USA > California > Alameda County > The centennial year book of Alameda County, California : containing a summary of the discovery and settlement of California, a description of the Contra Costa under Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, biographical sketches of prominent pioneers and public men > Part 1
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
كمايلي ٠ جا ماً خارجعطية
Gc 979.401 Allha 1591508
N
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01717 2047
THE DIAMOND
MUSIC & JOB
PRINTING OFFICE.
J. E. WHITE, PROP.,
Twelfth Street, between Broadway and Washington, OAKLAND, CAL.
Having fitted up this office with entirely new material, we are prepared to do all classes of printing in the NEATEST and BEST manner possible.
A Specialty is made of Fine Colored Work.
420 Que Oakland Diamond Press
10,000 Copies issued monthly for free distribution, in Oakland, East and West Oakland, Alameda, and on Local Trains.
THE BEST ADVERTISING MEDIUM IN THE COUNTY.
MUSIC PRINTING.
Connected with our Job Department is the ONLY Musie Printing Office on the Pacific Coast.
All Orders Promptly Executed.
THE DIAMOND Music & Job Printing Office
TWELFTH STREET, bet. Broadway & Washington.
Less than one year ago, this office was fitted up for the purpose of doing fine CARD, CIRCULAR and BILLHEAD work. So well have our efforts been at- preciated, that it has been necessary from time to time to add to our facilities, until from one press and a limited- assortment of type, our outfit com= prises three job presses and a corresponding increase of type and other printing material and machinery. Our force now comprises eight well=worked hands, as contrasted with the two lonely individ= male who were more than able to handle all the work with which they were favored at the opening of the office.
The DIAMOND OFFICE has not been fitted up with the nearly worn out material of some sinking in= stitution, but was all purchased new from the foun= dry, and is of the latest and most approved styles.
To this original outfit we are continually ad= ding the newest and finest styles of types, so that we are now fully prepared to do all classes of printing, from a visiting card to a newspaper.
Visiting Card
To the ladies we would say, that this depart= Ment of our ofce is unusually complete. We have Then paine to procure the latest and most approved sale of type for this class of work. It is no longer necessary to incur the expense of engraving, as our Card printing is fully equal in appearance to the best engraved work.
Please call and examine our samples.
BUREAU OF ILLUSTRATION BUFFALO. A. Y.
PALACE HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO.
GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL, OAKLAND, CAL.
-
·
GOOD REASONS FOR INSURING YOUR HOMES WITH THE
Dwelling House Underwriters of New York,
COMPOSED OF THE
Agricultural and Watertown Insurance Co's of New York.
Assets, $200,000,000. Surplus, $1,500,000.
Ist. It is the largest exclusive Dwelling Combination in the world.
2d. They are not permitted by their Charter to insure anything but RESIDENCE property.
3d. They do not write in Mercantile or Manufacturing districts, therefore cannot suffer by conflagrations.
4th. Their large assets devoted to risks on Residence property exclusively, afford GREATER SECURITY to the assured than any company writing on Mercantile risks can offer. 5th. Under their policies, EITHER Company is liable for the FULL amount of the policy. 6th. Joint Policies are issued on the Pacific Coast only.
7th. They do not both do business in the game States east ; hence, if it were possible for either to meet with a calamity the other would avoid it.
Make " INSURANCE DOUBLY SURE " by taking a policy in this combination.
POTTER, JACOBS & EASTON, Managers, 318 California St., San Francisco, and 917 Wilcox Block, Broadway, Oakland.
" WESTCHESTER " Insurance Co., of New York, Organized 1837. " GLENS FALLS " Insurance Co., of New York, Organized 1849.
" ST. NICHOLAS " Insurance Co., of New York, Organized 1852. "EXCHANGE " Insurance Co., of New York, Organized 1853. "AR CT I C" Insurance Co., of New York, Organized 1853. "FRANKLIN " Insurance Co., of St. Louis, Organized 1855.
"CITIZENS " Insurance Co., of Newark, Organized 1860.
"JEFFERSON " Insurance Co., of St. Louis, Organized 1865.
"TRADERS " Insurance Co., of Chicago, Organized 1865 .. "NORTHERN " Insurance Co., of New York, Organized 1872.
Combined Capital and Assets, - $8,000,000.
POTTER, JACOBS & EASTON,
GENERAL AGENTS, 318 California St., S. F., and 917 Wilcox Block, Broadway, Oakland .. WILLIAM HALLEY, Agent for Alameda County ..
GRANT I. TAGGART.
E. W. WOODWARD.
WOODWARD & TAGGART'S
WOODWARD
AND
TAGGART
REAL
ESTATE
REAL
462
480
ESTATE
AN
SE
Real Estate Agency,
OFFICE, NO. 460 AND 462 EIGHTH STREET, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.
-
Desirable property For Sale in all parts of the City and suburbs.
CENTENNIAL YEAR BOOK OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
iii
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES, 1876.
HAYES AND WHEELER.
TILDEN AND HENDRICKS.
USTICE
HARRISON
ALAMEDA COUNTY COURT-HOUSE, OAKLAND, CAL.
THE
CENTENNIAL YEAR BOOK
-OF-
ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA,
CONTAINING
A SUMMARY OF THE DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT OF CALIFORNIA;
A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRA COSTA UNDER SPANISH, MEXICAN AND AMERICAN RULE;
AN ACCOUNT OF THE ORGANIZATION AND SETTLEMENT OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, WITH A YEARLY SYNOPSIS OF IMPORTANT EVENTS, DOWN TO THE CENTENNIAL YEAR OF AMERICAN INDE- PENDENCE, TOGETHER WITH THE IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE YEAR 1876.
ALSO,
A GAZETTEER OF EACH TOWNSHIP,
USEFUL LOCAL AND GENERAL STATISTICAL INFORMATION, APPROPRIATE FOR THE PRESENT TIME.
TO WHICH ARE ADDED
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF
PROMINENT PIONEERS AND PUBLIC MEN
BY WILLIAM HALLEY.
ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.
" Let us build us a city, and a tower, Whose top may reach unto heaven ; And let us make us a name."
Ec
979.401
Allha
OAKLAND, CAL.
PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM HALLEY. 1876.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Seventy-six, by WILLIAM HALLEY, In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C.
1591508 CONTENTS.
PREFACE
PAGES. xiii-xv
UNDER SPANISH RULE.
CHAPTER I-Discovery, Exploration and Settlement. 1-4
CHAPTER II-Conjectures concerning the First Visitors to our Ter- ritory-Drake, Portala, De Alberni-The Condition of the Coun- try and the Indians. 4-11
CHAPTER III-The System Established by the Spaniards for the Re- duction and Government of the Country-How we came to have a Mission 11-12
CHAPTER IV-The Mission of San Jose, our Historic Relic. 13-16 CHAPTER V-The Character and Condition of the California Indians 16-20 CHAPTER VI-Life at the Missions and how the Mission of San José Progressed 20-25
CHAPTER VII-Soldiers and Citizens 25-29
UNDER MEXICAN RULE.
CHAPTER VIII-Spanish Supremacy Overthrown-The Mission Sys- tem at its Height, and then its Destruction-The First Overland American Adventurer Communicating with Father Duran at the Mission of San José. 31-35
CHAPTER IX-The Establishment of the Ranchos and Life upon them 37-46
CHAPTER X-Domestic Government and the Final Fate of the Mis- sions. 49-53
UNDER THE STARS AND STRIPES.
CHAPTER X-The American Conquest of California-Discovery of Gold-Constitutional Convention-Organization of the Legisla- ture-Contra Costa County Created-The Missions, &c., &c ...... 55-61 CHAPTER XI-From the Organization of the Counties in 1850, to the Formation of Alameda County in 1853 63-69 CHAPTER XII-Creation of Alameda County by the Legislature of 1853 71-79 CHAPTER XIII-The New County prior to its Organization-The first Election of County Officers and the Men Chosen- Legislative and Judicial Officers 81-86
CHAPTER XIV-Beginning and End of the Court of Sessions as a Municipal Law-Maker 89-99 CHAPTER XV-From the Organization of the County to the Estab- lishment of a Board of Supervisors. 101-111
viii
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVI-From the Establishment of the Board of Supervisors
to the Organization of the Alameda County Agricultural Society .. 113-130 CHAPTER XVII-From the Formation of the Agricultural Associa- tion, in 1858, to the Census of 1860 133-151
CHAPTER XVIII-From the Census of 1860 to the Establishment of the Oakland Ferry Railroad, in 1863 153-182 CHAPTER XIX-From the Close of the Court of Sessions, in 1863, to the Reorganization of the County Agricultural Association, in October, 1866 185-218
CHAPTER XX-From the Reorganization of the County Agricultural Society, in October, 1866, to the Great Earthquake of October, 1868 221-254
CHAPTER XXI-From the Great Earthquake of October, 1868, to the Completion of the Central Pacific Railroad, in November, 1869 ... 257-281 CHAPTER XXII-From the Completion of the Central Pacific Rail- road to the Census of 1870 283-307
CHAPTER XXIII-The Events of 1871 309-324 CHAPTER XXIV-The Events of 1872 327-344
CHAPTER XXV-The Events of 1873 347-377
CHAPTER XXVI-The Events of 1874 379-403
CHAPTER XXVII-The Events of 1875 405-421
CHAPTER XXVIII-The Events of the Centennial Year 423-438
GAZETTEER.
CHAPTER XXIX-Oakland City and Township. 441-458
CHAPTER XXX-Brooklyn Town and Township 461-467
CHAPTER XXXI-Alameda Town and Township 469-474
CHAPTER XXXII-Eden Township .. 475-479
CHAPTER XXXIII-Washington Township 481-490
CHAPTER XXXIV-Murray Township. 491-505
STATISTICAL.
CHAPTER XXXV-President, Representatives, etc .- State Officers- Supreme Court-Governors of California-Representatives in the Legislature of California from 1849 to 1857-Mayors of Oakland -County, Township and other Officers-Officers of the City of Oakland, Towns of Alameda, San Leandro, Haywards and Livermore-Post-offices and Postmasters-Table of Distances- Oakland School Census-Assessment Roll of 1876-7-Votes and Estimates of Population-Vote of Electoral College, 1876-The Votes for the Presidents-Table of Votes at the Presidential Election-Table of Population and Wealth of Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Joaquin and Sacramento-Estimates of Population - Agricultural Statistics - The Courts-Hold-over Senator-County Supervisors-Financial Condition of Alameda County
507-527
ix
CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
CHAPTER XXXVI-Rev. Henry Durant, LL. D .- President John Le Conte-Hon. Samuel Bell McKee-J. Ross Browne-Dr. E. H. Pardee-Hon. F. K. Shattuck-Col. John C. Hays-Dr. Ezra S. Carr-Hon. Thos. Eagar-E. D. Block-James Buskirk Larue-William Hayward-Duncan Cameron-Wm. Meek- Capt. Badger-J. W. Kottinger-Augustine Alviso-Henry C. Smith-José de Jesus Vallejo -- A. M. Church-Robert Liver- more-Hon. Edward Gibbons-Hon. Jas. Beazell-M. W. Dixon -D. W. Gelwicks-T. F. Bagge-E. T. Crane-Isham Case-J. A. Neal-Howard Overacker-O. H. Burnham-J. B. Marlin- Valentine Alviso-W. C. Mason-Peter Pumyea-J. A. Chase- The Peralta Family-Daniel Inman-Angustine Bernal-
529-571 " Bruno "
MISCELLANEOUS.
Building Progress - The Central Land Company - California Bridge and Building Company-Christian Schrieber's Mammoth Furniture Warehouse-Convent of the Sacred Heart-Oakland Real Estate Union-Oakland City Flour Mill 573-578 PATRONS' DIRECTORY. 579-585
LIST OF ADVERTISERS.
Alameda Encinal-F. K. Krauth End Alameda County Independent-W. W. Theobalds, Publisher End Alexander, I .- Boots and Shoes 112
Babcock & Gould-Oakland City Flouring Mills 308 Bacon, J. H .- The Palace of Sweets 62
Baker, Peter-Family Groceries. 527
Barnes, H. W .- Man. Doors, Windows, Blinds (removed to East Oakland) 80
Beaudry & McEvoy-Undertakers, and Horses for Livery 132
Becht, Geo. J .- Gas Fixtures, etc 47
Benedict & Ayer-Real Estate Agency 183
Bigelow, T. B .; Bigelow, E .; Rowell, W. K .- Real Estate 346 Boardman, W. F .- Civil Engineer, Surveyor, General Land Agent, etc. 87
Brink, M .- The Oakland Hatter 282
Brooklyn Vidette-Geo. W. Barter, Editor. 459
Butler & Bowman-General Printers 48
Butler, W. C .- Designer and Engraver on Wood 527 California Bridge and Building Company-A. W. Burrell, President .. 440
Carter, John-Merchant Tailor 326
Christie & Webster-Attorneys-at-Law 255
Chappellet, F .- Artificial Building Stone 220 Cordes, H. - Wood and Willow Ware. 131 Cunningham, Mrs .- Millinery 62
Dalziel & Moller-Gas Fixtures and Plumbers' Materials 184
Dalziel, James- Pioncer Stove Store
219
Dinsmore, Wm. G .- Drugs, Cigars, &c
30
Doe, Luke- Real Estate and House Broker 183
Democrat, Daily Evening-Democrat Publishing Company .. 506
Enright, Joseph-Patent Portable Wood and Straw Burning Engines 460
Farwell & Hirshberg-Gents' Furnishing Goods, etc 440
Field, Miss H. N .- Home School for Young Ladies 30
Francis, S .- Merchant Tailor 219
Glascock, John R .- District Attorney 255
Goodall, Perkins & Co .- Pacific Coast Steam-ship Co. 522
Gordon's Ice Cream and Napa Soda Depot. End
How & Doolittle-Whitening, Paints, Oils and Glass 131
Halley, William-Insurance Agent. Front
Hauschildt, Henry-Boots and Shoes 131
Hirshberg & Greenbaum-Clothing and Furnishing Goods 440
Hirshberg & Farwell-Gents' Furnishing Goods. 440
Home Mutual Life Insurance Company-R. H. Magill, Manager 378
Hoskins, William-Notary Public, Commissioner of Deeds, etc 255 Ingersoll, Wm. B .- Photographer. 468
Jordan, W. H .- Manager Oakland Real Estate Union 346
Kelly, E. J .- Splendid Building Lots 346
King, W. G .- Civil Engineer and Surveyor 87
xi
LIST OF ADVERTISERS.
Kirk, O. C .- Tinner, Plumber and Gasfitter 70 Koenig & Brinckman-Oakland Real Estate. 345
Lalor & Kellogg-Tubb's Hotel, East Oakland End Lussier & Hill-Artists End
Lulley, M. & Sons-Auction and Commission Merchants 62
Lawrie, E. G .- Searcher of Records 87
McGrew, P. H .- Blacksmith, Horseshoer, Carriage Maker, etc 88 McKeand, G. W .- Searcher of Records 87
Moore & Vrooman-Attorneys-at-Law. 255
Murphy, W. S .- Doors, etc. (removed opposite City Market). 100
Newsom Bros .- Architects, etc ..
87
Newsom, J. J .- " Period " Window Screens
End
Oakland Daily Transcript and Alameda County Gazette-Powers & Chamberlain 422
Oakland Daily News-Oakland Daily News Company 506
Oakland (German) Journal-A. M. Schutt, Manager End
Olney & Co .- Real Estate Agents and Auctioneers 480
Plomteaux, H. J .- Dentist 459
Plunket, Jas. C .- Attorney-at-Law 255
Posey, T. R .- Fire and Water-Proof Paint End
Potter, Jacobs & Easton-General Insurance Agents. Front
Redstone, John H .- Counsellor-at-Law and Solicitor of Patents 282
Remillard Brothers-Brickmakers and Contractors 88
Samm's Flouring Mills 308
Schneider, J. A .- Oakland Basket Factory 131
Shakespeare & Walter- Wood & Coal 54
Slate, W. E .- Oakland Fur and Cloak Store. 480
Smith, G. Estabrook-Real Estate Exchange 62
Starkweather & Son-Carpets and Oilcloths 47
Stokes, Wm .- Architect 87
Strong, J. D .- Landscape Photographer End
Stuart, D .- Boots and Shoes (removed to 1071 Broadway) 404
Senram, F .- Oakland Boot and Shoe Store. 46S
St. Joseph's Academy-Bro. Josea, Director End Tay, John I. - Butterick's Patterns .. 326
The Daily Evening Tribune-Wm. E. Dargie, Manager
439
The Oakland Bank of Savings 325
The Pacific Press-Ornamental Book and Job Printing. 256
Van De Mark, Wm. N .- Teacher of Elocution 36
Voorhies & Brearty-Attorneys-at-Law 255
Warner & Browne-Real Estate Dealers 459
West Oakland Press-De Witt C. Lawrence, Editor and Proprietor End
Wharton, Mrs .- Ladies' Hair Doctress 468
Whittier, Fuller & Co .- Doors, Windows, Glass, etc. 100
Wiggins & Eells-Attorneys-at-Law 255
Wilson, Wmn .- Watch-maker and Jeweler 152
Woodward & Taggart's Real Estate Agency Front
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Alameda County Court-House
PAGE. Front
A Spanish Vessel off the Coast of California.
1
A Mission Church and Buildings 24
A California Elk 29
An Oakland Oak 46
A Grizzly Bear
61
An Alameda of Olives
71
An Australian Blue Gum Tree
182
Agricola ..
150
An Alameda Blackberry
479
Baldwin's Hotel and Academy of Music, S. F
Front
Badger, Captain T. W
556
Bruno, A Mission Indian
571
Cameron, Duncan
553
Convent of the Sacred Heart 577
529
Eagar, Hon. Thos
544
Ferry-boat and Railroad Train
458
Grand Central Hotel, Oakland.
Front
Hammam Bath-House, S. F.
End
Larue, Hon. J. B
548
Livermore, Robert.
563 461
Oakland Bank of Savings
325
Oakland High School
456
Office Central Land Company
574
Palace Hotel, S. F Front
Pacific Press Printing Office.
256
Presidents Washington and Grant.
586
Presidential Candidates, 1876
iii 86
Sheaf of Wheat.
526
Shattuck, Hon. F. K.
540
Smith, Hon. Henry C.
560 572
Tubb's Hotel, East Oakland.
End
Union Savings Bank.
403
View of the Contra Costa, in 1849
441
View of Oakland, in 1852.
441
View of Long Wharf
281
View of the Alameda Encinal
469
Woodward & Taggart's Real Estate Office Front
Durant, Rev. Henry, LL.D
Mills' Seminary
State Seal of California.
Taylor's Carpet Warehouse
PREFACE.
For the following chapters no particular literary merit is claimed. They are simply the result of steady research and persevering labor. Some years since, while conducting and publishing a local newspaper, the author con- ceived the design of compiling and publishing such a volume as this. His duties had brought him in contact with the people of the county, and he be- came interested in their history and progress. He has learned to love the country and admire the people. The desire to compile their annals and note their deeds became strong within him. Circumstances compelled him for a time to relinquish his project, but the presence of the Centennial year of Am- erican independence, when all American communities were expected to " take stock" of the past and review the present, offered a most fitting oppor- tunity to put his temporarily abandoned plan into execution.
The work is not now all that he designed, and is wanting in several features that he wished to present. He has found that there is a limit to space, and that even a book will not contain all that one wishes to print. Indeed, it is found necessary to reject or lay aside nearly sufficient materials to make an- other volume. This fact will account for the absence, in the latter portion of the book, of several matters that are referred to in the beginning.
In preparing this volume the author had the advantage of personal ac- quaintance with all the localities mentioned, and many of the people whose names and acts appear in a subdued form or a conspicuous shape within it. In many instances he had heard the narration of their personal experiences in their sunlit fields or by their bright firesides. For omissions he has been com- pelled to make, he is sorry. There are some things in our short history that are pleasant to dwell upon. There are others that are painful. Candor and fairness are the lights by which he has been guided. There may be an instance or two where parties will consider themselves aggrieved. The knowledge obtained in the course of his inquiries, however, satisfies the author that, in some cases, his pen might, with justice, have pierced more deeply and condemned more freely. Wrongs, wilfully and persistently perpetrated, should ever be condemned. When justice fails and iniquity triumphs, the sufferer should, at least, have the poor privilege of protestation left. Where public opinion is not strong enough, nor sensitive enough, nor just enough, to keep evil in check, or punish the wicked, it must be created and fostered.
To the old settler, to the pioneer citizen, who has made the pleasant Alameda valleys or bright hill-sides his home, the recounting of the events of the past, in which he has figured, and which have been gradually fading away, it is hoped the revival in these pages, of old memories, will be pleasing. A new generation will seize upon and perpetuate them. The spirit of the parent will be revived in the child. The ground that he contended for,
xiv
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
rescued from the wilderness and subdued, will be made holy. The child will cherish it as he does his life ; the feeling of reverence will be excited, and the fire of patriotism made to burn.
The day has not yet exactly come when we can boast of our sages and our soldiers, of our bards and our orators, sprung from the soil and racy of its valleys and glens, and bold mountain holds ; but there is, notwithstand- ing, when we look around us and reflect, much that is promising and to be proud of in the second generation of Alamedans. The deep cañons, the sylvan glens, the sun-flooded valleys, the high mountain tops, the opaline fields and the burnished waters of our great bay, have already photographed their forms on the minds of our children, and inspired them with their geniuses ; and as bright and beautiful and bold a race of men and women as the world has ever yet seen, is preparing to assert itself and show how much of Heaven and earth there is in it. In the colleges of the East, in the studios of Germany, Italy and France ; as cadets at West Point and Anna- polis, they are making their mark. Others are already competing in the professions and the marts of commerce with the old and experienced, and achieving successes and triumphs.
Few localities have ever been honored with as superior a race of sires. In the walks of literature, science and education, we can with commendable pride refer to our Browne, Strong, Gibbons, Leconte and Durant ; in law, legislation and oratory, to our McKee, Tompkins, Haight and Felton ; in surgical and dental science, to our Pardee and Knowles. The list of prom- inent figures in the various walks of life might thus be largely extended. The sweetest poetess on the Pacific shores makes her home among us ; and it seems as if Alameda is destined to become the Attica of the Pacific, and Oakland the Athens of California. But, unlike the old classic State of Greece,
" Her fruitful soil it teems with wealth, With gems her waters, her air with health."
The new-comer, it is hoped, will find in this humble volume much to in- struet and inform him regarding our early aspects, our abnormal conditions, our Spanish and American pioneer life. How settlement progressed, how the Spanish and Mexican immigrants had to contend with untutored savages and wild animals ; with droughts, floods and earthquakes, and leagues of arid acres. How that quaint communism of the Missions arose and flourished and forever subsided; how a pastoral people appeared, prospered for a period, and disappeared ; how the American pioneers, who everywhere expected to obtain land for the taking it up, everywhere found themselves trespassers and encroachers upon the rights of a preceding people ; how American law had no adequate remedy for the evil of American land-grabbing ; how titles were clouded, and men had to pay more than once for their possessions ; how the virgin mold yielded the abundant golden harvest ; how lawlessness had to be combatted ; how schools were established, churches erected, colleges and universities founded, commerce created, arts encouraged, railroads and steamboats built ; and all the plain and complex machinery of a high civil- ization set in active motion.
XV
PREFACE.
This is the first local literary production, beyond the newspaper, directory and pamphlet, that has ever been offered to the people of Alameda County for their appreciation and patronage ; and whether another will follow from the same source, will depend upon the encouragement extended to this.
The advertising feature of the book is not altogether novel. It has been copied from another similar publication. Let not the fastidious be offended by it. Without it, the Centennial Year Book of Alameda County would never appear.
The author has to return his thanks to the many who encouraged him at the outset with their patronage ; to the printers, Messrs. Francis & Valen- tine, whose liberal arrangements enabled him to proceed ; and to the kind friend in the back-ground who came to his assistance when assistance was needed.
OAKLAND, Dec. 6, 1876.
THE AUTHOR.
TO THE
PIONEERS OF THE CONTRA COSTA, THIS WORK
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR.
UNDER SPANISH RULE.
CHAPTER I.
DISCOVERY, EXPLORATION AND SETTLEMENT.
On the 12th of October, 1492, Columbus discovered America. He gave a new world, not alone to Castile and Aragon, but to mankind. On the 25th of September, 1513, Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, from the heights of Panama discovered the greatest of oceans and obtained for the civilized world its first knowledge of the broad Pacific, the sea that washes our shore.
In 1519 Hernando Cortez conquered Mexico; and in 1537 his pilot, Zimenez, discovered Lower California. The first " overland " travelers we have heard of were Caliesa de Vaca, Castillo Durantez, Spaniards, and a negro named Estavanico. They belonged to Nar- vaez' party of three hundred, which landed in Florida, in 1527, in pursuit of conquest and discovery. Ten years after they fell in with Zimenez' party, in Lower California, and went with them to Mexico. They were all that was left of that adventurous three hundred.
In 1542 Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo made a voyage of discovery along our coast, and on the 5th of July of that year landed at Cape St. Lucas, in Lower California. On the 28th of September following he entered the beautiful harbor of San Diego, in Upper California, and was the first white man to land there. He named the place San Mi- guel, but it was subsequently changed to San Diego by Viscaiño.
1
2
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
In 1579 Sir Francis Drake, the English navigator, sailed along our coast, and it is an unsettled point whether or no he was the first to discover the harbor of San Francisco. The first "tramp" is said to have been his Spanish pilot, Movera, who is accredited with having left him at Oregon, and walked alone thence to Mexico, a distance of 3,500 miles, which speaks well for the hospitality of the native sava- ges in those days, as well as his own courage and endurance. Drake called the country New Albion, and thought to secure it for his own sovereign.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.