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GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01717 2070
GENEALOGY 979.401 AL1B v.1
JOSEPH E. BAKER
PAST AND PRESENT OF
ALAMEDA COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
JOSEPH E. BAKER EDITOR
VOLUME I
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1914
1131897 CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
UNDER SPAIN AND MEXICO
DISCOVERY OF THE BAY OF SAN FRANCISCO-THE PORTOLA EXPEDITION-THE EXPEDITION OF CAPTAIN BAUTISTA-THE FIRST SETTLEMENT AT MISSION SAN JOSE-THE EXPEDITION OF 1775-THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MISSIONS- THE LIBERATION OF THE INDIANS-THE INDIANS OF CONTRA COSTA-THE
PRESIDIO-THE NATIVE CALIFORNIANS 7 .
CHAPTER II SPANISH AND MEXICAN LAND GRANTS
THE EARLY LAND GRANTS AND RANCHOS-THE PERALTA GRANT-THE PERALTA FAMILY-EARLY HISPANO-MEXICAN FAMILIES-TABLE OF LAND CLAIMS. ... 27
CHAPTER III THE AMERICAN SETTLERS
THE ADVENT OF JEDEDIAH S. SMITH-THE COMING OF THE AMERICANS-THE FIRST AMERICAN SETTLERS-THE TRANSFORMATION FROM RANCHO TO FARM -THE SQUATTERS-THE LITIGATION-"THE PRE-EMPTIONER'S LEAGUE"- THE REDWOODS-VILLAGES ARE FOUNDED 41
CHAPTER IV THE WATER FRONT CONVEYANCE
THE ORDINANCE FOR THE DISPOSAL OF OAKLAND'S WATER FRONT-THE CITIZENS' RIOT-FORMATION OF THE OAKLAND WATER FRONT COMPANY-YEARS OF WATER FRONT LITIGATION- THE STATE BECOMES THE OWNER OF. THE WATER FRONT-WATER FRONT IMPROVEMENTS-FINAL SETTLEMENT IS REACHED .. 55
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER V
TRANSPORTATION
THE FIRST RAILROAD-THE FIRST FERRIES-THE FIRST STREET RAILWAY- TRAFFIC BETWEEN THE EAST SIDE OF THE BAY AND SAN FRANCISCO BECOMES HEAVY-MANY FRANCHISES ARE GRANTED-THE PIEDMONT CABLE ROAD IS COMPLETED-ELECTRIC ROADS ARE RAPIDLY BUILT-INTERURBAN ELECTRIC RAILROADS ARE CONSTRUCTED -THE VARIOUS STREET RAILWAYS ARE CONSOLI- DATED-THE ENTRY OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC RAILROAD-GREAT IMPROVE- MENTS PLANNED AND CARRIED OUT.
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CHAPTER VI
THE COUNTY BOARD
ALAMEDA COUNTY IS CREATED-THE FIRST COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE CHOSEN- ALVARADO, THE FIRST COUNTY SEAT-SAN LEANDRO BECOMES THE COUNTY SEAT-THE CREATION OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS-EARLY TRANS- ACTIONS OF THE BOARD-PUBLIC HIGHWAYS ARE CONSTRUCTED-FINAN-' CIAL CONDITION OF THE COUNTY IN 1872-OAKLAND BECOMES THE COUNTY SEAT -- THE ERECTION OF THE COUNTY BUILDINGS-THE COUNTY DEBT IN 1880-ANTI-CHINESE AGITATION-THE SALT INDUSTRY-ALAMEDA COUNTY IS REPRESENTED AT THE CHICAGO WORLD'S FAIR, 1893-IMMIGRATION IS ENCOURAGED-MANY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE-AN ERA OF RAPID GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT-ALAMEDA COUNTY IS AWARDED MEDALS AT THE ST. LOUIS WORLD'S FAIR, 1904- THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1906-FINANCIAL CON- DITION IN 1907-POPULATION IN 1910-THE PRESENT 89
CHAPTER VII
THE HARBOR, WEBSTER STREET BRIDGE, ETC.
EARLY HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS-THE OAKLAND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT COM- PANY-PROGRESS IS MADE-THE DEEP WATER IMPROVEMENTS-THE WEB- STER STREET BRIDGE-THE EIGHTH STREET BRIDGE . 121
CHAPTER VIII MILITARY AFFAIRS
THE FIRST MILITARY COMPANY-THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR-THE FIRST CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEER REGIMENT COMES INTO LIFE-THE OAKLAND GUARD IS FORMED OTIIER HOME GUARD COMPANIES ARE ORGANIZED-ALAMEDA COUNTY CONTRIBUTES LIBERALLY TO THE UNION CAUSE-ALAMEDA COUNTY COMPANIES IN THE NATIONAL GUARD OF CALIFORNIA-G. A. R. POSTS IN ALAMEDA COUNTY-ANNUAL MEETING OF THE G. A. R. IN 1886-ALAMED.\ COUNTY IN THE SPANISHI-AMERICAN WAR-THE PATRIOTIC SONS OF ALAMEDA .129
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER IX
HEALTH AND DISEASE, MEDICINE, ETC.
THE ALAMEDA COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION-THE COUNTY INFIRMARY IS ESTABLISHED-THE FIRST BOARD OF HEALTH-SANITARY CONDITIONS ARE IMPROVED-THE DEATH RATE-THE OAKLAND GENERAL HOSPITAL-THE OAKLAND COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS IS FOUNDED-THE NEW MERRITT HOSPITAL IS OPENED-RECAPITULATION . 143
CHAPTER X
THE COURTS, BENCH AND BAR, ETC.
THE CREATION OF THE COURTS-EARLY CLAIMS AND LAW SUITS-EARLY CRIM- INAL ACTS-EARLY COUNTY OFFICIALS-SHERIFF MORSE-ATTORNEYS PRAC- TICING IN THE EARLY DAY COURTS-ORGANIZATION OF THE BAR ASSOCIA- TIONS-LATER DAY CIVIL AND CRIMINAL CASES-LATER DAY JUDGES AND. ATTORNEYS-THE JUVENILE COURT COMES INTO EXISTENCE-THE LEGAL PROFESSION OF TODAY
.157
CHAPTER XI
FARMING, FRUIT-GROWING, STOCK-RAISING, ETC.
THE FOUR PERIODS OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT-FORMATION OF THE ALAMEDA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-THE IMMENSE GRAIN FIELDS OF THE SIXTIES AND SEVENTIES-THE GRAPE COMES INTO ITS OWN-THE LIVER- MORE VALLEY VINEYARDS-THOUSANDS OF ACRES ARE PLANTED TO ORCHARD- THE FRUIT-GROWERS UNION IS ORGANIZED-ALAMEDA COUNTY BECOMES FAMOUS AS A GROWER OF FRUIT-THE BEET SUGAR INDUSTRY-APRICOTS AND CHERRIES-PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PESTS-ALAMEDA, THE COUNTY BEAUTI- FUL 177
CHAPTER XII
POLITICS
EARLY POLITICAL PARTIES, CONVENTIONS AND ELECTIONS-THE CAMPAIGN OF 1875-THE ANTI-CHINESE MOVEMENT-LATER CONVENTIONS AND ELECTIONS -THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN SYSTEM OF VOTING-WOMAN SUFFRAGE BECOMES AN ISSUE-THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE-THE WATER QUES- TION-THE PRESENT DAY POLITICAL SITUATION
193
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIII
WOMEN'S WORK, TEMPERANCE, PHILANTHROPY, SUFFRAGE, ETC.
THE ORGANIZATION OF THE OAKLAND LADIES' RELIEF SOCIETY-THE FOUNDA- TION OF THE EBELL SOCIETY-OTHER EARLY WOMEN'S SOCIETIES-KINDER- GARTENS ARE ESTABLISHED-HOMES AND OTHER CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS ARE FOUNDED-BIRTH OF THE SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATED CHARITIES-ACTIVI- TIES OF THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION-THE CAMPAIGN FOR WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE-THE PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENT WORK. . . .247
CHAPTER XIV ART, LITERATURE, ETC.
ALAMEDA COUNTY EARLY BECOMES A MECCA FOR ARTISTS-ARTISTS OF THE EARLY DAYS-EARLY MUSICAL CLUBS AND SOCIETIES-EARLY ART EXHIBITS- ALAMEDA SINGERS BECOME WORLD FAMOUS-JOAQUIN MILLER-WILLIAM KEITH-THE MIDWINTER EXPOSITION-THE STARR KING FRATERNITY- MUSICAL, ART AND LITERARY SOCIETIES OF THE PRESENT DAY . ..... .263
CHAPTER XV AMUSEMENTS, LODGES, SOCIETIES, GAMES, ETC.
BULLFIGHTS, HORSE RACES AND FANDANGOS-EARLY LODGES AND SECRET SOCIE- TIES THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ALAMEDA COUNTY PIONEERS ASSOCIATION -BASEBALL TEAMS OF THE SEVENTIES-HORSE RACING IS POPULAR-OTHER AMUSEMENTS OF THE EARLY DAY-THE TUOLUMNE REUNIONS-BASEBALL BECOMES THE POPULAR SPORT-THE CALIFORNIA JOCKEY CLUB-FAMOUS HORSES THAT RACED AT PLEASANTON-THE FIRST AUTOMOBILE RACES-THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHLETICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA.
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CHAPTER XVI EDUCATION
THE FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE-THE EARLY SCHOOLS-THE FIRST SCHOOL COMMIS- SIONERS-ACADEMIES AND CONVENTS-ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT OF 1861- LATER DAY SCHOOLS, ACADEMIES, COLLEGES, CONVENTS AND INSTITUTIONS- SCHOOL CENSUS OF 1885-THE ALAMEDA COUNTY TEACHERS' INSTITUTE- PLAYGROUNDS ARE ESTABLISHED-SCHOOLS OF THE PRESENT DAY-THE UNI- VERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-THE UNIVERSITY IS ESTABLISHED-THE SITE IS SELECTED-THE FIRST SESSION-THE UNIVERSITY GROWS-THE BENARD PLAN OF BUILDING EXTENSION-NEW BUILDINGS ERECTED UNDER THE BENARD PLAN-UNIVERSITY EXTENSION WORK IS UNDERTAKEN-THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGES-THE DEGREES CONFERRED-IIIGHER INSTRUCTION-THE UNIVER- SITY IN ATHLETICS-TIIE UNIVERSITY RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE FOREMOST IN THE UNITED STATES .287
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CONTENTS CHAPTER XVII
RELIGION
THE FIRST AMERICAN CHURCH-THE EARLY CHURCHES-REVIVAL MEETINGS OF THE EARLY DAYS-THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-THE PRESENT DAY CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY .3II
CHAPTER XVIII ALAMEDA
THE DAY OF THE RANCHOS-THE FIRST FRAME DWELLING HOUSE-THE TOWN GROWS-THE EARLY CITIZENS-THE TOWN OF ALAMEDA IS INCORPORATED- THE FIRST FERRY BEGINS OPERATIONS-REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS-PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS-THE ALAMEDA IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION-FINANCIAL-
THE NEW CHARTER -- THE CITY OF TODAY
323
CHAPTER XIX BERKELEY
OCEAN VIEW-THE UNIVERSITY IS ESTABLISHED-WEST BERKELEY-EARLY
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS-SCHOOLS ARE ESTABLISHED-REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS OF THE PERIOD-THE ONE MILE LIMIT-BERKELEY GROWS RAPIDLY-MANY BEAUTIFUL HOMES ARE ERECTED-EXTENSIVE PUBLIC IM- PROVEMENTS ARE PLANNED AND EXECUTED THE CITY ENJOYS A WHOLE- SOME REAL ESTATE BOOM-THE CITY UNDER THE NEW CHARTER-BERKELEY, THE CITY BEAUTIFUL. .343
CHAPTER XX OAKLAND
THE FIRST SETTLER-THOSE THAT FOLLOWED-THE SQUATTERS AND THE TROU- BLE THAT ENSUED-THE FIRST HOTEL-A DUEL IS FOUGHT-THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT-THE FIRST NEWSPAPER IS PUBLISHED-"AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE CITY OF OAKLAND"-EARLY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS- THE POPULATION DOUBLES-FINANCIAL STATEMENT, 1871-72-THE FREE LIBRARY IS ORGANIZED-SITES ARE PURCHASED AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS ERECTED-THE CITY BOUNDARIES ARE EXTENDED-THE EARLY PRESS OF OAK- LAND-THE CITY ENJOYS A PERIOD OF RAPID GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT- VALUE OF CITY PROPERTY IN 1878-IMPORTANT INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS OF 1883-TIIE "GREATER OAKLAND" MOVEMENT-THE CARNEGIE LIBRARY IS DEDICATED-THE OAKLAND CLEARING HOUSE GOES INTO OPERATION-CLEAR- ING HOUSE SUMMARY AND BANK STATEMENTS-BUILDING PERMITS OF 1905-06-MANY PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE-THE NEW CHARTER GOES INTO EFFECT-THE NEW CITY HALL-THE OAKLAND OF TODAY. .355
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CONTENTS CHAPTER XXI
THE SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS
LIVERMORE-PLEASANTON-SUNOL-DOUGHERTY-DUBLIN-OTHER TOWNS OF THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY-THE TOWNS OF WASHINGTON TOWN- SHIP - NILES - CENTERVILLE - NEWARK - ALVARADO - IRVINGTON- DECOTO-MISSION SAN JOSE-WARM SPRINGS-HAYWARD-SAN LEANDRO SAN LORENZO-MOUNT EDEN-PIEDMONT-EMERYVILLE-ALBANY-RICH- MOND
441
History of Alameda County
CHAPTER I
UNDER SPAIN AND MEXICO
The discovery of the Bay of San Francisco was due to the determination of King Carlos III of Spain to occupy and colonize Alta California and was the joint work of both church and state. In this movement Jose de Galvez repre- sented the state-a man of great energy and ability, the visitador-general of New Spain. He arrived at La Paz in July, 1768, and at once began an inspection of the peninsular missions and after supplying their wants and putting them in prosperous condition, he turned his attention to his principal duty-the coloniza- tion of Alta California, now known merely as California. The first movement was an expedition both by land and sea to San Diego and Monterey, and three ships were dispatched to carry to those points all the heavier articles, such as agricultural implements, church ornaments and the bulky provisions of all sorts for the soldiers and the priests after their arrival. The expedition by land drove cattle and horses to the two objective points. The expedition was divided into two detachments, one going in advance under the command of Captain Rivera y Moncada, who had been in the country many years, and the other under the command of Gov. Gaspar de Portolá, who had recently arrived from Spain. Captain Rivera first collected from the peninsular missions all the live stock and supplies that could be spared and conveyed them to Santa Maria, which then was the most northerly of the established missions. Large quantities of provisions were collected at La Paz, and Father Serra visited all the missions and secured much church furniture, sacred ornaments and vestments.
The first vessel sent northward on this expedition was the San Carlos, which sailed from La Paz, January 9, 1769, under the command of Vicente Vila. On board in addition to the crew were twenty-five Catalonian soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Fages, a surgeon Pedro Prat, a Franciscan friar, a baker, two blacksmiths, a cook and two tortilla makers. Galvez in a small vessel accompanied the San Carlos as far as Cape San Lucas, where he landed and fitted out the San Antonio for the same expedition. On February 15th, this vessel under the command of Juan Perez sailed from San Jose del Cabo and on it went two Franciscan friars-Juan Viscaino and Francisco Gomez. For this movement Captain Rivera y Moncada collected cattle and supplies at Velicata on the north- ern frontier. It was from this point on the frontier that Captain Rivera y Moncada with a squad of soldiers, a number of neophytes, three muleteers and Father Crespi, began the movement to San Diego on March 24, 1769. The
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
second land expedition began its march from Loreto on March 9, 1769, and was commanded by Gov. Gaspar de Portolá, who was joined at Santa Maria on May 5th by Father Serra, and in due time they reached the camp of the first expedition at Velicata, which had recently been vacated. Here Father Serra founded a mission and called it San Fernando and left Father Campa Cay in charge. One of the objects of the establishment of this mission was to provide a frontier post on the route between the peninsular missions and the proposed settlements and missions of Alta California. On May 15th, Portola marched northward along the trail marked out by Rivera. The San Antonio was the first vessel to arrive at San Diego, where it cast anchor April II, 1769, after an unsuccessful voyage of twenty-four days. After a voyage of one hundred days the San Carlos reached San Diego bay, all her crew sick with the scurvy, with scarcely a person well enough to man a boat. All were taken ashore and kept under care in tents where fully half of the soldiers and nine of the sailors finally died. Previons to all this the Rivera detachment arrived, making the land journey from Velicata in fifty- one days. On July Ist, the second detachment of the land expedition arrived. All the four divisions of the expedition-the two vessels and the two land detach- ments-were now at San Diego. Of the 219 persons who had set out only 126 remained, all the others having died or deserted.
Upon taking a summary of the conditions it was found that neither of the vessels was equal to the voyage to Monterey, the next objective point ; where- upon it was concluded to send the San Antonio back to San Blas for more sailors and supplies to man the San Carlos. She sailed on July 9th, reached her destina- tion in twenty days, but during the voyage one-half of the crew died of scurvy. With both vessels unable to proceed the entire responsibility of carrying out the mandates of the king rested upon the land expedition. Resolutely Governor Portolá began to organize and prepare his forces for the overland march. He moved forward on July 14th with a total force of sixty-two persons, including himself, Fathers Crespi and Gomez, Captain Rivera y Moncada, Lieut. Pedro Fages, Engineer Miguel Constansó and soldiers, muleteers and Indian servants. Two days after his departure Fathers Junipero, Viscaino and Parron founded the mission of San Diego.
The two detachments were united and marched northward in one body. They carried one hundred packs of provisions which were deemed necessary to ration the expedition for six months and until the vessels could become refitted and could return with additional supplies. At the head marched the commander and the other officers accompanied by six Catalonian soldiers and a small band of friendly Indians provided with spades, axes, mattocks and crowbars to open the way when necessary. Then came the pack train divided into four detach- ments. In the rear were the other troops and friendly Indians and the horse herd and mule herd reserves, all under the command of Rivera. Necessarily the march was slow, because the trail had to be cleared and the country studied in reference to supplies of good water and available pastures. Multitudes of Indians appeared and accompanied them along stages of the march. As they advanced it was noted that the lands became more fertile and the landscape more pleasing and alluring. The Indians were affable and tractable. The Sierra y Santa Lucia was crossed with great difficulty. They reached the Point of Pines on October Ist, and at first thought they had reached the Port of Monterey. An
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
investigation revealed their mistake, whereupon they resumed their march north- ward. Many were now sick with the scurvy and to add to the gravity of the situation the rains began and an epidemic of diarrhea broke out and spread to all without exception. When the outlook seemed darkest all suddenly began to get well and in a short time were restored to health, no doubt by an improve- ment in the water and other health conditions.
Bay of San Francisco was thus described by Constansó: "The last day of October the expedition by land came in sight of Port de los Reyes and the Faral- lones of the Port of San Francisco whose landmarks compared with those related by the log of the Pilot Cabrera Bueno were found exact. Thereupon it became of evident knowledge that the Port of Monterey had been left behind; there being few who stuck to the contrary opinion. Nevertheless the commandant resolved to send a detachment to reconnoiter the land as far as Port de los Reyes. The scouts, who were commissioned for this purpose, found themselves obstructed by immense estuaries which run extraordinarily far back into the land and were obliged to make great detours to get around the heads of these. *
* * Having arrived at the end of the first estuary and reconnoitered the land that would have to be followed to arrive at the Point de los Reyes, inter- rupted with new estuaries, scant pasturage and firewood and having recognized, besides this, the uncertainty of the news and the misapprehension the scouts had labored under, the commandant with the advice of his officers, resolved upon a retreat to the Point of Pines in hopes of finding the Port of Monterey and encountering in it the packet San Jose or the San Antonio whose succor already was necessary, since of the provisions which had been taken in San Diego no more remained than some few sacks of flour of which a short ration was issued to each individual daily."
It appears, then, that the Portolá expedition reached Point Corral de Tierra on October 30, (1769) and formed a camp at Half Moon bay. Father Crespi named the headland to the westward Point Guardian Angel, but the sailors called it Punta de Almeja or Mussel Point. A preliminary exploration of that vicinity revealed to the advance observers of the expedition, from a high ridge, Point Reyes and part of the Bay of San Francisco and the Farralones out seaward. A counter-march having been decided upon, it was concluded that before doing so an exploration of the surrounding country should be made. Accordingly Sergeant Ortega, in command of a squad of soldiers, was sent out to the hills to the northeastward with instructions to return at the expiration of three days. In the meantime, while awaiting his return the hunters of the expedition were per- mitted to roam throughout the region in quest of game. On November 2nd, several of them returned with the report that they had discovered a vast and beautiful bay extending far inland, and on the 3rd, upon the return of the Ortega party, this important discovery was fully confirmed and was heralded with the discharge of musketry, the shouts of the expedition, the waving of flags and other evidences of satisfaction and joy.
The whole expedition prepared on the following day to advance and learn more of this discovery. Upon reaching the summit of the hills they saw before them the splendid bay which in their enthusiasm they compared with the Medi- terranean sea. They endeavored to pass around the southern arm in order to reach Point Reyes and on the evening of November 6th struck camp on San Fran-
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
cisquito creek near Menlo Park. Advance couriers sent out reported that the bay extended far to the southeastward, and it was then decided that, owing to their exhausted condition, the sickness that prevailed and the depleted state of their supplies and ammunition, they should return to Point of Pines, which was accordingly done, the return march commencing November 11th. They reached that point on November 27th and remained there until December 9th searching for the harbor of Monterey and waiting for the return of the schooners with stores and reinforcements. Not meeting with success in either of these objects they finally, on December 9th, began their weary march for San Diego.
The expedition of Captain Bautista, consisting of Lieutenant Fages, Father Crespi, twelve soldiers and two servants, left Monterey on March 20, 1772, and the same day reached the Salinas river, which at that time was the Santa Delfina. This is the first exploration of the region now comprised in the counties of Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa. Father Crespi's description of it is full and interesting. According to it, the explorers reached the San Benito on the 21st, near the present city of Hollister. On the 22d, after crossing the San Pascual plain into the San Francisco valley, they encamped a little to the north of the site now occupied by Gilroy. The next day they traveled to the northwest entering the so-called "Robles del Puerto de San Francisco" in Santa Clara valley, which Governor Portolá's expedition visited in 1769. The plan of the present exploration was to get to San Francisco under Punta de Reyes.
Pursuing their march, they were on San Leandro bay on the 26th. On the 27th they climbed the hills of the present East Oakland to round "an estuary which extends about four or five leagues inland" to San Antonio creek and Lake Peralta (Merritt) ; thence they got to the "mouth by which the two great estuaries communicate with the Ensenada de los Farallones." Tarrying on the site of the present Berkeley, and looking out through the entrance to the Bay of San Francisco, they saw three islands. The next day they "saw a round bay like a great lake"-San Pablo-and were prevented by the Strait of Car- quinez from rounding it. On the 30th they got to Arroyo de las Nueces, near Pacheco, and following their march finally camped at a short distance from the bank of a river "the largest that has been discovered in New Spain." They called it San Francisco, but its modern name is the San Joaquin. But on reach- ing the San Joaquin, as they were without means, either to cross the great rivers, having no boats, or to go round them for lack of men and supplies, they con- cluded to march back to Monterey by a shorter route. Passing through the valleys which now bear the names of San Ramon and Amador, they entered that of Sunol, calling the latter Santa Coleta ; thence approached the site where the mission San Jose was established later, and finally pitched their camp on the San Francisco de Paula stream, near the present Milpitas. After this they followed the same route they had come by the last march.
Alameda county was thus first explored by the Spaniards in 1772. The first spot settled in it by white men was the mission San Jose, begun on the 11th, and completed and dedicated on the 27th of June, 1797. The place was called by the Indians, Oroysom. The founder of the mission was Father Fernin Francisco de Lasuen, president of the Franciscan missionaries, in the presence of Fathers Isidoro Barcenilla and Agustin Merino, and of Sergt. Pedro Amador, and a detachment of soldiers from the San Francisco presidial company. Fathers
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Barcenilla and Merino were the first ministers, but the old records show that at the first baptism Father Magin Catala, of Santa Clara, officiated.
There is no evidence to show that any member of the Portolá expedition set foot in what is now Alameda county. They had no boats with them on the trip to the bay and did not pass around the southern arm, but of course could easily see the eastern or Alameda county shore.
Previous to 1775 no further attempt to explore the Bay of San Francisco or found a mission on its shores was made, but in that year Lieutenant Agala was ordered to make explorations there with the view of forming settlements. Rivera had examined the present site of San Francisco in 1769, as before narrated. In 1775 the Mexican authorities sent from Sonora to California, via the Colorado river, an expedition of 200 settlers with the expectation of forming a settlement at San Francisco, but was defeated in this attempt by the envious Rivera, who on September 17, 1776, established the presidio at what is now Fort Point, San Francisco. In all about one hundred and fifty persons assembled there. A church was built and on October 9, 1776, the mission was duly dedicated on the Laguna de los Dolores.
While dealing with the march of Capt. Juan Bautista, of the Portolá party, from Monterey, when seeking for San Francisco, Father Palou, California's first historian, makes mention of the region in which Alameda county is now located, in these words: "In the valley of San Jose, the party coming up by land, saw some animals which they took for cattle, though they could not imagine where they came from; and, supposing they were wild and would scatter the tame ones they were driving, the soldiers made after them and suc- ceeded in killing three, which were so large that a mule could with difficulty carry one, being of the size of an ox, and with horns like those of a deer, but so long that their tips were eight feet apart. This was their first view of the elk. The soldiers made the observation that they could not run against the wind by reason of their monstrous antlers." It is but reasonable to suppose that the valley called San Jose by Father Palou is that portion of the country situated at its southern end, where was subsequently erected the mission bearing that name. It is not likely that the Santa Clara valley was meant, for that district was then called San Bernardino, and the pueblo of San Jose was not estab- lished until November 29, 1777, while the holy father speaks of the year 1773; besides it is known that a portion of Murray township was long called El Valle de San Jose, and the gentle slope in what is now the district of Washington Corners, the Mission and Harrisburg was not infrequently designated the San Jose valley. Palou goes on to remark that "after the presidio and before the mission was established (in San Francisco) an exploration of the interior was organized, as usual, by sea (the bay) and land. Point San Pablo was given as the rendezvous, but the Captain of the presidio (Moraga), who undertook in person to lead the land party, failed to appear there, having, with a desire to shorten the distance, entered a cañon somewhere near the head of the bay, which took him over to the San Joaquin River. So he discovered that stream." Thus it is plain that one party proceeded down the San Mateo side of the bay. crossed over to its eastern shore, where, coming to the spot where now stands the hamlet of Niles, and, following the rocky banks of the Alameda creek, ultimately came into the Livermore valley, crossing which they emerged into
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