John Wesley Boulware lived in Mayfield from 1861 to 1894. On his 160-acre ranch in Santa Clara Valley, he grew a variety of crops, from wheat to berries. He was a Mayfield school board trustee and served on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. As a supervisor, Boulware was involved in laying out the route of Embarcadero Road. Boulware Park was first called South Palo Alto Neighborhood Park.