USA > California > Contra Costa County > History of Contra Costa County, California; with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present > Part 14
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In August, 1914, H. C. Cutting established the Thinkograph maga- zine, printed in San Francisco until 1916, when he brougt it to Richmond. He established the Richmond News in 1916.
The Richmond Daily Independent made its bow in 1910, J. N. Foss and M. J. Beaumont being the owners. John Galvin bought the Foss interest, and is still connected with the paper.
The Daily News was established in January, 1914, by the Daily News Company, Inc., backed by some twenty labor organizations. In 1916 it was reduced to a weekly, and that same year H. C. Cutting took over the paper and organized the Richmond Printing and Publishing Com- pany. In 1917 the Daily News was resumed. The evening paper is the Richmond Independent; the morning paper, the Record-Herald; and the Richmond Terminal is the weekly.
Along in the early part of 1901 a post office was established on the west side of town, with Miss Lucetta Wood (now Mrs. Paul Dunlap) as postmaster. She continued in office for ten years. The post office de- partment at first designated it East Yard, to correspond with what the Santa Fe Company there called their station, in contradistinction to their yards at Point Richmond, now Ferry Point. After a while the company was prevailed upon to change the station's name to Richmond, and ulti- mately the post office department changed the post office name to Point Richmond, as there was already a Richmond post office on Barrett Ave.
TABLES
CIRCULATION OF PUBLIC LIBRARY
Main Library
West Side Branch Library
Stege Branch Library
23rd Street Station
Grant Station
Total
1910-11
16,596
4,216
20,811
1911-12
22,616
5,391
28,007
1912-13
33,043
5,895
38,939
1913-14
44,965
6,661
1,083
52,709
1914-15
66,497
10,318
3,058
79,873
1915-16
78,541
18,550
1,736
101,327
1916-17
84,233
18,300
5,854
108,387
1917-18
90,117
19,564
6,483
116,164
1918-19
100,877
14,374
5,646
120,897
1919-20
127,385
21,749
6,542
155,676
1920-21
158,278
24,997
6,934
190,209
1921-22
173,252
25,768
7,873
206,893
1922-23
194,123
28,669
9,512
320
232,624
1923-24
194,808
22,512
10,351
227,671
1924-25
238,228
24,016
11,566
1,306
275,116
1925-26
279,268
23,462
12,437
2,599
317,766
MEMBERSHIP
Borrowers' cards issued to July 1, 1925
8,953
Borrowers' cards added by new registration
1,464
Borrowers' cards cancelled
879
Borrowers' cards in force June 30, 1926
9,538
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
ESTIMATED VALUE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY
City Hall:
Natatorium :
Furnishings and Equipment .. $ 10,000.00
Land and Building $ 135,750.00
Police Department and Jail:
Furnishings and Equipment.
3,300.00
Land and Buildings
3,000.00
Parks and Playgrounds :
Equipment
2,000.00
Land 145,000.00
Fire Department:
Equipment
13,000.00
Land and Buildings
40,000.00
Street Department :
Apparatus, etc.
70,000.00
Equipment
8,000.00
Garbage Dump:
Wharves:
Land
4,000.00
Library :
Land and Buildings
+5,000.00
Furniture and Fixtures
12,000.00
Books
49,650.00
Total
$1,082,700.00
ESTIMATED VALUE OF SCHOOL PROPERTY
School
Real Estate
Furnishings and Equipment
Total
High School
$140,000.00
Building $270,000.00
$35,000.00
$445,000.00
Roosevelt Junior High School.
60,000.00
310,000.00
25,000.00
395,000.00
Lincoln
140,000.00
125,000.00
15,000.00
230,000.00
Washington
45,000.00
85,000.00
7,000.00
137,000.00
Grant
40,000.00
70,000.00
8,000.00
118,000.00
Stege
35,000.00
75,000.00
8,000.00
118,000.00
Peres.
70,000.00
+0,000.00
5,000.00
115,000.00
Fairmont
25,000.00
45,000.00
3,000.00
73,000.00
Nystrom
35,000.00
40,000.00
2,500.00
77,500.00
Pullman
10,000.00
10,000.00
800.00
20,800.00
El Cerrito
10,000.00
10,000.00
North Richmond
20,000.00
20,000.00
East Richmond
28,000.00
28,000.00
Kensington
18,000.00
55,000.00
1,500.00
74,500.00
Harding
30,000.00
55,000.00
85,000.00
Total
$1,996,800.00
FINANCIAL STATEMENT, CITY OF RICHMOND RECEIPTS, DISBURSEMENTS AND BALANCES City Funds
Balance July 1, 1925
General Fund
$123,592.74
Receipts $551,115.01 641.06
Disbursements $563,024.40
Balance June 30, 1926 $111,683.35
Compensation Insurance Fund
18,313.46
384.17
18,570.35
Library Fund
4,226.39
27,752.77
28,345.32
3,633.84
School Fund
6,101.56
10,659.68
10,798.84
5,962.40
Harbor Improvement Fund
87,769.71
27,347.11
102,706.75
12,410.07
Park and Playground Fund
18,442.09
72.00
2,715.01
15,799.08
Natatorium Building Fund
75,367.71
1912 Bond Int. and Redemption Fund
20,042.57
69,287.93
68,375.00
20,955.50
1920 Bond Int. and Redemption Fund.
3,128.75
34,801.64
35,180.00
2,750.39
1922 Bond Int. and Redemption Fund
6,191.30
7,994.75
10,100.00
4,086.05
1924 Bond Int. and Redemption Fund.
5,970.52
5,329.84
6,687.50
4,612.86
Total
$369,146.80
$735,001.79
$903,684.70
$200,463.89
School Funds Richmond School District
Balance
July 1, 1925
Receipts
Disbursements
Balance June 30, 1926
General Fund
$
4,029.42
$ 43,937.22
$ 28,870.05
$ 19,096.59
Salary Fund
159,176.05
157,418.00
1,758.05
Special Fund
8,704.92
158,625.78
127,370.08
39,960.62
Building Fund
3,257.21
289,291.27
55,688.27
236,860.21
Library Fund
3,601.65
4,000.00
3,279.71
4,321.94
Kindergarten Fund
2,147.76
13,097.06
10,752.99
4,491.83
Total
$ 21,740.96
$668,127.38
$383,379.10
$306,489.24
Buildings
425,000.00
Equipment
25,000.00
Water Front Land
67,000.00
Land
25,000.00
75,367.71
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
CHAPTER VII
PITTSBURG
The city of Pittsburg has at present (1925) an estimated population of 7500. The site of what is now Pittsburg was brought into public no- tice when the United States Army and Navy engineers investigated it as a possible military and naval base, but little ever came of their investiga- tions, though a townsite was surveyed and given the name "New York of the Pacific."
In his "Early Recollections of California" General Sherman says : "I made a contract to survey, for Col. J. D. Stevenson, his newly projected city of New York of the Pacific, situated at the mouth of the San Joaquin River. The contract also embraced the making of soundings and marking out of a channel in Suisun Bay. We hired a small metallic boat with a sail, in San Francisco, laid in some stores and proceeded to the United States ship Ohio. At General Smith's request we surveyed and marked the line dividing the city of Benicia from the government reserve. We then sounded the bay back and forth and staked out the best channel up Suisun Bay. We then made the preliminary survey of the city of New York of the Pacific, which we duly platted."
It is understood that General Sherman received $500 and ten lots in the new townsite for his services.
In 1850 a strong effort was made to remove the State's capital, then at San Jose, to New York of the Pacific.
When coal was discovered in commercial quantities the place became known as Black Diamond. The main support of Black Diamond was from the coal mines and the fishing industry; and the latter is quite an item in the present prosperity of the city. However, the present growth and development are largely due to the efforts of the late C. A. Hooper and the C. A. Hooper Company. When Mr. Hooper became owner of the Rancho Los Médanos, on which the town is located, he believed there was a great industrial future for the place, and in every way possible he aided in its upbuilding. He interested San Francisco capitalists and boosted for the town. Since his death, in July, 1914, his son-in-law, W. E. Creed, a well-known attorney of the metropolis, has managed the Hooper interests, carrying out the plans and ideas of Mr. Hooper so far as is possible.
The Los Médanos Rancho of 10,000 acres was granted by the Mex- ican government in 1835 to José Antonio Mesa and José Miguel Garcia. It was finally patented by the United States government, in October, 1872, to their successors, J. D. Stevenson and others. In 1849-1850 the Mesas and Garcia conveyed the rancho to Stevenson. The name Los Médanos is derived from the sand hills that come down to the river on the eastern boundary. Stevenson disposed of his interest to Pioche, Bayerque & Com-
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PITTSBURG. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. VIEW OF WATER FRONT
PITTSBURG, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, VIEWING ENTRANCE TO CITY FROM THE WEST, ON TENTH STREET
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
pany, a banking firm in San Francisco. They sold to L. L. Robinson, one of the pioneer mining men and railroad builders. Upon his death it be- came the property of his sister, Mrs. Cutter, and she in turn disposed of it to C. A. Hooper. Robinson had divided the large acreage into smaller parcels and had rented it out to stockmen. The name Pittsburg was be- stowed upon the city in 1911 because of its industrial possibilities.
The city has had a phenomenal growth through the concerted efforts of its leading citizens. In January, 1920, municipal bonds were voted and carried 9 to 1 for a water system, $140,000; city hall, $75,000; library, $7500; streets, $125,000; municipal wharf, $40,000; sewers, $20,000; storm sewer, $15,000; fire apparatus, $10,000; street cleaning apparatus, $7500.
The fire apparatus consists of two Seagrave engines. The service is motorized, and maintains two salaried men and a volunteer department. The fire engine arrived in October, 1920.
The city hall was dedicated April 14, 1923, and is valued at $75,000; the land upon which the building stands is valued at $25,000. In 1924 the Veterans' Memorial Building was completed at a cost of $25,000.
The schools of Pittsburg are without equal in the county. In 1915 the brick grammar school building was erected at a cost of $80,000. There is a kindergarten school, and the city is in the Riverview Union High School district. In April, 1921, bonds were voted, 329 for and 65 against, in the amount of $100,000 for a new school building, and it is a decided ornament to the city, though it is inadequate for the present attendance.
The municipal dock was completed in 1925. The Free Public Library was erected from a $20,000 bond issue. The sewer system is being gradu- ally extended by the bond issue for $40,000. The Municipal Water Sys- tem, valued at $140,000, is being extended. In 1919 the Black Diamond Water Company was taken over by the Pittsburg Water Company.
The Chamber of Commerce has 150 active members and there is an active Business Men's Association. In 1915 the Pittsburg Athletic As- sociation was formed. Its membership includes all the leading business men and officials. A block of land, donated by the C. A. Hooper Company, was improved for a recreation park, and a grandstand was erected to ac- commodate 1000 people.
A tree warden was appointed in 1915 and trees were set out on all the principal streets. The work was carefully planned by the citizens. The trees comprise many California varieties. Property owners vie with each other in lawn and flower planting. All streets are paved. Railroad Street is the principal business thoroughfare.
Pittsburg is served by the Pacific Gas & Electric and the Great West- ern Power Companies ; by the Southern Pacific, Santa Fe, and Sacramento and San Francisco Short Line railroads, with auto busses connecting with the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern electric. River boats run from the docks to and from San Francisco and river points, carrying fruit, produce, and passengers.
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
The Pittsburg Dispatch, a weekly newspaper, was started by A. P. Butterworth and H. C. Jackson, the first issue appearing on January 3, 1917. The Pittsburg Post is another live paper.
Banking facilities are provided by the Mercantile Trust Company and the First National Bank. The latter began business in 1919, C. Lepori, president.
The first brick building on Railroad Avenue was the post office build- ing, and was erected in 1912. Hotel Los Médanos, a modern hotel, was built by the C. A. Hooper Company in 1917 at a cost of $60,000.
PRINCIPAL INDUSTRIAL FIRMS
The Great Western Electro-Chemical Company, the only plant of its kind west of Detroit, is incorporated for $2,000,000. Its first officers were Mortimer Fleishhacker, president; John F. Bush, vice-president; Arthur Lillienthal, secretary and treasurer. C. W. Schedler was superintendent until 1919, when he was made general manager. Some 300 men are em- ployed at the plant.
The Pioneer Rubber Works, the largest west of Chicago, employ some 350 people and make a specialty of garden hose, 12,000,000 feet being manufactured annually. They also manufacture fire hose, belting, packing, auto tires, caustic soda and chloride of lime. They make con- veyor belts, and in 1925 filled an order for the largest belts ever made. These were two belts, thirty-six inches wide and about a quarter of a mile in length, which were installed in the sugar refinery at Crockett. The plant covers fifteen acres of ground, and the company is capitalized at $2,500,000.
In June, 1910, ground was broken for the Columbia Steel Company's plant. On November 22 of that year, the first heat was poured at the foundry, and the original casting is still in use in the yard of the plant. The original foundry was 300 by 60 feet; the original open-hearth unit, 100 by 25 feet; and at present the total is about 618 feet in the main bay. In 1916 the second open-hearth was completed; and in 1917 the finishing department was put in operation. The present capacity is 10,000 tons per month. Some 1500 men are employed in the plant, more than ten times the first month's payroll.
The Redwood Manufacturers Company was the pioneer manufactur- ing concern to locate here. The plant gets its material from the Humboldt redwoods and manufactures tanks, pipe, doors, etc. Its products are shipped to all parts of the United States and Europe.
The Lanteri Shipbuilding Company was established by B. P. Lan- teri. Here dredgers and ships are built. Some of the largest clamshell dredgers in the world have been built at this plant, which is now owned by Bundesen and Lauritzen.
The National Chemical Company; Booth's Cannery, the largest on the Coast, employing more than 1000 men in catching salmon, shad, striped
ANTIOCH FREE LIBRARY
ANTIOCH FREE LIBRARY
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
bass and catfish, and 200 to 300 men in canning and packing fish; and the Western California Fish Company, are other important concerns.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Pittsburg Lodge No. 429, F. & A. M., was organized on January 20, 1912, with twenty-two Master Masons, mostly demitted from Antioch Lodge. The first meeting was held February 20, 1912. On October 10, 1912, its charter was granted; and on November 9, the lodge was insti- tuted and officers installed. There is an Eastern Star Chapter also.
Other lodges are Pittsburg Lodge No. 436, I. O. O. F .; Los Médanos Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, I. O. O. F .; Knights of Pythias; and Loyal Order of Moose. B. P. O. E. No. 1474 was organized in October, 1923. An Elks Hall Association was formed, and a lot was secured at the south- east corner of Los Médanos and Tenth Streets for a modern Elks hall. There is an Aerie of Eagles; and the Foresters and Improved Order of Red Men are represented, as are also the Native Sons (Parlor No. 246) and Native Daughters (Parlor No. 146). David Solari Post of the American Legion was organized and named in honor of one of those who made the supreme sacrifice in the Argonne. There are also many benefit lodges and societies represented in this fast growing city.
CHAPTER VIII
ANTIOCH
The city of Antioch was first known as New York of the Pacific, and sometimes was called Smith's Landing. Its founder, William W. Smith, with his brother, J. H. Smith, both preachers, had come to California via Cape Horn in 1849 and, landing in San Francisco, he found that men were wanted by J. D. Stevenson for carpenter work at a place about fifty miles away. Being an architect, and handy with carpenter's tools, he ac- cepted a position at $14 per day and at once he and his brother embarked on the Rialto for that point, where J. D. Stevenson and Dr. William Parker had purchased a part of the Los Médanos Grant from José Antonio Mesa. Soon after the arrival of the Smiths at New York of the Pacific, they were called upon by Dr. John Marsh, who came down from his rancho and offered them the hospitality of his home.
W. W. Smith, who came from Maine, was appointed the first alcalde of the place and as such had charge of all sanitary, civil, criminal and ju- dicial affairs of his district. In carrying out the duties of his office, Smith spent $2000 in time, money, and medicines, none of which was ever repaid.
In 1850, W. W. Smith, hearing of the arrival in San Francisco of a shipload of settlers from Maine, went down and found a number of fam- ilies who wished to obtain land and settle in California. Among them were Capt. George W. Kimball and brother, a Mr. Douglass, several named
144
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
Hathaway, a Mr. Marshall and son Benjamin, and a Mr. Dennison. They came to Smith's Landing. A street was laid out running east and west, and each family who wished to settle was presented with a lot.
Pulsifer Brothers established a garden on the flat and watered it by means of a wooden pump fixed in the slough.
Smith erected the first building in the township, which was called the New York House, to which he later added a large oven for baking bread and cakes, and in which even an entire beef could be roasted. Besides earn- ing $14 a day as a builder, Smith during the evening occasionally fried $50 worth of doughnuts, and baked bread, etc., the bread being worth $1 per loaf. Men working on the river boats often paid $1 for the privilege of sleeping on the floor of the New York House in their own blankets. Later, Smith leased the New York House to his brother's widow and moved to a ranch near where Antioch now stands.
The second house was erected by John Beemer, agent for Stevenson & Parker; and he was also the first postmaster and justice of the peace. The third building was built for Dr. Forejo of San Francisco, in which H. F. Toy opened a saloon.
In 1850 Howard Nichols purchased the ship Mt. Vernon and turned it into a receiving hulk, where steamers took on and discharged cargoes and passengers. In 1851 he fitted it up as a boarding-house.
A man named Lord; H. H. Hartley, a lawyer; and a Mr. Bodfish were among the early settlers. J. C. McMaster, a Forty-niner, with Wil- liam Dupee, operated the Flying Cloud on the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers and located in Antioch. He later became a member of the board of supervisors.
On July 4, 1851, a basket picnic was held at the residence of W. W. Smith, which stood on the main street of the town. The principal topic discussed at the gathering was the naming of the town. There were be- tween thirty and forty men, women and children present. A chairman was chosen, and several names were proposed, among them Minton, after a steamer that ran up and down the river. This name was suggested in the hope that by its adoption the Minton might be induced to stop at the landing. Another name proposed was Paradise. Deacon Pulsifer arose and said that there were many claimants to the lands in California, and they might lose their lands and it would then be 'Paradise Lost'." W. W. Smith then proposed that inasmuch as the first settlers were disciples of Christ, and one of them (his brother, Joseph Smith) had died and was buried on the land, that it be given a Bible name in his honor. He suggested Antioch, and so it was acclaimed.
The first school was established in the settlement in 1850 and was held in the galley of a ship owned by Captain Mitchell, which had been moved on shore. Adelia B. Kimball, a girl of twelve, daughter of Capt. G. W. Kimball, was the teacher. She later became Mrs. A. B. Schott. The second teacher was James Cruickshank, who was followed by Mrs. Woodruff. The next building used as a schoolhouse was a small one-room
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
house near E Street. As the community grew and more room was needed, Joseph Galloway presented a site, the old grammar school lot, and a wooden building was erected. Then came a two-story brick with wooden additions which sufficed until 1890, when a substantial school build- ing was erected. Later two grammar schools were provided through a bond issue of $91,000, the old building being used for a kindergarten and the first and second grades.
On June 23, 1883, Mrs. Annie Stinchfield opened a private school for children of the primary grade.
Bonds were voted for $74,000 in 1925, and a new grammar school building was completed in 1926. The old building was razed in Septem- ber, 1926.
A religious gathering of people of the Congregational faith was early organized by a Mr. Morgan. Miss Adelia Kimball started the first Sunday school; she was assisted by Miss Drusilla Boobar and Annie Morrison. The school met in the town hall. On June 12, 1865, a meet- ing was held to organize a permanent church, Capt. G. W. Kimball be- ing chairman and Rev. J. H. Warren, secretary. The following were charter members of the First Congregational Church : Mrs. R. H. Aldon, Mrs. M. H. Boothby, G. W. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Barrett, G. C. Carmen, Isaac Hardy, G. W. Kimball, Almon Walton, S. C. Woodruff, Miss Ida Fuller, Mrs. J. C. O'Brien, David Woodruff, and William Utter.
The Catholic Church was organized in 1872, when Father V. Vinzes celebrated mass in the home of John Mulhare, where services were held for a year. In 1873 a church was built, and in 1875 Father Patrick Cala- han came as the first resident priest. In 1880 he built the rectory. He died in 1902, and Father Antone Riley took charge; and in 1905 the new and commodious church was erected through his efforts. Records at Benicia show that the property on which the church and rectory stand was deeded to the Catholics in 1850.
The Advent Christian Church was organized September 25, 1877, by Mrs. M. J. Clark, an evangelist, with a charter membership of some thirty people, many of whom were members of the First Congregational Church. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. John Schott, T. N. Wills, Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Beede, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Hardy, Louis A. Schott, and Dr. and Mrs. E. L. Wempler. Mrs. Clark served the church as pastor until Rev. W. R. Young was made the first resident pastor. He served until 1900.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in September, 1899, by J. P. Abbott and Dr. W. S. George, at a meeting held in Hamburg Hall. They were assisted by W. Dunnigan, L. S. Lafferty, and Isaac Laf- ferty. Rev. James Blackledge was secured as the preacher, and he was succeeded by Rev. Brill. In 1890 he had secured sufficient funds to build a church building.
In 1910 the Church of Christ, Scientist, held their first meetings at the home of one of their members. In July, 1911, an organization, with
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CONTRA COSTA COUNTY
fifteen charter members, was perfected, and in 1912 a lot was purchased at Fifth and D Streets. In 1915 a chapel was erected; and the first meet- ing in it was held on April 4 of that year.
San Joaquin Lodge No. 151, I. O. O. F., was instituted in Antioch on January 9, 1869. William Girvan was the first Noble Grand. Antioch Encampment No. 114 was organized October 9, 1908. J. T. Belshaw was the first Chief Patriarch. On June 28, 1888, Mizpah Lodge No. 102, D. of R., was instituted. The Odd Fellows own the old Union Hall.
Antioch Lodge No. 175, F. & A. M., was organized October 12, 1865. The First Master, under dispensation of May 21, 1865, was F. Williams, and he continued Master after the lodge received its charter. Ariel Chapter No. 42, O. E. S., was organized March 30, 1880. G. E. Wright was the first Worthy Patron, and Elizabeth Williams, the first Matron. The Masons purchased the Belshaw building in 1925.
General Winn Parlor No. 32, N. S. G. W., was organized July 26, 1884. The Native Sons are also represented by Mount Diablo Parlor No. 101, and the Native Daughters by Antioch Parlor No. 223. Antioch Aërie No. 785, F. O. E., was organized September 1, 1904, and Antioch Lodge No. 1612, L. O. M., was organized in February, 1915, with Dr. W. S. George as Dictator.
Besides these, there are the Y. M. I., No. 101; Pocahontas Lodge, I. O. R. M .; Antioch Pyramid No. 24, Sciots ; and Antioch Chapter, Or- der of De Molay. There are also the Portuguese lodges, U. P. E. C., U. P. P. E. C., I. D. E. S., and S. P. R. S. I.
In 1859 coal was discovered in the hills south of Antioch, and the de- velopment of the mines added to the prosperity of the town. A railroad was built to the mines from Antioch. In 1863 copper was discovered in the hills, and a smelter was built in the town. The mining, however, was short-lived.
The first lumber yard was started in 1864 by J. W. Galloway and E. C. Boobar, who sold to Rouse, Forman & Co., in 1877. In February, 1907, the business was incorporated as the Antioch Lumber Company.
In 1865 I. Lobree started a pottery, and three years later I. Nicholson started the Albion Pottery.
In 1899 the Antioch Paper Mill was established by M. D. Keeney. In 1900 Peter and James Brown bought the mill, added new machinery, and increased the output. In March, 1912, this plant became the prop- erty of the Paraffine Paint Company, of San Francisco, and was incorpor- ated as the California Paper and Board Mills. Numerous fires have oc- curred at the plant.
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