USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume I > Part 11
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Work on the railroad went steadily ahead. Grading was completed to San Leandro in January, 1865, and on March 1, the first trip was made by rail and water from San Francisco to San Leandro, then the county seat of Alameda County. Regular service was started the next day. C. D. Bates was given the contract to build the road into Hayward and when that point was reached a celebration was held August 24, 1865. The first train brought a delegation from San Francisco, Oak- land, Alameda and smaller communities. A big dinner was served by the railroad company in Edmondson's brick warehouse. Hayward's as it was first known, gave promise then of becoming the city it is today, but when the first railroad arrived it boasted of only thirty houses.
On that date the Alameda Company was reported as having two
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locomotives. The names of these locomotives is in dispute among pres- ent day authorities, it being claimed that the "J. G. Kellogg" was No. 1. However, early-day historians have recorded that the "E. B. Mas- tick," built at Vulcan Iron Works, San Francisco, took the first train over the line in August, 1864, and that the "J. G. Kellogg," built at Ala- meda Point by A. J. Stevens, afterwards general master mechanic of Central Pacific, was turned out of the railroad's shop January 27, 1866. There was also another locomotive probably the "F. D. Atherton" placed in service between these two.
There was no railroad connection between Oakland and Alameda until 1873, when the first bridge across the Estuary was built. Any- one wishing to go from Oakland to San Leandro or Hayward could make use of the railroad service by two inconvenient and round-about routes. One could ride on the "local line" to Brooklyn across San An- tonio Creek, then walk to Park Street Station of the Alameda Rail- road. Or, if there was no great rush, the rail-ferry line could be taken to San Francisco and then across the Bay again to Alameda Wharf for rail connection to Hayward.
A number of railroad projects were confidentially spoken of late in 1865 after Hayward was reached. In addition to connecting the Ala- meda Road with the Oakland "local line" and the Western Pacific, it was planned to continue the Oakland Road to a terminus on Goat Island; to extend the Hayward line into the Amador Valley, and to build a northern road to Placerville, via San Pablo and across the Straits of Carquinez.
The Goat Island project was abandoned, and the other proposed lines waited completion, in whole or in part until the builders of the Central Pacific entered the field to establish a terminus on San Fran- cisco Bay for the western link of the first transcontinental railroad.
In 1867 the City Council granted permission to the San Francisco and Oakland Railroad Company to erect a station at the Point. On August 24, 1868, an ordinance was passed granting to the Western Pacific the right of way through certain streets. On October 28, 1869, the Western Pacific and the San Francisco Bay Railroad Company consolidated, with Leland Stanford as president. Subsequently the Western Pacific took possession of the local line and the ferry. The old steamer Oakland was turned into a car-ferry boat, carrying five loaded cars; and suitable slips were provided at the Alameda and Sec- ond Street wharves. Meantime work had been commenced at the Oak- land Wharf with the view of extending it to the ship channel, and also
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to provide slips for sea-going vessels. The length of the wharf when acquired by the Central Pacific was about six thousand, nine hundred feet. New ferry-boats, the El Capitan and the Thoroughfare were built and placed on the run across the Bay. In 1870 an ordinance was passed to authorize the San Francisco and Oakland Railroad and the Western Pacific to erect bridges across the estuary between Oakland and Brooklyn. In 1873 an extension of three and seventy-nine hun- dredths miles to the Oakland and Alameda branch, consisting of a sec- ond track through Railroad Avenue and Seventh Street, Oakland; from Bay to Harrison streets; and a branch thence to Mastick Station, in Alameda, was built. This branch crossed the main line at First and Alice streets, and went over San Antonio Creek on a bridge consisting of twelve spans of sixty feet each, and a swing-bridge with two clear openings of eighty feet each. The new track was opened September 29, 1873, and arrangements were made for half-hour ferry trips. Two new ferries were built at Oakland Point in 1874 and 1875-the new Oakland and the Transit.
The Oakland Pier, or Mole, was started in 1879 and completed in 1881. It was one and twenty-six hundredths miles in length, and 280 feet wide at the western end. It was constructed largely of rock se- cured in Alameda Canyon, a distance of twenty-six miles. The depot building was completed also in 1881. By 1881 the Central Pacific was operating the following ferry-boats: Alameda, Amador, Amelia, Capi- tal, El Capitan, Oakland, Transit, Thoroughfare, and the Solano at the Carquinez Straits. During that year this company carried a total of 7,032,366 passengers across the Bay.
EARLY PUBLIC INPROVEMENTS
On May 11, 1859, the City Council named the public square bounded by Fourth and Fifth streets and Broadway and Washington Street as Washington Square, and the one directly opposite as Franklin Square. It was upon these two squares that the courthouse and the Hall of Records were located when Oakland became the county seat. Washing- ton Square was leased in 1859 to the Alameda Agricultural Society. Eventually streets were laid out with Market Street being the westerly boundary to West Twenty-second Street. And still later a plan of streets extending from Market Street to a line once known as the "wire fence," and in the early '80s as Center Street.
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On April 24, 1864, the council voted to macadamize Broadway, from the Broadway wharf to Fourteenth Street. Only the center forty feet were so treated. The early park system included Badger's Park and the one at Adam's point, jutting into Lake Merritt. On October 25, 1864, the council also ordered the widening of the sidewalks on Broadway to twenty-five feet. The first sewers were ordered laid on July 18, 1866, between Fourth Street and the water-front on Broad- way. McClellan Street was changed in name to Linden Street; and in December, Twelfth Street was ordered macadamized from Broadway to the Oakland Bridge. On February 22, 1867, $3,000 were appro- priated for the first lights-gas. On May, 25, 1868, the council accepted the offer of Mr. Little for a right-of-way to extend Webster Street north of Seventeenth Street, through the old cemetery to the San An- tonio Creek. Tenth Street, from Broadway to Market, was ordered macadamized about the close of 1867; and similar work was ordered on Eighth, from Oak to Market, March 28, 1868. Broadway was ex- tended May 17, 1869, from its intersection with San Pablo Road to the city line ; and on July 12 of that year an ordinance was passed ordering the numbering of houses for the first time. Fourteenth Street from San Pablo Road to the west line of the city was macadamized in Sep- tember, of that year. During 1872 over eleven and one-half miles of streets were macadamized, which was an outstanding feature of the public improvements of the twelve months. In 1876 the name of Middle Street was changed to Ninth Street. A bridge was also authorized across the estuary of San Antonio between Eighth Street and East Ninth Street. The city hall was burned on Saturday, August 25, 1877, shortly after the debt of its construction had been paid. Meeting at Armory Hall on August 27, the City Council arranged to secure suit- able rooms for a meeting place. Action was also taken to secure the bell of the Presbyterian Church for a fire alarm. Adjustment of the City Hall insurance was made, the citizens of Oakland were thanked for their exertions in saving from the fire the public archives and a reward of $1,000 was offered for information leading to the arrest and con- viction of the incendiary who fired the building. Thereafter the Council met in a rented room at No. 1217 Broadway while action was taken to provide for rebuilding. Upon adoption of plans, Eli Strong was placed in charge of construction and the offer of Doctor Merritt to donate a clock for the tower was accepted. This old city building stood on what is now Washington Street, directly in front of where the present mag- nificent building stands. It was at that time that the idea of opening
OLD CITY HALL, OAKLAND
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Washington Street to San Pablo Road took definite shape. It should also be mentioned here that the Webster Street bridge was built in 1870.
Brooklyn was annexed to Oakland at a special election called by the county supervisors on March 30, 1872.
San Pablo Avenue was declared a public thoroughfare on October 28, 1872.
CITY HALL BUILT
The state legislature passed an act on March 19, 1868, to authorize the City Council of Oakland to buy a site and erect a City Hall. On August 3rd, the City Council offered three prizes, one for $500, one for $300 and one for $200, for the best plans submitted for a new build- ing, at the junction of Fourteenth Street and San Pablo Road. A com- mittee consisting of the mayor and Ed. Tompkins, Ed. Gibbons, J. B. Felton, D. H. Bacon, S. B. McKee, and George C. Potter was named to consider the plans. On August 24 this committee selected the plans submitted by Olney & Barnes, and James N. Olney was named as archi- tect and superintendent of construction. But in October the plans of Bugbee & Son were adopted. Mr. Olney, however, was retained as architect. On October 31, the contract for the masonry work was let to J. S. Emery, for $11,784; while the woodwork was let to F. L. Tay- lor and J. V. B. Goodrich for $23,965. It was ready for occupancy in January, 1871. As stated in another place, this City Hall was burned to the ground on August 25, 1877. Meetings of the council were then held at 1217 Broadway, in rented rooms, until the City Hall was re- built. Dr. Samuel Merritt donated the clock in the tower of the new structure.
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The first public school of Oakland was opened in July, of 1853, with but sixteen students in attendance. The building was erected at a cost of one thousand dollars; originally located at the corner of Fifth and Clay streets, it was later moved to Market and Seventh streets. This frame building served the city until 1862. Miss Hannah J. Jayne, later Mrs. Edson Adams, was the first teacher. The original building was later used as an African M. E. Church building. On March 19, 1862, a new school building was ordered built on Block No. 155, bounded by Jefferson, Grove, Eleventh and Twelfth streets, the site be-
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ing bought for $900. The new structure cost $1,450, being occupied for the first time in November, 1862. Henry Hillebrand became its princi- pal, with Miss Martha Pratt as assistant. In August, 1865, a site at Alice and Fifth streets was bought for $875, and a building erected. In 1874 this location was sold to the Central Pacific for $6,000.
On March 31, 1866, the legislature created a Board of Education for the city of Oakland, consisting of eight members. On June 27th a new schoolhouse was ordered built at the Point. On January 30, 1867, the old "Pavillion" on Washington Square was purchased and con- verted into a school. This building was later moved to Twelfth and Jefferson streets, and became the Lafayette Primary School. The Pres- cott building was opened January 4, 1869. In August, 1869, the primary school on the east side of Grove Street, between Fourth and Fifth, was opened. On September 17, 1881, the "Handsome" High School build- ing at Market and Twelfth streets was dedicated. The Lincoln Gram- mar and Primary School, at Tenth and Alice, was first occupied in 1872, and the buildings in East Oakland, upon the annexation of that territory to Oakland, came under the direction of the Oakland Board of Education in November of that year. The school system by that time had grown to thirty-six rooms, with over fifteen hundred students attending classes. By 1883 the system of schools in the city included the following: High School; Prescott, Cole, Tompkins, Lincoln, Dur- ant, Franklin, Lafayette, Grove Street, Harrison Street, Swett, Court House, Broadway and Twenty-fifth, Plymouth Avenue, Watts' Tract, and the Carpenter Shop. The Oakland High School was organized July 12, 1869, with 29 pupils. For the first two years, classes were held in connection with grammar schools, but at the opening of its third year, it moved to the new High School Building.
Mention should be here made of some of the other pioneer educa- tional institutions. The California Military Academy was founded in January, 1865, as a private school, by the Rev. David McClure. It was first located on Ninth Street, near Franklin. Two years later the college moved to a new site, on north Telegraph Avenue. In 1873 the buildings were burned, but new structures were built. The Hopkins Academy, formerly known as the Golden Gate Academy, was situated on a site between Broadway and Telegraph Avenue. The Sackett School was established in July, 1879, at 529 Hobart Street, by Professor D. P. Sackett. On November 8, 1858, the Oakland Seminary was com- menced by. Mrs. G. M. Blake, in a private parlor on Broadway and Sixth. On April 1, 1859, it was moved to Broadway and Eighth, and
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eleven months later to Fifth and Jackson, where it remained for four years. It then became established in the Blake House, just built on Washington Street between Eleventh and Twelfth. Another institu- tion for girls, which owed its existence to the Rev. E. B. Walsworth, was the Pacific Female College, opened June 15, 1863. The Snell Sem- inary, at 568 Central Avenue, or Twelfth Street, was opened in July, 1878, by Miss Mary E. Snell and R. B. Snell.
The Miss Bisbie's School, established by Mrs. E. C. Poston in 1872, had a location on the western margin of Lake Merritt, on Oak Street. She had moved her seminary from Marysville, and purchased the Heath residence in Oakland in which to start the school. The Con- vent of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus and Mary in 1868, under the patronage of Rev. Father M. King, pastor of the Catholic Church in Oakland. It chose its site on Lake Merritt. The buildings of this convent were erected in 1872. The California Medical College was organized in 1878, with buildings on Clay Street, between Tenth and Eleventh streets.
SOCIETIES, LODGES AND CHURCHES
The pioneer societies, lodges and churches of Oakland must neces- sarily be mentioned. The Ladies' Relief Society of Oakland was or- ganized in March, 1871. Meetings were held in the First Congrega- tional Church, Clay and Twelfth streets; and finally the society became the owner of a home and ten acres on the south side of Linden Avenue, between Broadway and Telegraph. The Women's Christian Associa- tion of Oakland was organized October 5, 1877, to "carry Christian sympathy, love and help to all families in our midst who may need such ministrations." Headquarters were maintained at 1274 Franklin Street. The association soon grew to over 300 life members and over 50 sustaining members; and did much during the pioneering days to carry out the purposes of its organization. The California Sheltering home was organized in April, 1881. It was one of the branches of the Ladies' Christian Association. The Home for Aged Women was or- ganized under the auspices of the Ladies' Relief Society of Oakland, and erected buildings in 1882, upon a site consisting of ten acres. Gov- ernor Perkins and nine other generous citizens of Oakland each con- tributed one thousand dollars towards the building fund of $18,000.
The Oakland Masonic Temple Association was incorporated in June, 1878, with a capital of $100,000. F. K. Shattuck was its first
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president, and so served for a number of years. The association bought the corner lots, facing 65 feet on Washington, and 125 feet on Twelfth Street, and on January 10, 1880, the corner-stone of the Masonic Tem- ple, still standing, was dedicated. The first meeting in the building was held December 17, 1880. Oakland Commandery, No. 11, Knights Templar, dates from January 18, 1876. Oakland Chapter, No. 26, R. A. M., was instituted May 5, 1860. The first meeting of the Oak- land Council W. D. of Royal and Select Masters, was held June 15, 1882. Live Oak Lodge, No. 61, F. and A. M., was instituted May 4, 1855. Oakland Lodge, No. 188, F. and A. M., received its charter October 15, 1868. Oak Leaf Chapter, No. 8, O. E. S., was instituted April 30, 1872. The first lodge of the I. O. O. F., Oakland Lodge, No. 118, dates from July 5, 1864. Three other lodges were later or- ganized-Fountain Lodge, No. 198, on January 10, 1872; Evening Star Lodge, No. 263, July 20, 1877; and the Oakland Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 16, on October 10, 1873. The A. O. U. W. had two pioneer lodges. Pacific Lodge No. 7, was instituted July 24, 1877; and Oak- leaf Lodge, No. 35, on June 3, 1878. The early Knights of Pythias lodge, Live Oak, No. 17, started on August 12, 1870. Oakland Council, No. 20, O. C. F., was instituted on January 14, 1882. Brooklyn Coun- cil, No. 50, I. O. C. F., was organized December 13, 1881. Oakland Lodge, No. 252, I. O. B. B., perfected its organization November 28, 1875. Appomattox Post, No. 50, G. A. R., organized on March 22, 1883, with nineteen charter members. St. Andrews Society of Alameda County started out with sixty charter members on May 17, 1878. The Daughters of Israel Relief Society had twenty charter members when organized in 1876. The Hebrew Benevolent Society dates from July, 1861. The Danish Society "Dania of California" was incorporated on August 12, 1882.
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By 1883 there were nearly forty churches in Oakland. The pioneer churches will be briefly mentioned. The First Presbyterian Church was organized in April, 1853. Services were first held in a tent, but after- wards in the public schoolhouse, with Rev. S. B. Bell as pastor. In 1875 the congregation built a church at Fourteenth and Franklin, at a cost of about $52,000. It was dedicated January 16, 1876. Their first church was built in 1856 at Webster and Sixth streets, but was subsequently moved to Broadway and Thirteenth. This building was later moved on
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Thirteenth, between Broadway and Franklin, and used as an armory. The Independent Presbyterian Church was organized February 28, 1869. St. John's Episcopal Church had its foundation in 1852, when two families met to worship. In August, 1853, Rev. Doctor Ver Mehr, of San Francisco, came over to help establish the church, and twelve converts were secured. During the close of the year Rev. John Mor- gan held services under an oak tree. The following Sunday a tent was used, but this tent was later sold to the Presbyterians. In December, 1854, the Right Rev. Bishop Kip held services, and on March 5 the parish was incorporated. In 1860 a lot was bought and a church built, under the direction of Rev. Benjamin Akerly, D. D., who was rector for nearly thirty years. St. Paul's Episcopal Church was organized in February, 1871, and the congregation bought a building formerly occupied by the California College at the corner of Twelfth and Web- ster streets. The First Baptist Church, dedicated its first church in December, 1854, at the corner of Fifth and Jackson streets. This was moved in 1863 to Clay and Ninth streets. Following the arrival of Rev. B. T. Martin as pastor in 1865, a new building was built at Four- teenth and Brush streets.
The first Catholic church building was erected in 1853, some time after services were held in a private house; and this Catholic church was the first one in the county north of the old Mission. This church became inadequate and in 1869 Father King determined to erect a larger one on Jefferson Street, between Eighth and Seventh streets. It was dedicated June 23, 1872. The First Congregational Church was or- ganized December 9, 1860. It held its first services in the Baptist Church, then located at Fifth and Jefferson streets. Later services were held in the old "Pavilion," situated on the square later occupied by the Courthouse. In September, 1861, the church secured the block bounded by Broadway, Washington, Tenth and Eleventh streets, for the sum of $1,400, and a new church was ready for occupancy in June, 1862. It was enlarged in 1867 and again in 1868. In 1871, the east half of the block, fronting on Broadway, was sold for $65,000, and the church was moved to the corner of Washington and Tenth. In April, 1878, work was started on a new church at Central Avenue and Clay Street, which was dedicated January 21, 1879. The Second Congregational Church was organized May 31, 1868, in the West Oakland schoolhouse. In August, 1868, a church was dedicated at Goss and Wood streets. In 1874 a site on Chase Street was secured, and a new building erected.
In 1874, after several years of existence, the German Methodist
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Episcopal Church purchased the First Methodist Episcopal Church at the corner of Ninth and Washington streets. A year or so later the church bought a lot on Seventeenth Street, near San Pablo Avenue, for the sum of $3,500, and moved the edifice to that location. The First Methodist Church erected a new structure at Fourteenth and Clay when they sold their property to the German church. A perma- nent organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was perfected May 16, 1875, although meetings had been held for some time previ- ously. In 1876 the congregation bought a lot at the northeast corner of Clay and Thirteenth streets, and a $12,000 church was erected.
The Young Men's Christian Association of Oakland was organized July 24, 1879, in the First Presbyterian Church. Later a room was secured in the old Medical College Hall, and on June 1, 1881, a location was secured in the lower floor of the Masonic Temple. Their latest building on Telegraph Avenue was dedicated in 1910.
EARLY MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS
With the outbreak of the Civil war citizens of the small town of Oakland, then less than 2,000 in population, commenced to think of things military. On June 10, 1861, a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a military company, and out of this meeting grew the old "Oakland Home Guard." Among the prominent citizens to enroll were William Hoskins, Jeremiah Tyrrell, J. Barnett, C. S. Haile, John McCann, William C. Little, W. W. Crane, H. Hillebrand, George M. Blake, J. A. Webster, A. D. Eames, John H. Hobart, J. A. Whitcher, Harry N. Morse, A. W. Burrell, and many others. James Brown was chosen captain; Harry N. Morse, first lieutenant; Henry Hillebrand, second lieutenant ; and Jeremiah Tyrrell, junior second lieutenant. Soon after its organization it was attached to the Second Regiment of Artil- lery. Later it became Company C, of the First Infantry Battalion, Sec- ond Brigade, of the National Guard. In 1872, the guard was reduced and the Oakland Company was mustered out of service; but its mem- bers met that evening and reorganized as an unattached unit. The men who were captain of this famous military organization for the first twenty-two years of its existence were James Brown, Harry N. Morse, W. C. Little, A. W. Burrell, H. D. Ranlett, Henry Levy, A. L. Smith, and Thomas H. Thompson. Guard companies were also organized in other towns of the county during the Civil war period.
The Oakland Light Cavalry was organized in 1877, with thirty-
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three members signing the muster roll on July 31st. The first officers were W. C. Little, captain; E. W. Woodward, first sergeant; J. E. McElrath, senior second sergeant; T. H. Allen, junior second sergeant. They held meetings in the old armory on Thirteenth Street, but sub- sequently moved to the Antisell's Building, at the corner of Central Avenue and Broadway. Webb N. Pearce became captain in the early eighties. The Hancock Rifles was organized, and finally became Com- pany C, Third Infantry Regiment.
PIONEER BUSINESS CONCERNS
The Oakland Bank of Savings was incorporated August 13, 1867, with a capital stock of $150,000, which was increased to $300,000 March 30, 1869; and to $1,000,000 on May 9, 1871. The first directors were prominent financial figures of Oakland-A. C. Henry, Edward Hall, Samuel Merritt, P. S. Wilcox, and W. W. Crane, Jr. The first president was A. C. Henry, and the first cashier, E. M. Hall. P. S. Wilcox succeeded Henry as its second president. In 1876 the bank built its building at Twelfth and Broadway.
The Union Savings Bank of Oakland was established in July, 1869, near the corner of Broadway and Eighth Street, A. C. Henry being president and H. A. Palmer, cashier. In 1871 the institution erected a building at Ninth and Broadway. Its original capital of $150,000 was soon increased to $450,000. Associated with the early history of this bank were J. West Martin, R. W. Kirkham, A. C. Henry, Hiram Tubbs, John C. Hays, D. Henshaw Ward, R. S. Farrelly, H. A. Pal- mer, Socrates Huff, W. W. Crane, Jr., Samuel Woods, H. A. Palmer, and William G. Henshaw.
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