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 16
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In 1916 a Y. M. C. A. building was dedicated. The Carquinez Wo- men's Clubhouse, the Loring Theater, Crockett Music House and Crockett Theater are among the modern buildings that ornament the town.
The town is amply protected from fire by its volunteer department with modern equipment. The Sugar Company maintains its own department, made up of its own employees. The Valona department is also a volun- teer organization. One of the latest municipal developments in Crockett was the purchase, by the city, of the old Salvation Army barracks on the north side of Loring Street, between West and Bay Streets, for a per- manent fire house. The building was remodeled after plans drawn at the suggestion of Lloyd Edwards, fire chief, who had visited many cities and made inspection of their fire houses. The plans were approved by the trustees and the building was completed and taken over by the de- partment on March 29, 1926. The building has ample accommodations for the La France Triple Combination fire engine and a combination hose and chemical cart. The upper floor is fitted out with eight single, modernly equipped and furnished bedrooms for the volunteer firemen who wish to live there. There are also a kitchenette with all appurtenances, a meeting or dining room, a fine clubroom facing Loring Street and shower baths and toilets. There are thirty-one men in the department, all volunteers. The Crockett fire department cooperates with the fire fighters of the C. & H. at all times, as do the latter with the local department when needed.
As a means of promoting good-will, there is a Crockett and Valona Business Men's Association. There are also a Citizen's Improvement Association that works continually for civic betterment, and a Girl's Club.
Almost every lodge and fraternal organization is represented in Crockett, among them : Carquinez Lodge No. 337, F. & A. M .; Crockett Chapter No. 184, O. E. S .; Crockett Lodge No. 329, I. O.O. F .; Crockett Encampment No. 43; Carmel Lodge No. 150, D. of R .; Crockett Aërie No. 774, F. O. E .; Carquinez Tribe No. 98, I. O. R. M .; Selby Lodge No. 192, K. of P .; Court Carquinez No. 1001, I. O. F .; Neola Council No. 172, I. O. R. M .; Degree of Pocahontas; Carquinez Parlor No. 205, N. S. G. W .; Court Chris Bremmer No. 166, F. of A .; Alhambra Circle No. 205, Neighbors of Woodcraft; Crockett Post No. 33. American Le- gion ; Camp Fire Girls; Boy Scouts; Carquinez Woman's Club; Contra
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Costa Chapter, U. A. O. D .; Cavour Grove No. 192, U. A. O. D .; Cro- lona Circle No. 70, U. A. O. D .; Consello Florida do Esperanca No. 59, U. P. E. C .; Council Santa Rosa No. 29, I. D. E. S .; and Carquinez Par- lor No. 234, N. D. G. W.
The Veteran's Memorial Hospital was erected in 1925, by a tax levied by the supervisors, costing about $20,000.
CHAPTER XI
EL CERRITO
The beginning of what is now one of the best residential cities in Contra Costa County took place when, in 1888, William F. Rust, a blacksmith, located a shop on San Pablo Avenue in which to ply his trade. This was then the center of a good farming community; and in order to meet the demands of ranchers, Mr. Rust leased property and built his shop. The community grew apace, and in 1909 a postoffice was estab- lished, Mr. Rust being appointed the first postmaster, which position he occupied for three years; in fact, he was postmaster, blacksmith and general counselor to the settlers of this district, which was then known as Rust. Mr. Rust is now living retired, having invested his money wisely in real estate in this district. In September, 1917, it was found desirable to incorporate the town as a city of the sixth class, and it was given the name of El Cerrito (The Little Hill). At that time the population had grown to about 1500 souls.
In 1905 a school was established and soon after a community church, under the direction of a Methodist preacher. There was, however, a Catholic church established a short time prior to that of the Methodists. Both of these congregations have grown, and in 1925 both erected new edifices. In 1916 the school was taken into the jurisdiction of Richmond; and in 1924 a modern school building was erected, where eight grammar grades are carried on. In 1926 an extensive addition was made to the building to accommodate the increase in attendance; also a modern school building was erected on Fairmont Avenue.
The estimated population of El Cerrito, in 1926, is given as about 4000. Nearly all the streets in the town are paved. During the interval from 1917 to 1924 about forty blocks of paving were laid, and during 1924-1925 $500,000 was spent on street work. A new city hall was built in 1925, also to house the fire department, and a fire alarm system has been installed. This was done through a bond issue of $65,000 voted by the people.
The first board of trustees, elected in 1917, were: Kirk Gray, P. A. Lee, J. Sandwick, G. W. Adams and P. Larson. Mr. Gray was elected chairman of the board. This board of trustees held office until the regular
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election in 1918, when P. A. Lee was chosen chairman. George Conlon succeeded Mr. Adams at this election. Mr. Lee served as chairman until April, 1924. He was succeeded by George Conlon, who in turn was suc- ceeded, in 1925, by Frank McDermott. In 1926 C. Zimmerman became the presiding officer.
The attractiveness of the city as a residential district is enhanced by its adequate street car service, with a one-fare rate to Richmond, ending at Sixteenth Street, and one fare to any Oakland point; its tax rate of ninety cents on every $100 valuation ; its modern homes, with cheap rents ; and its modern public facilities and conveniences. Ninety per cent of the residents outside of the Berkeley Country Club Terrace, own their own homes, all of modern construction and varying in price according to the demands of the owners. The city is in Sanitary District No. 7 and is served by the East Bay Water Company, the Western States Gas Company, and the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. The city limits extend along San Pablo Avenue from the Alameda County line three miles northerly, and the width averages about two miles, from the Avenue to the top of the Ber- keley Hills. The Berkeley Golf Club is located at the northern boundary of the town. The city includes about one-half of the residences on the hill, in the Mira Vista district, a suburb of Richmond. The El Cerrito Im- provement Club and the Berkeley Terrace Welfare Club have a distinct bearing on the civic development of the city; while the Parent-Teachers Association of El Cerrito looks after the educational interests of the young and growing generation. A branch of the Contra Costa County Free Li- brary is located in El Cerrito, and housed in a comfortable building on Fairmont Avenue. The Berkeley Country Club Terrace Improvement Association, which was organized on August 25, 1923, became the El Cerrito Improvement Association March 4, 1924.
At the time of incorporation of the city the assessed valuation of prop- erty in El Cerrito was $1,125,000; in 1925 the estimated valuation was a little more than twice that amount. Business of nearly every description is carried on by enterprising merchants, who esteem it a privilege to boost their town and its advantages. The principal industry inside the corpo- rate limits is quarrying. Bates and Borland and the Hutchinson Company have large quarries here. The city has one enterprising newspaper, the Journal, established in April, 1925, and published weekly by L. A. Sirard. In 1925 the old volunteer fire department was disbanded, a new depart- ment organized, and a new La France engine and chemical truck put in commission. In 1926 the fire department headquarters, along with other city offices, were moved to the new city hall.
On August 24, 1926, an annexation election was held at which territory was added to the city in order to control the San Pablo Highway. Start- ing on the highway at Bay View Avenue it runs west to Avila Street, then 100 feet south to San Diego Street, westerly to Panhandle Boulevard and southerly to the county line. This territory on the west side of San Pablo gives El Cerrito control of San Pablo Avenue for three miles.
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CHAPTER XII OTHER TOWNS OF THE COUNTY BAY POINT
The town of Bay Point is situated on a tract of government land lying between the Los Médanos Grant on the east and the Monte del Diablo or Pacheco Grant on the south and west. The land was first patented to H. H. Smith by President U. S. Grant. Smith sold his preemption and home- stead rights to Daniel Cunningham. This part of the tract bordered the bay shore. Where the Smith lumber plant now is, was the site of the old Cunningham homestead. The other part of the tract, where the business and residential parts of the town are located, was upon land patented by President Grant to Mr. Clark, who in turn sold to A. H. Neeley, a friend of Mr. Cunningham. The Cunningham heirs and Mr. Neeley sold to C. A. Smith, a large lumber manufacturer of Minneapolis, Minn., who had decided to locate his Western business in close proximity to San Francisco and manufacture and distribute his product. This was in 1907, when Bay Point was a tule bog.
Mr. Smith arranged to purchase 1500 acres with one and one-half miles of tidewater frontage from the heirs of Dan Cunningham and A. H. Neeley. The deal was consummated and the nucleus of the town was started on November 26, 1907. William Smith, from Pittsburg, started the first general merchandise store in 1908-1909. The first residence was erected by William Buholtz in 1908, the second by Samuel Gilroy that same year.
The original name of the shipping point was Seal Bluff. The Copper King Smelting Company erected a smelter and docks at a cost of $1,375,- 000. They closed down February 15, 1903. In 1890 there was a ware- house built at that point, and this was the first and only warehouse ever located at Bay Point.
Bay Point is served by the Southern Pacific, Santa Fe and San Fran- cisco-Sacramento Short Line railroads. The town is divided into two units. That part lying between the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe and the bay is devoted to manufacturing; and that between the two roads and the foothills, to residence property and business places. The main Pitts- burg and Martinez highway passes through Bay Point, and also the main county highway to Oakland.
In 1918, as a war measure, yards were established by the Pacific Coast Shipbuilding Company to build ten emergency fleet ships, Diablo being the first built. Four hundred men were given employment. The town of Clyde was built to house the employees of the shipyard. It is
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now peopled by the employees of the Associated Oil Company at Avon, and by many of the Shell employees from Martinez.
At Bay Point are located the Coos Bay Lumber Co.'s plant; stores of all kinds ; a postoffice; a graded school with 150 pupils attending, and five teachers (it is in the Mount Diablo Union High School district) ; Congregational, Catholic, and Swedish Lutheran churches; Bay Point Foundry; and the First National Bank, organized January 7, 1920, with $25,000 capital, a branch of the First National Bank of Pittsburg. There are also lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Rebekahs, the Woodmen of the World, the Royal Neighbors, and a Masonic Club.
The town has paved streets, cement sidewalks and curbs, an artesian water supply system piped into the town from the hills to the south, about one and a half miles from the Government Ranch. The population is about 800 people, and it is a thriving locality.
DANVILLE
The town of Danville, eighteen miles south of Martinez, is located in a horticultural district which was one of the early grain-raising sections of Contra Costa County. It has a population of about 400 people, and is enterprising and progressive.
Danville was started in 1858 when Daniel and Andrew Inman built a smithy. Inman sold out to J. E. Close, who carried on the blacksmith shop for years. In 1858 M. Cohen built the second building in the place for a branch establishment of the store at Alamo owned and conducted by Cohen & Wolf. This building stood for sixty years. The first hotel was kept by H. W. Harris in 1858, and he was also the postmaster. The mail came via stage from Walnut Creek. P. E. Peel conducted the second store. He was succeeded by John Conway, who carried on the business for many years.
There are two versions given regarding the naming of Danville. One is that it was named for Dan Inman, the man who built the first building. Another is that the honor was given "Aunt Sallie" Young, who named it Danville after Danville, Ky., her birthplace.
There had been a schoolhouse erected in the valley, about a mile from the townsite, in 1858; this was moved into the town in 1870 and put on a lot in the south end of the town, where the first grammar school was built in 1865. This building burned, and the country schoolhouse was moved onto the plat of ground. A new building was erected in 1895 and did duty until 1922, when the new building was erected at the north side of the town. This modern building was built from a bond issue of $15,000. In 1910 the Union High School was established at Danville, known as the San Ramon Valley Union High School, and school was held in temporary quarters until the present high school building was erected on a site adjoining the new grammar school.
In 1872 Granger's Hall was built. The Grange is still a live organi- zation of the district.
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Church services were first held in the vicinity in 1857, in a private house, by Rev. D. McClure, a Presbyterian preacher. After 1858 serv- ices were held in the schoolhouse. On October 1, 1875, the cornerstone was laid for the first church edifice, a Presbyterian church, and in June, 1876, the building was dedicated, after the indebtedness of $2500 had been fully paid. On January 1, 1876, Rev. R. S. Symington took charge of the church work, and to him is largely due the building and finishing of the church. Danville now has, also, a Catholic church.
There were a number of sturdy pioneers to whom great credit is due for the upbuilding of Danville and vicinity. Among them we mention Thomas Flournoy, who owned a ranch on the east side of the creek; J. E. Close, a blacksmith, who purchased the Inman shop; R. O. Baldwin, who owned a large ranch southwest of town; James Stone, a neighbor of Baldwin's; A. J. Young, who taught school for years; a Mr. Kerr, who owned 200 acres adjoining the town on the west, and who sold this ranch to James Stone, who sold to John Hartz; R. B. Love, a large rancher in this section; and W. Z. Stone, William Meese, Charles Wood, the Boone family, Dr. J. L. Labaree, D. N. Sherburne, A. J. Young, and Bruce Stone (who came in 1860), the last two named being still alive. De- scendants of Flournoy, Close and Baldwin are still represented here; also Mrs. D. N. Sherburne is still here.
In 1891 the San Ramon branch of the Southern Pacific reached Dan- ville, at which time new impetus was given the town. John Hartz sur- veyed and sold town lots in an addition which includes the southwest part of town. The Oakland, Antioch & Eastern Electric Railway came in 1914, but this road was abandoned in 1924 as unprofitable and the tracks were taken up.
The San Ramon Valley Chamber of Commerce was organized with A. S. Ormsby as its first president; Will Meese, secretary; Dr. Fred Booth, vice-president; and A. H. Cope, treasurer. The Chamber took in San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Tassajara and Lafayette. In December, 1924, the Chamber was reorganized without Lafayette and Walnut Creek. At this time, 1925, E. C. Weister is president and Mrs. Jessie Higley, secretary.
Danville Lodge No. 378, I. O. O. F. was instituted on July 26, 1892. Other fraternal organizations are: Danville Lodge No. 123, Daughters of Rebekah ; Danville Grange No. 85, P. of H., which has about 200 mem- bers and is a strong organization; the Foresters of America; the U. P. E. C .; the I. D. E. S .; and the Woodmen of the World. The Odd Fel- lows, in conjunction with the Patrons of Husbandry, erected a social and fraternal hall in 1912.
In 1923 a district fire company was organized with a fine motor chem- ical engine. The district covers Alamo, Danville and Tassajara, and the upkeep is paid by taxation.
The Veterans' Memorial Hall, one of the recent modern buildings, 6
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was erected by a fund apportioned by the board of supervisors, and cost about $20,000. It is in honor of the soldiers of the World War.
The San Ramon Valley Bank is the financial bulwark of the town, and occupies its own building. It was organized in Walnut Creek in 1907, and the Danville branch was established in 1911. C. W. Close is resident manager.
The products of the country surrounding the town include walnuts, pears, and prunes in the valley; and on the sloping hills grain and hay are raised. These products are shipped over the Southern Pacific and by motor trucks to Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. A large business is done in trucking.
A bus line is operated during the summer season over a scenic boule- vard to the top of Mount Diablo, which is one of the great attractions for tourists.
MOUNT DIABLO COUNTRY CLUB
The Mount Diablo Country Club was organized by George W. Mc- Near and a number of his associates who were golf enthusiasts. Property was purchased in Contra Costa County in the foothills of Mount Diablo and extensive grounds were laid out on the 600 acres. Here is one of the best eighteen-hole golf courses with grass greens and fairways to be found in the State. Tennis courts and ample provision for other recreational games are also to be found here. One of the most modern club houses has been erected and is the scene of frequent and enjoyable banquets. There is a fine reservoir lake, with bath house and swimming pool; and black bass abound in this lake. A paved road leads to the club property, which lies three miles from Danville to the east. Besides being an ideal recreation center, it is also an ideal home place and some half-hundred fine homes are now built within the confines of the property. The club has its own water supply, which is adequate for all purposes, the water being piped four miles down to the grounds. The club membership is limited to 400 and is made up of people from the east bay cities. The officers of the club are: George W. McNear, president; W. S. Dinwiddie, vice- president; Roy L Pratt, secretary. The board of directors, in addition to the above named, are: William Dolge, Bernard Ransome, Hon. L. R. Weinmann and William Cavalier.
ALAMO
The village of Alamo, which means Poplar in Spanish, is a settlement two miles north of Danville and sixteen miles south of Martinez, on San Ramon Creek. In the early days this section of the county was settled by the Spanish families, Francisco Garcia being one of the pioneers living on the San Ramon Grant near this particular spot. On October 3, 1852, D. P. Smith settled east of the place. At that time there were but four houses between this place and Martinez. In 1852 David Glass started a small trading-post at his place.
Henry Hoffman opened the first store in the village, having bought David Glass' stock. This firm soon after became known as Wolf & Com-
0
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pany, Mr. Hoffman retaining an interest. George Englemire opened the second place in 1852, and ran a shoe shop and general store. The post- office was established in 1853 at the home of John M. Jones, who was postmaster, assisted by his wife, Mary A. This was the only postoffice between Martinez and Mission San José, the carrier making a round trip once a week, with a horse and cart. In connection with their store, Wolf & Company opened a hotel. In due time other shops were opened, a har- ness shop, meat market and smithy. The third building was of brick and was occupied by Wolf & Company, who soon opened a hotel in connection with the store; Mr. Hoffman, retaining an interest in the store, was man- ager of the hotel. When Wolf & Company moved to Danville, Mr. Hoff- man sold his interest in the store to remain as hotel-keeper of Henry's Hotel. He took a partner named William Maxey in the late fifties.
In 1857 James Foster opened a wagon and carriage shop. He also made furniture and coffins. The timbers in his shop were shipped from Maine around the Horn.
In January, 1858, Albert W. Stone arrived in the settlement; and that same year J. C. Peterson and F. L. Hamburg also came. Lomax & Smart had a general store, and overhead was the Masonic Hall where Alamo Lodge No. 122, F. & A. M., which was instituted in 1858, held its meetings. In 1860 a two-story brick building was built on the west side of the street by Wolf & Cohen, and the Masons moved their lodge room to the upper floor. The bricks in this building were made by G. W. Webster from clay on the Van Gorden place, the kiln being erected on Rancho El Rio, across the creek. The earthquake of 1868 damaged this building and it was torn down, and the Masons moved to Danville.
In 1854, a Cumberland Presbyterian church was erected south of town, and that same year the first school opened in the valley, with Richard Webster as teacher. For a time school was held in the home of Captain Wall, and it was known as the Wall School.
In 1859 the Contra Costa Educational Association built the Union Academy, a boarding and day school, which was opened in June, 1860, Rev. David McClure being the principal. This building was located be- tween Alamo and Danville and was a three-story structure. John H. Braly succeeded McClure, and Robert King followed Braly. The build- ing burned in 1868 and was never rebuilt.
In 1860 Daniel Selley located in Alamo.
In 1862 tobacco was first raised here by Stout and Peden.
In March, 1861, Rev. T. M. Johnston published the Pacific Cumber- land Presbyter, a religious paper.
In connection with the activities of Rev. T. M. Johnston, we glean a few items from a diary kept by him and now in the possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. C. M. French, of Merced. It seems that Rev. John- ston came to California on account of ill health, as his diary starts back
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on February 21, 1859, when he writes from some point back in the East en route by stage to California :
"Albuquerque mail arrived early."
"March 6-Arrived at Ft. Smith, stopped at St. Charles Hotel."
"March 22-Passed Ft. Fillmore and crossed the Rio Grande."
"March 27-Arrived at Ft. Yuma."
"April 1-Passed Visalia last night."
"April 4-Arrived at What Cheer House in San Francisco."
"April 6-Started for Stockton, went to Napa City, took stage for Benicia, where took boat for Stockton."
"Sunday, January 20, 1861-Preached at Lafayette."
"Sunday, March 10-Preached at Alamo."
"May 29, 1861-Married John O'Brien and Mrs. Mary E. Craw- ford."
"June 8, 1861-Hail storm today."
"December 26-Rained excessively all day. Creek higher than I ever saw it."
"Friday, April 22, 1864-Preached funeral of James Foster's child today to a large congregation."
"December 21, 1864-Married Albert G. Wilks and Jane Toomey today at house of J. T. Walker."
"January 1, 1867-Mrs. Isaac Yoakum died about 5 p. m. today."
"February 26, 1871-Preached funeral sermon of Roxana Simpson at Sycamore school house."
"Sunday, March 8, 1874-Received this day by express a package containing books and apparatus of deputy assessor."
"March 10-Commenced assessing today."
. "Saturday, April 4-Difficult to assess foreigners."
Rev. Johnston was a traveling preacher and missionary. He spent a great deal of his time traveling about from Visalia to Napa, Sacramento and Stockton, organizing congregations and helping to build up churches.
PACHECO
Located five miles south from Martinez is the village of Pacheco, once the most likely town in all Contra Costa County, but now a cross-road village. The first house to be erected in the vicinity was the residence of G. L. Walrath, which was built in 1853. This place was purchased by George Loucks in 1856. Lathrop, Fish & Walrath owned a warehouse, which afterwards became the property of Bray Brothers of San Fran- cisco. In 1857, soon after locating in Pacheco, Mr. Loucks built a large warehouse, 150 feet long, and the next year added 125 feet to it. This stood about a mile from the townsite, on Walnut Creek. On account of the stream filling up with silt, in 1862, this warehouse was moved further down stream. In 1857, W. K. Hendricks bought some land from Mr.
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Loucks and built a mill. The first sailing vessels to call at Loucks' wharf were the C. E. Long and the Ida. F. L. Such had a lime kiln, and the first vessels to enter the creek came for his products.
In 1860, Dr. J. H. Carothers, with Hale & Fassett, bought land and laid out a townsite. J. B. Abbott made the survey and Hale & Fassett erected the first store, which was occupied by John Gambs. Capt. Ludwig Anderson built his home in 1860. That same year Elijah Hook built a brick building; J. H. Fray's fireproof building was completed; and a man named Woodford started the first hotel. Thus the town was started.
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