History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 93

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood
Number of Pages: 1206

USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions > Part 93

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At this time Oakland was coming into note as a ship-building port. In July Captain Birdsall had a one hundred and fifty ton schooner on the stocks, at the foot of Franklin Street, with another vessel contracted for. In this year, too, the wooden building belonging to F. K. Shattuck that stood at the corner of Broadway and Eighth Street, was removed, and a new brick block, fitted up with capacious stores, built; so many were the improvements in this year that it is utterly impossible for us to enumerate them all, but it may be mentioned that their cost is estimated at the sum of six hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1866 the Oakland Mills com- menced running; and on September 5th the Oakland Homestead Association had started with a capital stock of fourteen thousand dollars, and Elijah Bigelow, T. B. Bigelow, and W. W. Crane as Trustees. In this year, too, a steamboat, one hundred and sixty feet in length, thirty-three in breadth, and six feet depth of hold, was built by Small & Spier, at the foot of Franklin Street, which would appear to have been the building-yard for vessels, about twenty years ago.

On the evening of November 1, 1866, the Empire Brewery, owned by John Gil- more, was destroyed by fire, while the house of Mr. Ironmonger, situated near the brewery also caught. The News says: "This house was the first house ever built in Oakland. It originally stood on Broadway, near the wharf. Mr. Carpentier built it when he first settled here.

The year 1866 may be summed up as an eminently prosperous one for Oakland, and one in which she established herself beyond a peradventure in the upward march of progress.

1867 .- From the official records we learn that on March 23, 1867, the appropria- tion of one hundred dollars per year for reporting the proceedings of the Council was withdrawn from the Oakland News. On the 27th April the following salaries were fixed: Marshal, one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month; Clerk and Treasurer, one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month; City Attorney, fifty

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dollars per month, which was raised to one hundred dollars on May 25th. On May IIth an ordinance, having for its object the protection of birds, was passed; and on June 22d subscription to the Oakland Daily News was authorized for the purpose of filing .*

Upon the death of Police Judge Watson, July 18, 1867, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted by the City Council :-

WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God in His wisdom to remove by death NORMAN WATSON, the late Police Judge of this city.

Resolved, That in the death of Judge Watson his family have lost a kind and affectionate husband and father, the city a faithful and efficient officer, and society an upright citizen and an honest man.

Resolved, That the members of the Council attend in a body the funeral of the deceased, and that the other officers of the city government be invited to join them in manifesting their respect to his memory.

Resolved, That the Clerk deliver to the family of the deceased a copy of these resolutions.

On October 19, 1867, an ordinance regulating hacks was passed; while, November 2d, the following proceedings were had :-

Resolved, That the thanks of the Council are due to the Hon. W. W. Crane, Jr., whose resignation of the office of Mayor of the city of Oakland has just been received, for the faithful manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office, and especially for the assistance he has rendered the Council in the management of the affairs of the city ever since his election to said office. That our best wishes will follow him wherever he may go, and we shall heartily welcome his return among us.

On the same date Doctor Samuel Merritt was elected to the Mayor's chair in place of Mr. Crane.

Once more in the year 1867 have we to record the death of one of Oakland's public servants, in the person of Alderman Anderson. At a special meeting of the body of which he was a member, convened on the IIth November, the following appropriate resolutions of condolence were unanimously passed :-

WHEREAS, By the dispensation of Divine Providence one of the members of this Council, ANDREW ANDER- SON, has been removed from our midst.

Resolved, That by the sudden death of our hrother we are reminded of the uncertainty of life, and are admon- ished to a faithful and conscientious performance of our duties as members of this Board, that our record may be as fair as his whose loss we deplore.

Resolved, That the members of the Council attend the funeral of the deceased in a body, and that the other officers of the city government be invited to join us, as a mark of respect to his memory.

Resolved, That the Clerk be requested to present to the widow of deceased a copy of these resolutions.

On November 16, 1867, Mr. Moody offered a resolution to the following effect : That a committee of three be appointed to consider the propriety of a consolidation of our city and county, and that said committee be empowered to consult with citizens in such manner as they may deem proper. The object of this movement was to embody the city of Oakland and such other territory as might be fixed upon into a consolidated city and county of Oakland, similar to that which obtains of San Fran- cisco, but the matter rested until 1874, when the scheme once more commenced to attract attention, but nothing would appear to have come of the proceedings.

In the year 1867 the propriety of erecting a City Hall first was brought to the notice of the public by Mr. Hobart, at a meeting of the corporation held December 2Ist, when the following resolution was offered :-

* These files were lost in the fire which destroyed the City Hall in August, 1877.

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OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-CITY OF OAKLAND.

Resolved, By the City Council of the city of Oakland, that it is the sense and judgment of the people of this city that a suitable site be immediately secured for the erection of a City Hall.

The ayes and noes being called on the passage thereof were as follows: Ayes- Messrs. Moody, Miller, Hobart, Wilcox, Campbell, and President Pendleton; Noes- None; so the resolution was adopted. Mr. Wilcox then offered the following resolu- tion :-

Resolved, That in the judgment of the City Council of the city of Oakland the time has arrived when the city should have a lot on which to build a City Hall. Would recommend that a committee of three be appointed to select a lot and ascertain the cost and report at our next meeting.

Which was adopted. The chair then appointed Messrs. Wilcox, Hobart, and Miller as such committee, and on motion of Mr. Moody they were instructed to look for a site north of Twelfth Street and west of Broadway. This committee on December 28th presented "An Ordinance for the Purchase of Land for a City Hall and to pro- vide for the Payment thereof," which, on being put to the vote, was lost. Mr. Moody then offered the following resolution :-- *

Resolved, That Captain Wilcox is hereby requested to purchase the lot of land offered by E. Bigelow, Esq., and hold the same in his own name, with the privilege to the Council to purchase the same for a City Hall at any time before April 1, 1869, at the price of seven thousand five hundred dollars, at one and one-quarter per cent. interest per month, with incidental expenses added thereto."

Which was adopted. Then, on January 4, 1868, at another meeting of the Common Council, Mr. Moody stated that Mr. Potter had offered to the city a piece of land for a City Hall, at the head of Broadway, for the same price per square foot as was asked by Mr. Bigelow for his tract. He therefore moved that the resolution passed at a preceding meeting in regard to purchase of Bigelow's tract be rescinded, which was carried. Mr. Hobart then offered the following resolution :--

Resolved, That Captain P. S. Wilcox be invited to purchase the land bounded on the southwest by the San Pablo Road and on the east by a continuation of the west line of Broadway, measuring on the said eastern line three hundred and fifty feet; and thence at right angles from the same to the San Pablo Road, and hold the same until the fifteenth day of April next, subject till that time to the refusal of the city, interest to be reckoned at one and one-quarter per cent. per month.

This did not meet the views of some of the Council, therefore the following was offered by Mr. Moody as a substitute :-

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to examine and ascertain what amount of property will be required from Mr. Potter's lot for City Hall purposes, and report at a future meeting of the Council.

The ayes and noes, being demanded on the adoption of this substitute, were as follows: Ayes-Messrs. Moody and Miller; Noes-Messrs. Hobart, Wilcox, Campbell, and President Pendleton; so the substitute was lost. Mr. Moody then moved that the whole matter be laid over. The ayes and noes being called on the adoption thereof were as follows: Ayes-Messrs. Moody and Miller; Noes-Messrs. Hobart, Wilcox, Campbell, and President Pendleton; therefore the motion was lost. The question of the adoption of the original resolution offered by Mr. Hobart was then put, and said resolution adopted. On January 10th the following resolution was adopted by a vote of seven to none :-

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

WHEREAS, The City Council of the city of Oakland, believing that the interests of the city and the voice of a majority of the voters thereof demand the erection of a City Hall and the purchase of a suitable site therefor, have selected the point of land in said city bounded as follows: Beginning at the junction of Fourteenth Street and the San Pablo Road in said city, and measuring on said Fourteenth Street, westward, four hundred and twenty-two feet, one and one-quarter inches; thence northerly, parallel with Clay Street, two hundred and seven feet six inches; thence following the sonth line of Fifteenth Street two hundred and forty-three feet, nine inches, to said San Pablo Road; thence along said San Pablo Road two hundred and seventy-three feet, six and one-half inches, to the place of beginning; containing about seventy-eight thousand, six hundred and two square feet, at a cost of seventeen thousand dollars, as the most eligible and central point, and have made arrangements to have the same conveyed to certain parties in trust for the city, provided, the same be paid for on or before the 15th day of April next, and

WHEREAS, It is inexpedient and oppressive, at the present time, to raise the necessary amount by a tax for that purpose; therefore

Resolved, That our Senator and Assemblymen be requested to use their influence in passing a proper Fund- ing Act at the present session of the Legislature, to enable said City Council to erect a City Hall and to purchase the aforesaid land.

On March 19, 1868, an Act authorizing the City Council to purchase land and erect a City Hall was passed by the Legislature, and directed the issuance of bonds therefor, and on March 30th Captain Wilcox presented the Deed of Conveyance for the land, when a committee was appointed to prepare plans and specifications. Not much would appear to have been done in the matter for the first two or three months. However, on August 3, 1868, the following preamble and resolutions were offered by Alderman Miller and adopted by the Council.

WHEREAS, It being desirable that the best possible plan for a City Hall should be adopted; one that would enable us to expend the small amount we now have in hand-thirty thousand dollars-for this purpose in such a manner as will give us a good and complete building for our present necessities: one that should be a credit to the city in finish and convenience, complete in itself, and yet shall be so designed as to be but part of a building that shall be the pride of a great city and an enduring monument of the foresight of our government; and

WHEREAS, It is only by public competition that the best designs can be obtained, and by an intelligent com- mission that the best selections can be made from the designs; therefore

Resolved, That one thousand dollars be and is hereby offered for plans and designs for a City Hall; that is, five hundred dollars for the first best plan, three hundred for the second, and two hundred for the third best plan, said City Hall to be erected upon the City Hall lot, at the junction of Fourteenth Street and San Pablo Road, said plans and designs to be for the best building that can be erected for thirty thousand dollars, with a view to future enlargements, either in parts or as a whole, so as when completed to be a City Hall at once thoroughly convenient and an ornament to our city, that shall cost not more than two hundred thousand dollars, and that the part now first to be built shall be sufficient for present necessities and to be complete in itself, and each design and plan shall be accompanied by specifications and estimate of cost; the successful bidder shall make such changes in his plans as may be required, without cost and above his percentage of five per cent. The successful bidder shall be the architect, and the premium for his plans be deducted from his percentage of five per cent.

Resolved, That a commission composed of Messrs. Ed. Tompkins, Ed. Gibbons, J. B. Felton, D. H. Bacon, S. B. McKee, George C. Potter, and the Mayor, be appointed to receive and examine such plans, specifica- tions, and estimates, and to report to the Council that which in their judgment is the best for adoption.

On August 24th the plans of Olney & Barnes were chosen; while, on the 5th October, James N. Olney, Jr., was employed as architect and superintendent of the building. Some hitch now followed in the perfecting of arrangements, for, it appear- ing that the total cost of the building would be much higher than anticipated, an attempt was made to postpone indefinitely its commencement. This movement, however, failed, and finally resulted in the rescinding of nearly all propositions hitherto passed on the subject. On the 19th October a communication was received from the

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committee named above, recommending the adoption of the plan of Bugbee & Son, which, on being placed in the form of a resolution, was carried, and all bids that had hitherto been received for building being rejected, Mr. Olney was retained as architect and superintendent. On October 3ist the contract for the mason work was awarded to J. S. Emery, at eleven thousand seven hundred and eighty-four dollars, and that for joiners' work to F. L. Taylor and J. V. B. Goodrich, at twenty-three thousand nine hundred and sixty-five dollars. Meanwhile the erection progressed, and direc- tions were given for its occupation after January 1, 1871.

In connection with the subject of the City Hall we may here mention that death had carried off the architect and superintendent, therefore, at a regular meeting of the City Council, held April 3, 1871, the following resolutions were introduced by Mr. Havens :-

WHEREAS, It hath pleased Almighty God, in his good providence, to remove from our midst by death JAMES N. OLNEY, JR., who had been intimately connected with the Council of the city of Oakland in the con- duct of its public affairs, therefore be it

Resolved, That we mourn the loss of our departed friend as one who had endeared himself to us as a gentle_ man in the truest sense of the word, a man ever considerate of the feelings and rights of others.

Resolved, That in the discharge of his duties to this city in his official capacity, his earnestness and honesty were conspicuously apparent, and often was his zealous faithfulness evinced at the expense of his failing health.

Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the minutes of the Council, published in all the newspapers of the city of Oakland, and a copy of the same sent to the family of the deceased.

On the evening of Saturday, August 25, 1877, ere the debts had been paid upon it, the City Hall fell a prey to the devouring element. In little more than an hour the entire building was laid in ashes. On the 27th the City Council met at Armory Hall, and passed resolutions respecting the obtaining of suitable rooms for holding their meetings; the procuring of the bell of the Presbyterian Church to strike the fire alarm; the adjusting of the insurance on the building; thanking the citizens of Oak- land for their exertions in saving the public archives; and offering a reward of one thousand dollars for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the incendiary or guilty parties who fired the building. The Council thenceforward met at No. 1217 Broadway, in a rented room, while steps were at once taken for rebuilding. Plans were adopted; the construction was put under the superintendence of Eli Strong, while Doctor Merritt tendered a clock to be placed in the tower, and the result has been the present elegant structure, of which the city may well be proud.

On August 19, 1867, the Oakland Bank of Savings filed its articles of incorpora- tion, the first directors being W. W. Crane, Jr., A. C. Henry, E. M. Hall, Samuel Merritt, and P. S. Wilcox. The capital stock was set down at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, divided into fifteen hundred shares of one hundred dollars cach. On the 2d of October, the Daily Morning Herald, published by W. D. Harwood, made its appearance; its career was short; it died on December 15th; while, on the 22d of the same month, much excitement was created by the murder of Officer Rich- ardson while in the execution of his duty.

On December 22d, 1867, Oakland and its vicinity was visited by a severe storm, that did considerable damage, uprooting trees, and creating sad havoc among the craft anchored in the San Antonio Creek.

1868 .- The first item that we find in the records for the year 1868, is the resolu-

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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.

tion of the Council not to grant permits for the erection of wooden buildings within the fire limits, passed January 18th, and, on the 25th, we have the following minute, which explains itself: " Mr. Hobart rose to a question of privilege in regard to a certain article published in the San Francisco Evening Bulletin, and presented an affidavit, setting forth that Mr. W. G. Moody was the author of said article, where- upon Mr. Campbell offered the following resolution :-

WHEREAS, A communication was published on the 16th day of January, instant, in the San Francisco Evening Bulletin, and headed "Oakland Taxation," charging upon a member of this Council dishonest, selfish, and reprehensible conduct in his official capacity, and

WHEREAS, It is proved to the satisfaction of this Council that the said communication was written by W. G. Moody, a member of the Council; therefore,

Resolved, By the City Council of the city of Oakland, that the conduct of the said W. G. Moody in publishing the aforesaid communication is deserving of censure and rebuke.

On February 17th his Honor, the Mayor, stated that the meeting had been called at his request, that an invitation be extended to the Governor and Legislature to visit Oakland and view the different State institutions located here, whereupon Mr. Moody offered the following resolution :-

Resolved, By the Council of the city of Oakland, the Mayor concurring, that the Governor, State officers, members of the Senate and Assembly, and the officers and attaches of the Legislature, are cordially invited to visit the city of Oakland on the anniversary of Washington's Birthday, Saturday, February 22, 1868, to exam- ine the site' selected for the State Agricultural and Mining College, for the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Asylum, and the site and surroundings of the proposed State University, and to partake of the hospitalities of the city.

Resolved, That the City Clerk be and is hereby instructed to make certified copies of this resolution and transmit the same to the Capital to be presented to the two houses of the Legislature on the morning of Tuesday, February 18th.

These being unanimously carried, Mr. Hobart then made the following proposi- tion :-

Resolved, By the Council of the city of Oakland that the Mayor of the city be requested to invite the officers and persons indicated in a resolution passed this day (except the Legislature) and such other guests as he may desire to attend.

Resolved, That the citizens of Oakland be invited to co-operate with the Mayor in placing their horses and carriages at his disposal, and otherwise rendering every assistance in their power, that the visit of our guests may be creditable to the people of the city.

Resolved, That these resolutions be ordered printed in the Oakland News, when it is ascertained that the Legislature accept our invitation. Carried nem. con.

Mr. Campbell, on behalf of I. H. Brayton, offered the use of the College School hall on the occasion; while, Doctor Merritt and Messrs. Hobart and Wilcox were appointed a Committee of Arrangements. On September 14, 1868, permission was granted to the Democratic club to erect a liberty-pole on Washington Square.

On March 10, 1868, a large and enthusiastic meeting was held in Shattuck & Hillegass' Hall, for the purpose of ratifying a proposition to grant a portion of the water front of the city to the Central Pacific Railroad for terminal purposes. While the Fourth of July was being celebrated in Oakland in this year, the festivities were much marred by a distressing accident at the ferry-landing, when twenty people were drowned.

Who among the old residents is there that does not remember the 21st of Octo- ber, 1868, the morning of the great earthquake, the tales of which are rife even to this

E. Haley.

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day. The shocks occurred as follows: 7:54 A. M. very heavy-direction, northeast, east and southwest, a rolling motion. Almost like a continuation of this came a whirling motion; 8:26, slight shock; 8:44, heavy shock, with rolling motion; 8:47, slight shock; 9:11 slight shock; 10:15, heavy shock, with rolling motion, and up and down movement; 3:12, slight shock; 3:17, slight shock; 4:08, double shock, up and down. It is said there were thirty-two shocks in all during that day, but these mentioned above were especially noted.

In comparison to the desolation sustained in the neighboring towns Oakland did not suffer much damage. The casualties in crockery and glass ware were very great, and many chimneys were laid low. Portions of the wharves were carried away in some instances, while walls were cracked in almost every house, and deep excitement reigned supreme in every household.

Among the Legislative Acts connected with the city of Oakland, passed in the year 1868, were: An Act to enable the city of Oakland to issue bonds to purchase lands and erect a City Hall. An Act to enable the city of Oakland to settle its land controversies. An Act constituting the Mayor of Oakland a Commissioner for appraising land granted to Terminal Pacific Railroad-one hundred and fifty acres. An Act concerning the Oakland Railroad. An Act authorizing bonds to pay judgments against the city of Oakland. An Act to change the name of the Congregational Church to the First Congregational Religious Society of Oakland.

1869 .- In his message of March 15, 1869, Doctor Merritt says: " In November, 1867, I was elected Mayor by the City Council to fill the vacancy created by the res- ignation of Mayor Crane. In the following May I was re-elected Mayor for the municipal year just closed. During this time events have transpired of vital interest to the future welfare of Oakland. The water-front controversy-of sixteen years duration-has been satisfactorily adjusted and the terminus of the Western Pacific Railroad has been secured. The market value of real estate within the city limits has advanced more than one hundred per cent .; many substantial brick buildings have been erected to accommodate increased business, and the rapid ingress of population has resulted in the construction of many elegant mansions and tasty villas in various parts of the city. Water has been introduced from the Coast Range of mountains; streets have been graded and macadamized; wharves have been built and the general appearance of the whole city has been vastly improved.

"The advantages which Oakland possesses in geographical position, salubrity of climate, fertility of soil, and beauty of scenery are beginning to be appreciated. The natural grade is so level that broad streets and avenues can be constructed and a per- fect system of sewerage established at the smallest possible expense. Being within seven miles, or thirty minutes, of San Francisco-the great commercial metropolis of the Pacific Coast-gentlemen are enabled to attend to business in that city, at the same time reside in Oakland, where their families can enjoy a climate mild and salu- brious at all seasons of the year, with scenery unsurpassed in beauty and variety. The climate of Oakland is not only healthy but exhilarating. The Coast Range of mount- ains, so formed that the cold northwest winds which prevail during the summer months, draw in through a tunnel-shaped opening upon the city of San Francisco,

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History of Alameda County, California : including its geology, topography, soil, and productions, Part 93

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood Number of Pages: 1206

Author: Munro-Fraser, J. P
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Oakland, Calif. : M.W. Wood
Number of Pages: 1206