USA > California > Alameda County > Oakland > Illustrated album of Alameda County, California; its early history and progress-agriculture, viticulture and horticulture-educational, manufacturing and railroad advantages-Oakland and environs-interior townships-statistics, etc., etc > Part 12
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PLATE 27
RESIDENCE OF JAMES SHINN, NILES CAL.
COUNTRY HOME OF LORING PICKERING, NILES, CAL
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ILLUSTRATED ALBUM OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
until self-supporting-is from $50 to $100 additional per acre. Twenty acres of vine land in full bearing will support a family comfortably. The product is from three to six tons per acre, being rather as to quality than quantity. The prices per ton for the common varieties range from $12 to $20, and for the higher grades of Bordeaux and Sauterne from $40 to $50. Estimating at these figures, a vineyard in full bearing will net from $100 to $200 per acre. No irri- gation is necessary in this district even in the driest seasons, as moist soil is found within four inches of the surface after a lapse of five months after the last spring rains. It is claimed that no variety of wine, raisin, or table grape now grown in the Livermore Valley can be produced in any part of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains.
The growth of grapes and production of wine is only one of the industries of this township. A few years after the setting out of the first vineyards, A. T. Hatch, a large fruit grower of Solano County, made an examination of the soil and the climatic conditions, and, being satisfied of the adaptability of both to the production of certain varieties, purchased several hun- dred acres of land in the Livermore Valley. He, in conjunction with several other gentlemen, planted several hundred acres of almonds, and the remain- der in French prunes, Bartlett pears, and other fruits. These are now in bearing and produce well.
A peach orchard on the Cresta Blanca ranch of C.A. Wetmore, of seven acres, in the fifth year after plant- ing, produced forty-two tons of fruit, and the brand of Chateau Yquem wine (Sauterne) from the same farm took the gold medal at the Paris Exposition of 1889, the judges being unable to detect any difference be- tween it and the best French wine of the same brand. It was also awarded the premium at the recent Me- chanics' Institute Fair.
Apricots and prunes in this township also produce well and it is a question whether or not they may not prove as acceptable and profitable a crop as the high type wine grapes, for the reason that there is less de- lay in receiving returns and less output necessary in marketing them.
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The principal towns in the township are Livermore and Pleasanton. The former is an incorporated town and has gained in population three to four hundred per cent in the past ten years, and its taxable property has increased in value from $250,500 in 1882 to $620,000 in 1893. It has a sprightly newspaper, the various religious and fraternal societics, etc. At Pleasanton is the stock farm of the late Count Guilio Valensin, where several famous racing horses were raised and
trained. The hops grown in and around Pleasanton are the finest grown on the coast.
The total valuation of the two hundred and thirty- three thousand seven hundred and forty-five acres in this township in 1882 was $3,163,965; in 1892 it was $6,189.670.
There are to be found in the township coal, mag- nesia, manganese, manganite, chrome and mineral paint, but they have not as yet been developed. A shaft has been sunk for a coal mine, though the taking coal in any quantities has not yet been carried cut by the owner. Crude oil has also been found, and indi- cations of petroleum oil and natural gas were dis- covered recently, and there is an intention of organiz- ing a company to prosecute the search for natural gas so as to supply another illuminating and heat product for Oakland and San Francisco. The nearest natural gas so far in use is across the Contra Costa Range at Stockton, in San Joaquin County.
CHAPTER XI.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Its Location, Products-Agricultural, Horticultural, Viticul- tural-Natural Advantages, etc.
The township of Washington is in the southwestern corner of the county. It is the second in size in the county, containing an area of eighty-eight thousand eight hundred and thirty-eight acres, and is about twelve miles wide by thirteen in length. It is a level alluvial plain, bounded westerly by the shore of San Francisco Bay, on the east by the foothills; on the westerly border are salt marshes, embracing many acres, but many of these marshy tracts are gradually filling up and are only overflowed by the highest tides, while others would require oniy a small dyke to be secure at all times from tidal overflow. There are now between thirty thousand and thirty-five thousand acres of this marsh land. A great portion of this can be reclaimed. About thirty thousand acres of the re- maining land is under cultivation.
In this township was the original settlement of the mission fathers years ago, and the cultivation of the soil at Mission San Jose. It isincreasing year by year in valuation. In 1882 the total valuation of the entire township was $4,175,402. This has increased in the ten years to $5,289,999, or upward of $100,000 per year.
One remarkable thing in this township is a belt about three miles broad by twelve long where there are no frosts during the coldest winters. This is true of no other part of the county. There is very little
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ILLUSTRATED ALBUM OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
frost anywhere in the county, but in the seetion mentioned there is none, and the orange, lemon, olive, magnolia, camellia and other semi-tropical fruits and flowers grow out-of-doors. The old Mission of San Jose, where the Spanish missions were first established, is in this township and in this warm belt. It begins at about two hundred feet altitude and its bounds are very plainly defined. It extends a little way into the valley and back upon the foothills. The choicest vineyards and orchards at Niles are in this favored belt, where almonds bear as in only a few other spots in the State, and where oranges, lemons, the date palm, bananas and other semi-tropic growths are to be seen. From Niles along the foothills to Mission San Jose and Warm Springs the elimate is much the same. At points there is more wind; some are more sheltered; some appreciably warmer than others, but, all in all, this thermal belt of southern Alameda County will safely bear comparison with the best portions of counties much further south.
The alluvium of this township is broader in extent and of greater depth than anywhere else about the bay. It is, in general, a rich black loam, which is found to rest upon a substratum of gravel and sand at a depth of from six to thirty feet, which latter depth is found at Niles. From the presence of this layer of gravel a natural system of subsoil drainage is main- tained of such excellence that the soil may be turned up from any depth and yet be found always moist without being saturated. As the ascent is made toward the foothills, the alluvium is gradually left be- hind, and in its place is found a soil lighter in color, somewhat gravelly and dry, but in the main fertile, and especially valuable for fruits. Across the north- ern portion of the township runs the Alameda Creek. Its eastern boundary is found in the bed of the Calaveras Creek. These, with a number of sloughs upon the bay shore, the well-known Mission Creek, the several more or less permanent brooks of the mountains, are the water courses of the township. This township justly elaims among its valued achieve- ments the possession of a fruit belt of unusual extent, variety and value, the first establishment on a pay- ing basis of the sugar beet industry of California, which has grown into one of our most valuable indus- tries, and the possession of a famous wine district, second to none in the State. Nurseries among the largest in California have been established on Alameda Creek, near Niles. In a few years Niles, Decoto, Centerville and the Mission San Jose will be known as among the heaviest shippers of deciduous fruits, table grapes, wines, nuts, dried and eanned fruits. The whole region, for miles, is destined to become one
vast orchard, and the hill slopes one continuous vine- yard.
The wine industry of Washington Township, great as it is, has only just made a fair beginning, and yet the assessment roll of the township shows one hun- dred acres in table grapes and raisins, and two thou- sand two hundred acres in wine grapes, each acre yielding from two to seven tons of grapes. It has been estimated by careful observers that this one township has two million one hundred and fifty-five thousand vines, producing about four hundred thou- sand gallons of wine each year. The chief vineyard- ists and wine makers in this, one of the richest wine districts of California, are Josiah Stanford and John L. Beard at the Warm Springs, and Juan Gallegos and Chas. C. McIvor at the Mission San Jose.
Warm Springs was at one time a noted sanitarium, but, with a change in the ownership of the property, it was diverted to other uses. Yet if at any time it should be deemed advisable by the present owner of the property to develop its resources in this direction, there will not be found a place in the country which could offer superior advantages. Situated in the heart of the strange thermal belt, with its equable cli- mate, and abundantly supplied with invigorating and tonic mineral waters, it might be made a very Califor- nian Ems.
One of the chief evidences of the value of Washing- ton Township fruit lands is the disinelination of the own- ers to part with them. Very little land is for sale in the region, and yet it is being improved and is mostly in small holdings already. Washington Township has also a large acreage in vegetable land, along the ereeks and bay, second in quality to none in the State. On the warm hills land, rated only a few years ago as cheap pasture land, worth only $20 per aere, rents for over half that per year for early vegetables, such as peas and potatoes. The line of cultivation is rapidly extending into the foothills, and another generation will discover that of the more than thirty thousand acres now rated as untillable, hardly ten thousand are really so. Another extension of the line is toward the marshes. Reclamation plans now under way will soon bring into cultivation thousands of acres of boundless fertility, now subject to tidal overflow.
The township is traversed by two railways, both under control of the Southern Pacific Company. The narrow-gauge road skirts the marshes and passes through the western part of the township. The broad guage skirts the hills some miles to the eastward. The principal villages on the line of the narrow-gauge railroad are Alvarado, the former county seat, and Newark, where are the shops of the Southern Pacific
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PLATE 28.
PACIFIC COAST OIL CO.
S.P. R.R. BROAD GAUGE
LOW GAUGE RA
PACIFIC COAST OIL COMPANY'S REFINERY, ALAMEDA POINT, CALA. GEN. OFFICE, 13 PINE ST., SAN FRANCISCO.
RES. OF H. CURTNER, WARM SPRINGS
RES. AND ORCHARD OF H. CROWELL IRVINGTON, CAL.
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ILLUSTRATED ALBUM OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Coast Railroad. Decoto, Niles, and Irvington are the most considerable places upon the broad-gauge road. Centerville and the Mission San Jose are the centers of much trade, and are thriving towns, though not upon any railroad line.
At Irvington, in this township, is the immense winery erected some years ago by Juan. Gallegos. In this vicinity, and that of Mission San Jose, are a few orange orchards, where as fine navel oranges and seed- lings are grown as anywhere else in the State, not ex-
cepting the southern part or the northern citrus belt. In the vicinity of Niles the sanie is true, and at this point also are grown fine cherries and all the various varieties of almonds to perfection. A great deal of fruit from the lower end of this township and from about Niles goes each season to the canneries and drying establishments at San Jose. Considerable quantities of fruit are sun dried in this vicinity, and it is a fact that about three hundred tons of dried fruit were shipped from Niles during the season of 1893.
Description of Illustrations.
Below is an explanation of the scenes represented by plates, not mentioned in general matter.
Plate No. 2 .- Situated upon the shore of Lake Mer- . ritt, stands the residence and beautiful surroundings of M. W. Murry. The house was built several years ago, before the influx of modern architecture with its many fanciful designs was inaugurated. The build- ings are very substantially constructed of wood. The finest of the woodwork inside the house is of solid black walnut. The walls and ceilings of the house and billiard room are beautifully and richly frescoed. The grounds contain many of the choicest trees and flowers; a large and artistic fountain stands in the yard; in other parts of the grounds stand many pieces of artistic statuary, making one of the most attractive homes in the city.
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Plate No. 3 .- Represents Ruby Hill vineyard. Ruby Hill is an estate consisting of four hundred fifty acres situated in the most favored part of the celebrated Livermore Valley, forty miles from San Francisco. It is the property of J. Crellin & 'Sons, and was espe- cially selected as a site for a vineyard to be devoted to the highest qualities of French wine types, -- Sauternes, Medocs, and Burgundies. Two hundred and fifty acres are now in full bearing, all of which are of the choicest imported varieties. A large and complete winery and distillery is in full operation, where the choicest wines and brandies of three vintages are ina- turing continually.
The situation of this property is one of the most picturesque, and the quality of the soil, being gravelly alluvium from cretaceous and calcareous hills, is a guaranty of the high promise of future vintages.
The following wines can be obtained in glass or bulk: Haut Sauterne, Sauterne, Riesling, Burger, Cabernet, Burgundy, Zinfandel, and brandy.
Post office address, J. Crellin & Sons, Pleasanton, California.
Plate No. 4 .- Represents the home of Ex-Governor Geo. C. Perkins, one of the representative men of Cal- ifornia, who is agent and owner in company (Goodall, Perkins & Co.) of several lines of steamships, running from San Francisco to Los Angeles, San Diego, and Mexico, up the coast to Oregon and Washington, also to Alaska.
This residence is beautifully located on "Vernon Heights," elevated sufficiently to give a fine view of the bay and surrounding scenery. It is on the line of Piedmont Cable Railroad, fronting south on Oakland Avenue, occupying the entire frontage of the block from Vernon Avenue to Orange Street. North one- half block the outside of the grounds along the walks are planted Australian palms, inside the grounds by the walks and drives and on the lawn and flower gar- dens are various kinds of trees and flowers, including the fan palms, pampas grass in dress plumes, which resemble large white feathers. On the right of the residence is a large and ornamental conservatory, filled with the choicest of flowers and plants.
The residence itself is of modern architecture, orna- mental as well as substantially built.
Plate No. 5 .- Near the village of San Leandro is the home of F. S. Hastings, only six acres, but on this small farm there is a richness and variety of fruit that is delightful to behold. The house and outbuild- ings are built of wood. The house is square, rather ornamental, and contains a large, cool basement. In front, along the road, is a row of large pepper trees.
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ILLUSTRATED ALBUM OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Plate No. 6 .- Situated right in the heart of the city of Oakland, at Twenty-fifth Street and Telegraph Ave- nue, is the palatial home of J. M. Merrell. Thegrounds occupy one block on Telegraph Avenue, from Twenty- fifth to Twenty-sixth Street, west about six hundred feet. The residence itself is a very ornamental piece of architecture of wood, is large, roomy, and spacious, with verandas, conservatory, etc. The grounds are among the largest of city gardens, and are set with all the different varieties of trees, plants, and flowers, peculiar to this and foreign climates. Upon three sides of these spacious grounds is a substantial iron fence, which adds greatly to the general appearance of the place. Outside the grounds and walks are trees, and, although they are quite shady and conspicuous, they are only three years old. While this picture gives a good idea of the house, grounds, walks, etc., it em- braces a good deal more. Upon the adjoining block all of the buildings are represented. Back of these in a general way is seen a good portion of the city of Oak- land. Still further in the background is seen the bay and city of San Francisco, and the Golden Gate en- trance to the harbor, also several islands in the bay. To the right in the distance are the hills of Marin County; the highest point is Mt. Tamalpias.
Plate No. 7 .- On East Oakland Heights, looking toward Oakland and San Francisco, are the home and beautiful grounds of Hon. H. G. Blasdel. Mr. Blasdel has been a resident of California several years, but in the early history of the State of Nevada he was twice elected governor of that State. It is on the line of the Twenty-third Avenue electric railroad. The grounds are elevated, and from all points, especially from the second story of the residence, is a fine view of the bay looking west, and also of the hills and valley to the south and east. The residence is a large square frame building, relieved with commodious verandas, bay win- dows, etc. It istwo stories above the basement, finished with all modern improvements, making a most attract- ive and beautiful home. The picture not only shows the land comprising the homestead, but considerable more. Surrounding this are a large number of lots that are most desirable for residences, being situated so near rapid transit railroads. They are for sale on very easy terms.
Plate No. 8 .- Represents Edwin Whipple's res- idence.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN C. WHIPPLE, ESQ.
Plate No. 9 .- The residence of J. C. Whipple is sit- uated on his farm of 400 acres in Washington Town- ship, one mile from the town of Decoto. Mr. Whipple's farm and the land in the vicinity are among
the finest in the county, the soil being very rich, yielding forty bushels of barley to the acre. It will also produce fifteen tons of sugar beets per acre. The land in this locality is valued at three hundred dollars per acre and pays a profit of three per cent on the investment. Mr. Whipple has a herd of fifty short- horn Durham cattle, also a large number of work and stock horses. He is also interested, with his brother, Edwin Whipple, in several hundred acres of land about a mile distant. He is a pioneer Californian, coming to the State early in the 50's. He is well known throughout the county and State.
Plate No. 10 .- Is a view, looking east, of Castro Valley, which is known as a very fertile section of Alameda County. This valley is so sheltered by sur- rounding hills that tropical fruits are grown here suc- cessfully. Some of the finest lemons and oranges produced here are the best specimens the county affords. The foreground of the plate represents the home of J. H. Strobridge, situated in Eden Township, about one and one-half miles east of the town of Hay- ward, known as the Laurel Ranch. The farm consists of two hundred twenty acres. Mr. Strobridge also has some very fine blooded horses and gives considerable attention to stock raising.
Plate No. 12 .- Represents the orchards of E. S. Denison, situated at Niles. The upper view is an almond orchard of 20 acres; the trees are all young, but a good many are bearing fruit. The other view shows an orchard of a variety of fruit trees consisting of cherries, apricots, pears peaches, plums, apples, etc .; it contains about 15 acres. Although these orchards are not very extensive, the fruit is of a choice variety and yields very abundantly, nestling under the foot- hills at Niles, making a variety of scenery in mountain and valley that is delightful to look upon. Mr. Den- ison resides in Oakland. He makes fruit raising a part of his otherwise busy life.
_Plate No. 14 .- Represents the home of Charles Nelson. This beautiful spot is situated about two miles east of Oakland on Seminary Avenue. This avenue runs from the county road to Mills Seminary. It is near the hills, and in fact a part of the grounds are a little rolling. From the entrance along the driveway to the house on both sides of the way are planted some Monterey cypress trees. As will be observed by the picture, they resemble square blocks. This is the way the trees are trimmed and is purely a matter of taste. These indeciduous trees can be cut into most any shape or design desired. The grounds also contain choice fruit and ornamental trees.
Plate No. 23 .- It has been the carnest desire of the promoter of the Olivina, to produce delicate table
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ILLUSTRATED ALBUM OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
wines, of a character of excellence to compare favor- ably with the renowned vintages of Europe. How far the planting of foreign vines and researches in the vinelands of Europe, supplemented with fine formations of soil and a perfect climate, with the generous sun- shine during the ripening period, have contributed to this attainment, can best be determined by a study of the several types of the Olivina vintages. These vines ivill be listed at the Viticultural Restaurant and Café, in the California State Building in the Columbian Expo- sition.
The Olivina Pavilion will be located in the Wine Department of the Horticultural Hall, where connois- seurs, interested parties, and the trade generally, are requested to introduce themselves and test the qualities of the Olivina wines and brandies.
Plate No. 26 .- Represents the home and vineyard of James Concannon. This place is situated one and one-half miles southeast from the town of Livermore, in Livermore Valley. The farm contains 47 acres, mostly in vines. The kinds of grapes raised are Corignan, Matars, Grenache, Zinfandel, Burger, Folle, and Reanche. A few acres only are devoted to other fruits.
The average yield of grapes is about three and one- half tons per acre. Mr. Concannon manufactures wine from his and others' grapes to the amount of fifty to sixty thousand gallons annually. His wines being of excellent quality, he supplies a great deal to the local retail trade, as well as to the wholesale. Mr. Concannon commenced here nine years ago, and, with care and enterprise, he has built up a large trade in grape cuttings. Four years ago his first crop of cuttings amounted to one hundred thousand. Now he sells one million annually, mostly to Mexico. The residence is a snug cottage with a good-sized wine cellar.
Plate No. 26 .- In the beautiful city of Alameda, which is situated near Oakland, is the home of E. L. Scheffelin. It is on Central Avenue. It is one of many beautiful places in this city of homes. There are larger and more imposing buildings than this one, but it is of modernarchitecture, two stories, frame, finished com- plete, and contains all that makes a home substantial as well as ornamental. Thegrounds are nicely laid out with cement walks and bordered with all the choicest plants and trees that abound in this semi-tropical climate
Plate No. 27 .- Situated near the village of Niles is the country residence of Loring Pickering, as the picture represents, a very comfortable two-story frame building with outbuildings. The grounds are taste- ully laid out with a variety of flowers and many of
the trees peculiar to this climate. In the rear is a large orchard of fruit trees, vineyards, etc. Mr. Picker- ing is an old citizen and representative man of Cali- fornia, and has long been identified with and engaged in journalism, being editor and publisher of the San Francisco Call. Together with his family he spends the summer months in this rural home, returning to his palatial home in San Francisco for the winter.
RESIDENCE AND FARM OF JAMES SHINN, ESQ.
Plate No. 27 .- This farm, near Niles, Washington Township, is mainly a rich alluvial soil, made by the deposits from the Alameda Creek, and is what is usu- ally described as sandy loam. This soil is of the type of the best fruit and vegetable lands of California, and is justly famed for its ease of cultivation and its remarkable richness in all the elements that are needed for plant growth. In fact, all of this land has been in. cultivation for about forty years, and while it does not, of course, produce in the prodigal abundance that it did when it was virgin soil, it still does, without fertil- izing or much change of crops, produce in such large quantities that, should I give them, people who are not used to California soils would not believe.
There are over ten thousand fruit trees on the ranch, principally cherry, apricot, peach, almond, pear, apple, prune, orange, walnut, in about the order named. There are also a few trees of the following varieties,- lemon, filbert, fig, olive, and pecan, of the latter of which there is a very fine avenue of trees fifty to sev- enty-five feet high, though only fifteen years old. There are a few carob trees in bearing, which produce the "husks" that the "prodigal son" is said to have lived upon while feeding the swine. Then there are the pistachio nut trees, which bear the nuts from which the "green" ice cream is flavored. There are jujube shrubs, loquats, date palms, fan palms, shaddock, honey locust and many other kinds of fruit and shade trees and ornamental shrubs.
To Eastern people, and those who do not know any climate except that near the coast, one of the most in- teresting things of the region in and about Niles is its climate. While only thirty miles from San Francisco and the ocean coast, it is so mild and warm that citrus fruits, and, as a matter of fact, all fruits and plants that are not strictly tropical, can be grown to perfection. Indeed, some winters are so mild that there are hardly any nights cold enough for even white frosts, while the summers are seldom uncomfortably warm.
Plate No. 28 .- In the little village of Irvington there is one ideal residence and grounds, though small. It contains some very handsome ornaments. It is the home of H. Crowell. The trees here represent an
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ILLUSTRATED ALBUM OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
orange grove of good-sized bearing trees. It is not common to find in Alameda County many orange orchards so thrifty as this one is. In fact, they are not very plentiful in the county .. It shows what can be raised in this warm valley, with proper cultivation. The residence is a two-story frame building, modern in architecture, and a beautiful home.
Plate No. 28 .- Represents the residence of H. Curt- ner. This homestead is situated at Warm Springs. The ranch consists of three thousand acres, and pro-
duces a variety of crops, consisting of barley, hay, potatoes, fruit, etc. Barley yields forty bushels per acre, hay, two tons per acre. Thirty thousand sacks of potatoes were raised last year, 1892. From ten to fifteen thousand sacks of early peas are raised annually. Almonds and other nuts and peaches are the principal products of the farm aside from the home buildings, surrounded on all sides with fruit and ornamental trees. There are good and substantial· outbuildings necessary for farm purposes.
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