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 18
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The estimated population in 1925 is 1000. The living pioneers are F. Furtado, John Mello, J. D. Smith, Mrs. Olinda Joseph, and Jeremiah Mahoney.
TORMEY
Tormey was the original station between Oleum and Rodeo. It was then moved and was known as El Ciervo (The Deer). When the Selby Smelting Company came, in 1886, the hotel was erected by Mr. Tormey,
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who also built five cottages. The public school was established in 1888. In 1900 the smelting company bought the townsite and property adjacent. Mr. Tormey died in May, 1907.
COWELL
The town of Cowell is located four miles from Concord, in the foot- hills of Mount Diablo, and was established by the Cowell Cement Com- pany of San Francisco, in connection with their building the great cement works there, which were opened in February, 1908. This is the greatest plant of its kind in the world and employs hundreds of men. The rail- road was built by the company, connecting with the Southern Pacific, the Santa Fe and the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern. The first resident physi- cian for the company was Dr. W. E. Bixby.
WALNUT CREEK
This town is one of the oldest, and also one of the most beautiful in the county. Situated on the Arroyo de las Nueces ( Creek of the Walnuts ) , whose waters have eaten their way down through the rich alluvium to a depth varying from fifteen to thirty feet, and almost in the center of the great San Ramon Valley, its name does not belie its character. This lovely creek was given its name from the wild hard-shelled walnuts that grow along its course; and today both in town and all through the surrounding country, walnut trees abound-now, however, mostly the thin-shelled Eng- lish walnut, which has been grafted on the hardy native stock. Many walnut groves are found in the vicinity, and many of the splendid country roads have walnut trees planted along the margin, affording delightful shade and presenting beautiful vistas where the giant trees overarch the roadway.
The central location of the town assures it a future of importance. It is a station on the San Ramon branch of the Southern Pacific, from which are made heavy shipments of fruit, grapes, nuts, and other products.
The street improvements in Walnut Creek represent an outlay of about $60,000. The streets are of concrete and oil macadam, and extend over the major part of the town. A new fire house costing $3000 has been built, and in it has been installed a new La France fire engine pumper with a capacity of 400 gallons per minute. The cost of the engine was $7000.
A Lions Club was instituted in December, 1925.
LAFAYETTE
Lafayette is a small town situated three miles west of Walnut Creek and fourteen miles east from Oakland. It is located on the Tunnel Road, a paved thoroughfare connecting Contra Costa County with the East Bay Cities. The town had its beginning when the owner of the Rancho Alcalanes, a Spaniard named Valencia, who owed W. A. Leidesdorff, of Yerba Buena, considerable money, arranged to sell the property to get the money owing him. On February 7, 1848, Elam Brown, who had
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bought the rancho, moved his family onto it, and thereafter it was the family home for many years. After concluding the purchase, Mr. Brown sold one-tenth of the holding to Nathaniel Jones for $100, both families settling on the tract about the same time. Brown and Jones erected the first two frame buildings. Brown moved his location twice before per- manently settling. His last place was torn down in 1924.
In 1848 Mr. Brown sowed wheat, and when harvested the grain was hauled to San Jose to be ground into flour. In 1849 he bought a horse power mill in Benicia and erected it on his place. The families did their household shopping in San Jose, the nearest settlement. Mr. Jones was the first to set out trees and shrubs for family use and ornamental pur- poses.
In 1852 Benjamin Shreve came to the place, and then he and Mr. Brown gave the place the name of Lafayette.
In 1853 Milo J. Hough built the first hotel, and a cemetery was platted; also an interdenominational building was built by the people and church services were held. J. H. Gorham and George W. Hammitt were also making their homes in the new settlement.
On January 15, 1859, the Contra Costa Agricultural, Horticultural & Mechanical Society was formed, with L. I. Fish president. At the regular meeting on May 14, T. A. Brown was elected president; Elam Brown, treasurer; H. H. Fassett, recording secretary; N. Jones, corresponding secretary; W. Bradford, D. Small, E. H. Cox, W. T. Hendrick, J. O'Brien, J. A. Hamilton, D. Goodale, W. J. Caldwell, D. Carrick and José Martinez, vice-presidents. The first fair was held in Pacheco on October 11, 1859.
There was a library association organized in Lafayette in 1860, but it never functioned.
On June 6, 1859, near Lafayette, the home of R. S. Linville was burned and Mrs. Linville and two children lost their lives.
On March 8, 1863, occurred the death of Stephen Jones, father of Nathaniel Jones.
On October 8, 1864, Brown & Company opened a stage line between Walnut Creek and San Ramon, connecting with Oakland lines.
When the Tunnel Road and the Oakland, Antioch & Eastern Electric Railway were completed, a new era opened for this suburban district, and now there are many fine homes erected in the hills and valley sections sur- rounding Lafayette. An auditorium was built by public subscription and served for all public gatherings. In 1865 N. Jones started a newspaper, but it lived only two months. There is a postoffice at Lafayette, and a Methodist Episcopal church and an Improvement Club; and a new audi- torium is being erected. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the county is to be found in the Lafayette section.
SAN RAMON
This little village was originally called Limerick, but the name was changed when the railroad came. It is surrounded chiefly by a region
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devoted to general farming and cattle ranges, although the growing of fruits and grapes has made great progress. It is the terminus of the San Ramon branch of the Southern Pacific and the most southerly town in the county, and when the road is continued on to Pleasanton, and thence to San Francisco, greater activity may be expected. Some splendid places are to be found in this vicinity.
SAN PABLO
The town of San Pablo, Contra Costa County, was named for the Rancho San Pablo that had been granted to Don Francisco Castro in 1823. It was his home until his death, in 1831. In 1838 a commodious adobe house was erected by the Castros on the property. Mrs. Castro died in 1851. Juan B. Alvarado, at one time governor of California, married a daughter of Castro and they moved into the adobe in 1849, and here he died in 1882. He donated to the Catholic Church three acres of land for church purposes, and in 1854 the first Catholic Church was dedicated by Archbishop Allemany. In 1864 a new church was erected at a cost of $300 and was dedicated to Saint Paul. The Catholic Church plans a very modern building in the near future. The resident priest is Father Porta, who is beloved by all his parishioners. The Baptists also built a church later on, and this was replaced by a modern structure in 1925. It is a large and commodious building, and the congregation is a large one. Weatherby & Poole kept the first store. In 1855 Peck & Dohrman opened the San Pablo Hotel in an adobe building. Dr. Goodale was the first physician. John Wilcox and John Nicholl were large land- owners in the vicinity, as was also Joseph Emeric. John Proviso was one of the early merchants of the village. W. F. Belding was another of the pioneer merchants. In 1860 a meeting of the citizens was called to raise money for the purchase of a steamer to use as a ferry to run to San Fran- cisco from San Pablo. San Pablo Avenue goes through the town and is a good paved thoroughfare. There are now a town hall and several stores and garages in the town, and many modern cottages and bungalow homes occupied by employees of the various industrial plants in Richmond and vicinity. On account of the close proximity to Richmond, there is little to hope for as to the future of the town, but there are a number of good ranches in the district where dairying is carried on and fruit and hay are grown by the ranchers.
The oldest landmark now known in San Pablo is the Alvarado Haci- enda, built in 1838 of adobe bricks. It is about ninety feet long and had broad porches on two sides, with great overhanging gables and an attic. It is now a part of the general mass of structure known as the Belding store, at the west corner of Alvarado and Church Streets. The porchway being boarded up, it now holds boxed goods, barley and pork barrels. Little heeds the purchaser who drops into the store for a few potatoes or to pay a bill, that some seventy or eighty years ago this present store room was the Mecca each fall, after the grand rodeos, for all the Dons,
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Donnas, Senors, Senoritas, vaqueros and peons that gathered around the homes of Don Ygnacio Martinez, S. J. Tennent, Briones, Pacheco, Mor- aga, Castro, Galindo and other pioneers of the time.
It was customary in very early times for ships to anchor off shore from what is now San Pablo and Richmond, there to receive from the barges the hides, horns and tallow produced in this vicinity and adjacent interior country. There being no sale for the meat, vast herds were slaughtered for the products mentioned. The tallow was reduced in great kettles, poured into forms dug in the soil, and then taken to the ship's hold.
The fall rodeos or round-ups were followed by the great social event of the year-the Spanish fandango. In all these festivities San Pablo was the rallying point for all the grandees, with their families and attendants, throughout this entire section. For a week these gatherings were devoted solely to sports, dancing and unlimited hilarity, only to move on-a great cavalcade of horsemen, horsewomen, wagons, bedding and camp outfits- to Pinole, there to repeat the performances and then again to move on to other ranchos.
MORGAN TERRITORY
In 1856 Jeremiah Morgan, familiarly called "Jerry" Morgan, lo- cated in this section. He came from Ygnacio Valley, where he had settled in 1853. He had been on a bear-hunting expedition on Mount Diablo and in its vicinity discovered a tract of land that struck his fancy, and as a result he settled upon a tract of 2000 acres. It is situated in a pro- ductive section of the county. After he had located his family in the new home he called it Morgan Territory, and it is still known by that name. It took Morgan three days to get into the territory with his wagons in 1856. Marsh Creek has its source here. In 1857 Alonzo Plumley acquired a possessory title to half the original tract. A school was established in 1858 and William Ellis was the first teacher. In 1859 Ransome Woods, Solomon Perkins, John Gibson and C. Leeming settled in the territory. In 1860 Edward Curry bought out Gibson and Leeming.
Jerry Morgan was born in the Cherokee Nation, Ala., in 1819, and came to California across the plains in 1849 from Illinois. He died at his home on January 23, 1906.
AVON
The Associated Oil Company is responsible for the founding of the town of Avon. The company erected their refinery here and have spent many millions of dollars to build up a large plant. They have direct water transportation, and both the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific Railroads also serve the town. The oil company was incorporated in 1901, acquired the property of the National Oil Transportation Com- pany in 1905, and have direct pipe lines from Coalinga, Kern River and
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McKittrick oil fields to tidewater at Monterey Bay. In 1906 they com- pleted a line to Port Costa. In 1913 they erected their refinery on 620 acres they had purchased at Avon, as they named the town. Since that date they have been continually expanding.
HERCULES
Hercules, in Contra Costa County, is an incorporated city of the sixth class and was built up by the Hercules Powder Company in the locality of the plant where they manufacture explosives. It is adjacent to Pinole. Many of the employees of the powder works live in the town, and others reside in the nearby towns and cities. During the World War the city took on new life and there were several hundred men working in the man- ufacture of war materials.
CHAPTER XIII
LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT By MRS. ALICE G. WHITBECK, County Librarian
Previous to the establishment of the Contra Costa County Free Li- brary in 1913, the record of the efforts of small communities to supply themselves with books and magazines through clubs or personal subscrip- tions is all that we have of the early history of the library movement. These pioneer efforts met with many obstacles, but the earnest and unflag- ging zeal of a few enthusiastic workers held the clubs and associations together until the final achievement of a county-wide library system.
The struggle of each community is a story in itself, the recording of which brings back the names of many early residents now held in memory and of many more who still hold the same interest in the larger library that they did in the one of small beginnings.
MARTINEZ BRANCH LIBRARY
The Martinez Library dates back to October 24, 1883, when a little club was formed with five charter members, the Misses Julia Fish, Jane Grey Frazer, Marion Taylor, Carrie Cutler, and Louise Corbert, for the purpose of working for a free reading room. They called themselves the E. Q. V. Society, but kept steadily before them the idea of a reading-room whenever they might be able to accomplish it. In 1885 a book social was given, netting 150 books. Immediately the Martinez Free Reading-Room and Library Association was organized, officers elected, and the public in- vited to become members by paying dues of twenty-five cents a month. This membership grew and great interest was shown. The use of a room had been given by Dr. John Strentzel in a building owned by him on Main Street, and the room was prepared for use by the young people of the town. Generous contributions of time, money, and talent were given
MARTINEZ. FROM HILL BACK OF MISS JULIA FISH'S HOME
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freely in many entertainments and benefits that were devised for this purpose. In 1893 a lot on a prominent corner on Main Street was do- nated by Mrs. John Strentzel and her daughter, Mrs. John Muir. The lot was of thirty-two feet frontage by ninety-six feet in depth, and was deeded with the provision that the building placed thereon must be al- ways devoted to library purposes.
The association now filed articles of incorporation, and a deed was shortly afterward executed, which contained a provision that a two-story brick building covering the entire lot be placed there within two years, or the property would revert to the Strentzel estate. A canvassing committee was immediately appointed, and by May reported more than $1700 pledged.
Byron Brown offered free of charge his services as architect and super- visor of the building, a generous gift, since it left all funds to go to actual work of construction. Everybody was interested, and the town agreed to lease the rear portion of the lower floor-a room for town meetings and offices and a large room for the fire apparatus. The upper floor was to be leased for a term of years to the I. O. O. F., thus insuring an income with which to meet interest and reduce the debt that must be incurred to erect the building. When the bids came in, the lowest, $6371, was found to be that of C. H. Ludden, who thus became the builder. In the latter part of February, 1896, the building was completed, furnished, and occupied, with a debt of $3800 to be paid by the efforts of the association, represented by a board of seven trustees, elected annually. This debt was reduced in ten years by entertainments of all kinds to a little over $800. When the earthquake caused damages to the amount of $1400, again the people, in their interest for the welfare of the library, collected $900; so the whole debt then stood at $1300. This was paid off in the next five years. On its twenty-fifth anniversary the association's fifteen-year note of indebtedniess was burned.
With the establishment of the County Library, it was not possible to keep up the subscriptions. The town trustees then came to the aid of the institution and supplied the means of upkeep, while the County Library supplied the library service. Figures from the County Library report of 1924-25 show that a total of 43,017 books were circulated during the year. The collection of books varies in number of volumes, as a constant ex- change is maintained between it and the County Library, located on the upper floor of the library building.
ANTIOCH BRANCH LIBRARY
The first efforts in Antioch toward providing reading for the public were made by a library club, each member of which contributed five dollars as purchase price of two books. The books were exchanged at house-to- house meetings.
About 1904 Mr. Williams, with the idea of helping the boys of the town, started a small reading room in a store on Main Street, but later
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built a gymnasium and library-room on the corner of Third and F Streets. A small fee was charged for the use of the books; and with his mother, he kept this reading-room open for five or six years.
In 1911 a part of the membership of the Woman's Club started a li- brary association, each contributing one dollar a year and as many books as she could spare from her shelves. The books were kept in the club- house and were distributed each week by one of the members. Later Miss Carrie Williamson was appointed librarian, and she has had charge continuously. When the County Library was established in 1913, Antioch cooperated at once and gave the use of its clubhouse for the County Li- brary books, which, together with those accumulated, were circulated freely. Miss Williamson continued in charge.
Through the efforts of Mrs. Mary L. Fulton, Mrs. Keeney, and Mrs. Frederika J. West, funds were raised to buy a corner lot for the building which the Carnegie Corporation donated to the county. This building, costing $2550, was planned by Frances Reid. Though small, the building has proved adequate to the demands. As in all the county branches, an ex- change of books constantly keeps the collection alive. The 1924-25 County Library report shows that 16,518 volumes were circulated during the year. Miss Williamson has served continuously with great satisfac- tion to the public.
CONCORD BRANCH LIBRARY
On October 29, 1906, a mass-meeting was called and met in Odd Fellows Hall for the purpose of organizing a public library and reading- room. Dr. George Mckenzie was elected chairman and Miss G. R. Crocker secretary, with the additional names on the committee of Joseph Boyd, W. A. Kirkwood, and Mrs. F. F. Neff. At the next meeting the following permanent officers were elected: President, W. A. Kirkwood; vice-president, Mrs. H. H. Elsworthy; secretary, Miss G. R. Crocker ; treasurer, Joseph Boyd; directors, Mr. Pingree, Mr. Gehringer, Mr. Spencer, Mr. Randall, and Miss Skinner.
The first location was in the Fire Hall; and books received by dona- tions, with others borrowed from the State Library and Oakland Club, were circulated. Miss Skinner was the first librarian and Mr. Martin the first assistant, the latter receiving ten dollars a month. Dues were twenty- five cents a month. Frequent entertainments were given to provide for the new books and maintenance.
A strong interest has always been felt by the library association in the welfare of its reading-room; and when the County Library was formed, it was among the first to grasp at the idea of enlarging its usefulness and joined immediately. Mrs. Ballenger, who had been a most interested and faithful librarian for a number of years, was forced to give up the work from ill health, and Mrs. H. Elise Williams was appointed. A pleasant room in the Foskett building was rented by a continuation of this same library association, and the books and magazines were supplied by the County Library.
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A donation of $2500 from the Carnegie Corporation enabled the county to erect a small building in 1917, in the town park. Mrs. Williams was succeeded by Mrs. Ellen Thurber, the present custodian. The circu- lation of books for the year 1924-25 was 16,143 volumes.
CROCKETT BRANCH LIBRARY
In 1908 the Crolona Men's Club was formed in Crockett, the member- ship composed largely of men from the California and Hawaiian Sugar Refining Company. The company and a number of men interested do- nated about 600 volumes and provided the clubhouse. In 1910 the Y. M. C. A. assumed control of the Crolona Club. When the County Library was established, the collection housed in the Y. M. C. A. rooms became a part of the County Library. The books were accessioned and a charging sys- tem installed. After it became apparent that the club house was too small for its purpose, a new building was started in 1914 and was completely furnished and equipped by the sugar company. The building that had . been occupied was remodeled for the Crockett Girls' Club and a County Library collection placed there under the charge of Mrs. Edith Powers. Because of the use made of the larger men's clubhouse, all the books for the use of the town residents were placed in the Girls' Club clubhouse.
In 1918 the California and Hawaiian Sugar Company moved and fitted up the old Pinole Bank for a town library. This building has been entirely fitted to the needs of the company, and Mrs. Charlotte Standish has been the custodian continuously. The circulation from this branch for the year 1924-1925 was 16,143 volumes. In addition to this number of books circulated from the branch, many books are housed in the library of the Community Center and are used by the men exclusively.
WALNUT CREEK BRANCH LIBRARY
At the time of the establishment of the County Library, the members of the Woman's Club of the town were contemplating a reading-room in their clubhouse and had gathered a number of books together. They re- alized the great help that the County Library would be to them and put off the opening of their reading-room until the County Library could help in preparing and adding to their collection. For the first year a committee of ladies kept the library open and distributed the books. Later Mrs. Hempstead was appointed, and she was succeeded by Mrs. Caroline Gamble.
The library moved its quarters twice before the new Carnegie building was ready for occupancy. The lot for the building was donated by the Burgess Company, a corner on which a very delightful bungalow library was erected in 1916.
Mrs. Robinson, the present custodian, has been in charge since the resignation of Mrs. Gamble.
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PITTSBURG BRANCH LIBRARY
There had been no move to start a library in Pittsburg until a gift from Mr. Sumner Crosby of several hundred volumes made it apparent that there must be some place to house them. A room was fitted up in the town hall and locked book cases provided. Mrs. Theresa Minaker was appointed custodian and has held the position since the opening.
The library soon outgrew its quarters, and when the new town hall was built a room was planned on the second floor. This room also was soon found too small, and bonds were voted to build a building on a site donated by Mr. Wiggington E. Creed. A building designed by Mr. A. W. Corne- lius will be ready for occupancy February 1, 1926. The circulation of the Pittsburg Branch for the year 1924-1925 was 19,503 volumes, a large number of books to be given out, considering its very crowded quarters.
RICHMOND LIBRARY
The Richmond Library Club was formed on August 16, 1907, with Mrs. W. W. Felch as chairman of the library committee. The club rented a small room on the corner of Sixth and Macdonald Avenue, and the library was kept open by a committee of women, among whom were Mrs. W. W. Felch, Mrs. E. K. Smallwood, Mrs. C. Smith, Mrs. Clarence Jenkins, and Mrs. C. B. Evans. Books were donated and entertainments given to meet the expenses. In 1908 a request was made to the Carnegie Corporation for a library building, the Woman's Improvement Club having given five lots in a central location on Nevin Avenue for a site. A gift of $17,500 was granted upon the usual conditions, and in June, 1909, the first meeting of the trustees was held. Mrs. E. B. Smallwood was elected president; Harry Adkison, secretary; and as directors, Mrs. George W. Topping, L. D. Dimm, and J. C. Bedwell. Mrs. Alice G. Whitbeck, of Berkeley, was appointed the first librarian, May 2, 1910. The library was dedicated with appropriate exercises on August 17, 1910.
Great interest was shown in its development, generous and adequate support was given by the city trustees, and after three successful years, in which the library became a vital part of the community, Mrs. Whit- beck resigned to take charge of the County Library, and Miss Della M. Wilsey, of Pomona, was appointed librarian. Several changes at that time were made in the library staff. At the time of the resignation of Mrs. Whitbeck plans were made and partially carried out to install a children's room in the basement, the three years' growth proving the inadequacy of the room originally planned as such. This room, very pretty and com- plete in all its appointments, was finished, but another two years' growth showed the necessity of using the still larger assembly room for the chil- dren, and turning their room into a cataloging and work room.
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