestos Exposure Occurred

A number of jobsites in San Rafael, CA have been identified as harboring asbestos containing materials. These sites, at one point in their history, were known to have exposed a variety of tradesmen to asbestos. We will be documenting in more detail how asbestos exposure occurred at these sites in the future on this web site.

Mesothelioma Cancer Centers Near San Rafael, CA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma cancer centers that are located within a 100 mile radius of San Rafael, CA. Please click on a cancer center link to obtain more information about the clinical programs offered, professional designations, areas of expertise and how to contact the center.

Mesothelioma Doctors Near San Rafael, CA

For your convenience we have compiled a list of mesothelioma doctors who are located within a 100 mile radius of San Rafael, CA. Please click on a doctor link to obtain more information about his/her background, areas of expertise, professional affiliations and office locations.