USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 43
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Never before was there such a strong demand for real estate in Alameda, Oakland and Berkeley as in 1874-75, and never before were so many individual sales recorded. The cutting up of the large Minturn property opened a new era for Alameda-better than any since the palmy days of Chipman & Anghin- baugh. The Alameda Real Estate Association was doing a very large business, Many houses were going up, sidewalks being built and streets graded. That company began by buying all the Edward Minturn property and placing it on the market. In two months in the fall of 1874 they sold over fifty lots. Bert- lett and Randolph owned a large portion of the Charles Minturn property and were selling many lots in the vicinity of the Encinal Station. Hays and Caperton were selling many tracts, lots, blocks, etc. It was advertised that soon the Alameda land would all be taken up, as the island was limited.
It may be mentioned that up to the year 1871 the only wagon outlet from Alameda was by way of Park street to Brooklyn (East Oakland), or by High street to the county road. During that year an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the issuance of bonds to obtain money to construct a bridge over San Antonio creek, and a roadway across the marsh to connect with Webster street. This road opened up a route that did much for the town. There was soon an enormous travel over it, as it was the shortest and most direct thorough- fare from Alameda to Oakland.
At the election of May 5, 1874, the following officers were chosen: Henry Robinson, E. B. Mastick, Alonzo Green, Eppes Ellery, William H. Wenck, trus- tees ; H. H. Haight, Cyrus Wilson, school directors ; Thomas A. Smith, treasurer ; E. Minor Smith, assessor and superintendent of streets. The board of trustees built a great many sidewalks in the town. To many it appeared to be an unnec- essary outlay, but the wisdom of the act became apparent, as the town settled up rapidly. Of the streets, Central and Pacific avenues were the only thoroughfares for many years that were improved.
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It was resolved on March 9, 1875, by the town trustees, that habitual intem- perance on the part of any employee of this board shall be deemed sufficient cause for dismissal. Drinking of intoxicating liquors, "treating" or being "treated" at any bar or saloon by any policeman, regular or special, while on duty, shall be deemed sufficient cause for removal from office. On April 6th, an ordi- nance ordering all public houses closed between midnight and 5 A. M. was passed.
In 1874-75 the city of Alameda, with a tax of only 60 cents on the $100, built twenty miles of sidewalk, carried on the usual town government and had a surplus of $10,000 in the treasury, besides as much more of school money. There were two municipal tickets in the field in the spring of 1875: the people's and the people's independent. In 1874 Alameda boasted of ten miles of sidewalks and a rapid growth. Fassking's big pavilion was constructed in Alameda, Encinal Station. Real estate sales were active; many new buildings were erected. It was at this time that the directors of the Alameda, Oakland & Piedmont rail- road called for the last instalment on this stock. Soon afterward the rails were laid on the extension of Fassking's garden. Rolling stock was added about this time. The Alameda brewery did a large business. In Alameda in 1875 the Newark Land Company built a wharf 25x150 feet; the Alviso boat touched there daily. Large quantities of grain were received at Edmondson's warehouse and large quantities of fruit were shipped at this date. The citizens of Niles and vicinity gave a grand ball in Alameda Mills warehouse in 1875 to raise means with which to build a schoolhouse. Artesian wells were in great favor at Alameda at this date. There was one at the Yosemite Hotel and one on the premises of Conrad Leise. The latter was 218 feet deep, the water rising to within twelve feet of the top.
The officers elected for the year 1875-76 were: Henry Robinson, E. B. Mas- tick, William H. Wenck, Eppes Ellery, Alonzo Green, trustees; J. W. Clark, C. G. Mead, school directors; Thomas A. Smith, treasurer; E. Minor Smith, assessor and superintendent of streets; Lyttleton Price, clerk. On September 7, 1875, a franchise was granted to Littledale and Goldthwaite to erect a wharf at the foot of Peach street, for a term of fifteen years, the board of trustees reserv- ing the right to regulate tolls and charges. The taxes fixed to be levied for the year 1875-76 were 55 cents on the $100. On the 20th of March of this year the first car of the Alameda, Oakland and Piedmont Railroad was received in the town and placed on the track.
On May 22, 1876, James L. Bissell and his associates received the authoriza- tion of the board of trustees to lay gaspipes throughout the town. An ordinance regulating the manner of laying sidewalks and of what they should be composed was passed. On August Ist, it was unanimously resolved that all streets in Alameda running easterly and westerly should be a uniform width of not less than seventy-five feet, and those streets intersecting should be a uniform width of not less than sixty feet ; that every street opened hereafter should be made to accord with the above-mentioned proportions, and that the streets already opened be altered, where necessary, to suit such measurements as rapidly as considerations of equity and justice will allow. On December 26th, E. H. Miller presented to the board a deed dedicating to the town of Alameda, for public use as streets, high- ways and avenues, all those parcels of land in said town designated as thorough- fares on a map of Oak Park, Encinal of Alameda. The Alameda Loan & Build-
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ing Association was in active operation early this year. Clark's hall and store was built in Alameda at this date. At this time a dramatic club was organized there with a membership of ten gentlemen and six ladies ; Charles Freer was gen- eral manager; Oscar Lynch, secretary ; Charles Blascow, Charles Freer and W. Y. Horner, Jr., business managers.
From 1876 to 1877 the population of Alameda greatly increased-almost dou- bled-and in June of the latter year was estimated at from 5,000 to 6,000. The growth of Alameda was held back for many years by the inactivity of the resi- dents and their opposition to the expense of public improvement. People refused to have streets opened, and when opened refused to have them macadamized. But about 1876 a change appeared as if by magic. New streets and sidewalks were seen, a large sewer was constructed, the schools were vastly improved, and a combined engine house and city hall was built. Street lighting, the narrow- guage railroad, improved ferry facilities and palatial residences were the talk of everybody. The Antedeluvians had suddenly and permanently disappeared.
On September 26, 1876, the enrollment of a fire company was reported to the board of trustees, and its willingness to take charge of any apparatus which the town might intrust to it. The tender was duly accepted, and on January 6, 1877, the purchase of a lot on Webster street whereon to build an engine house was authorized. On April 11th, hydrants were reported ready for use (the first in the town) at the corners of Bay street and Central avenue, Bay street and Pacific avenue, Grand street and Central avenue, and Grand street and Pacific avenue. On December 9, 1879, the purchase of a bell of one thousand pounds weight was ordered, but it was not until October 19, 1880, that the fire department of Alameda was created. On November 16th, Citizen Hook and Ladder Company, No. 1 ; Thompson Hose Company, No. 1; and West End Engine Company, No. 2 were admitted into the department ; and, on December 7th, arrangements were entered into with Capt. R. R. Thompson to furnish all the water for fire purposes and for flushing sewers, and to give the use of his pressure engine for all fire purposes for $2.50 per month for each fire hydrant, commencing from December 1, 1880. He was required in addition to establish a telephone line from Encinal Station to Webster street. June 21, 1881, Whidden Hose Company, No. 2 (late West End Engine Company, No. I) ; Central Hose Company, No. 3, and Pacific Hose Com- pany, No. 4, were admitted into the department.
The postoffice at West End was established under the management of J. W. Clark, the official name being Encinal. The Alameda Loan and Building Associa- tion with a capital stock of $1,000,000 was established in April; the directors being, F. Boehmer, P. W. Barton, J. H. Hardman, D. L. Munson, H. A. W. Nahl, A. Newberg, Denis Straub, A. Schroeder and A. Volberg. The Alameda Water Company was incorporated in December for a term of fifty years, capital stock $100,000 ; the directors being B. R. Norton, O. J. Preston, C. D. Wheat, F. Boeh- mer and Theodore Bradley.
In 1877 the sewering of the town was commenced, the first mention of such in the records being on February 6th, when certain property-owners petitioned for a vitrified iron-stone pipe-sewer in Park street, on which, March 6th, a general sewer ordinance was passed. On February 20th a franchise was granted to Theodore Meetz, Louis Fassking, Thad. S. Fitch and their associates to lay and maintain an iron railroad, the line to commence on Park street, at the southerly
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line of Railroad avenue; running thence southwesterly along Park street to Cen- tral avenue; thence running into and along Central avenue and Harrison street southeasterly to High street ; thence running into and along High street, south- easterly to the town line. In the year 1877 a town hall was built at a cost of $2,800. June 12th Mr. Foster entered into a contract to complete the erection at the price of $2,649, after which the construction was proceeded with and the building eventually occupied.
The Alameda Water Company, in the spring of 1877, completed laying mains from their artesian well on Grand street to Park street on the east and to Bay street on the west. The well was yielding 200,000 gallons daily at this time. Already another well was contemplated, as was also a much larger pump. The water was soft and pure. Alameda was regarded as a most desirable place of residence in the seventies. The whole surface of the Encinal was dotted with live oak trees. There was but one-half a street in the town that was properly macadamized, and sidewalks were rare until about 1875. Many of the streets were only forty feet wide though 900 feet apart. At first there was much oppo- sition to needed public improvements, but about 1874 more spirit was shown and more pride displayed in the general appearance of the streets, buildings and vacant spaces. This spirit led to a great increase in the population in a few years. There were many beautiful houses there by 1877. There was a general call for the improvement of the streets, sewers, water system and sidewalks. It was about this time that the name of Encinal postoffice was changed to West End, the latter being about two blocks from Mastick station. In June the council decided to build a combined town hall and engine house.
Alameda in 1877 had two fire companies-the Citizen and West End and a hook and ladder company. The latter adopted a uniform of red shirt, black pants and black glazed caps. Mastick station was growing rapidly at this date. W. M. Dye at the depth of eighty-two feet on his premises, when boring for artesian water, struck a plentiful supply, though the water did not rise high in the well. The contract for the combined hall and engine house of Alameda was awarded to C. H. Foster in July, 1877, his bid of $2,649 being the lowest and only one.
The Alameda Free Reading Room and Library Association held a meeting in the hall over Mr. Barber's store, on August 2, 1877, and elected the following first officers: T. A. Smith, president ; H. M. Clinton, Mrs. J. K. Brown, vice presidents; C. W. Woodrow, secretary; Mrs. A. C. Gilbert, treasurer; and Gib- bons, Boehmer, Ellsworth, Byron, Porter and Mrs. A. B. Andrews, directors and managers. At this time the association was active, ambitious and promising. A permanent combined hall and reading room was planned.
During the month of September, the American District Telegraph Company of Alameda filed articles of incorporation and stated their place of business to be the town of Alameda. The following changes in the names of streets was ordered by ordinance, November 27, 1877: Webster street in Old Alameda to Fillmore street; Park street in Old Alameda to Post street; Washington avenue to Harrison avenue; Central street to Austin street ; Eagle street to Eagle ave- nue ; Oak street at the west end of town to Hazel street; Pine street at Wood- stock to Cypress street ; Willow street at Woodstock to Maple street ; Bay street at Woodstock to Bryant street; Lincoln avenue in the Fitch tract to Clinton avenue; Bay avenue to Dayton avenue; St. Mary's street to Stanton street ; St.
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Paul street to Morton street ; St. John street to Benton street; St. George street to Sherman street; Manzanita street to Bush street. On October Ist the rate of taxation for the year was 60 cents on the $100.
The officers elected to serve for the year 1878-79, were: B. F. Baker, Henry Bohns, W. B. Clement, J. B. Vosburg, G. N. Williams, trustees ; A. B. Anderson, Edward Parrish, G. C. Hall, A. Mayrisch, C. H. Ham, John Barton, school directors; E. Minor Smith, assessor; I. N. Chapman, surveyor and civil engi- neer; John Ellsworth, attorney; James Cook, chief of police; G. R. Bissell, superintendent of schools; John Ellsworth, clerk. From the report of the treasurer, made May 14th, the state of the town finances was as follows: school fund, $8,686.00 ; general fund, $8,423.56; certificates of gold deposit in bank, $12,180.00; certificates of silver deposit in bank, $3,522.33; silver coin in safe, $1,407.23.
On June 25th portions of Park street, Pacific avenue, Central avenue and Santa Clara avenue were ordered to be lighted with gas for one year. The fol- lowing resolution was passed on the 17th of September: Resolved, That the proposal of A. Borel, made through Messrs. Gilbert & Hunter, to sell to the town of Alameda, for the sum of $5,250 cash, lots 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, in the west half of block D, in the town of Alameda, county of Alameda, be and the same is hereby accepted, and that said lots be purchased for said sum.
On the 28th of February, 1878, a free reading room and library was opened, with G. H. Stipp as librarian, in the Park Opera House, where it continued until handed over to the town authorities. In August, Doctors Gibbons and McLean addressed the board of trustees, stating that they, together with Mrs. A. P. Andrews, had been appointed by the directors of the Alameda Free Reading Room and Library Association a committee to wait upon the board and inform it that the association desired to turn over its property to the town for the pur- pose of founding a free public reading room and library, and requested the co-operation of the board to that end. The board elected to take possession on, or about January 1, 1879, and voted that the institution should be maintained by a tax of one mill on the dollar upon the assessed value of taxable property in the town. On January 7th W. P. Gibbons, Mrs. Elizabeth Green, Thomas A. Smith, J. C. Tucker and George Mastick were appointed trustees and on February 28th the Alameda free library was opened for the circulation of books. The taxes determined to be levied for the year 1878-79 were 90 cents on the $100.
In the month of February, 1878, the Park Opera House was opened. On the 7th of September the Bank of Alameda opened its doors for business, with Levi Jenks as president, and J. E. Baker, cashier. This institution changed its name to the First National Bank of Alameda in October, 1879. On September 14th the new hall of Encinal Lodge, No. 164, I. O. O. F., was formally dedicated. The following town officers were elected to serve for the year 1879-80: D. T. Sullivan, J. M. Gray, William Whidden, W. B. Clement, Joseph Lancaster, trustees ; G. C. Hall, Adolph Mayrisch, school directors; E. Minor Smith, asses- sor ; N. W. Palmer, treasurer ; I. N. Chapman, surveyor and civil engineer ; John Ellsworth, attorney; James Cook, chief of police; O. S. Ingham, superintendent of schools : John Ellsworth, clerk. The taxes fixed for the year 1870-80 were 791/4 cents on the $100. On March 30, 1879, the Kohlmoos Hotel was opened. On the 5th of December the Royal soap factory, located near the shore line,
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between the narrow-gauge landing and Alameda wharf, commenced active opera- tions. The company was incorporated in May, 1878, with a capital stock of $2,000,000, much of it being held by prominent capitalists of San Francisco, and a considerable amount by residents of Alameda.
In May, 1880, the following town officers were elected: H. B. Herbert, Joseph Lancaster, William Whidden, J. M. Gray, C. A. Edson, trustees; Henry Michaels, John Barton, J. W. Mastick, Isaac Ayer, school directors; E. Minor Smith, assessor; N. W. Palmer, treasurer; I. N. Chapman, surveyor and civil engineer ; John Ellsworth, attorney; James Cook, chief of police; O. S. Ingham, superintendent of schools. In May, 1881, the following corporate officers were elected: W. G. Marcy, Joseph Lancaster, J. M. Gray, William Whidden, C. A. Edson, trustees; Henry Michaels, J. E. Baker, James Hunter, school directors ; E. Minor Smith, assessor; N. W. Palmer, treasurer; I. N. Chapman, surveyor and civil engineer; John Ellsworth, attorney and clerk; James Cook, chief of police; O. S. Ingham, superintendent of schools; Mrs. A. B. Andrews, George H. Mastick, W. P. Gibbons, T. A. Smith, D. T. Sullivan, trustees free library. The regular corporation officers for the year 1882-83 were: William Simpson, J. M. Gray, C. A. Edson, William Whidden, Louis Meyer, trustees ; H. V. Her- bert, Adolph Mayrisch, school directors; E. Minor Smith, assessor; N. W. Pal- mer, treasurer; I. N. Chapman, surveyor and civil engineer; John Ellsworth, attorney and clerk ; James Cook, chief of police; O. S. Ingham, superintendent of schools; Mrs. A. B. Andrews, W. P. Gibbons, George H. Mastick, D. T. Sul- livan, T. A. Smith, trustees free library.
The Alameda Oil Works was established in 1868, by Samuel Orr. He at first started in the manufacture of castor, cocoanut and linseed oil, but later confined himself to the production of cocoanut oil. The Pacific Coast Oil Com- pany was established in 1880, and erected their large refinery at Woodstock, near Alameda Point, where petroleum oils were refined, the crude oil being imported from other counties of the state. The Alameda Planing Mill situated on Encinal avenue, between Oak and Walnut streets, was started April 1, 1882, and occupied 100 x 140 feet of ground. It was provided with molding-rack, engine and boiler house, a fifty horse-power engine, steam pump, etc., and gave employment to fifteen workmen. The Encinal Lumber Yard, Renton, Holmes & Co., proprietors, N. B. Renshaw, manager, was situated at the corner of Oak street and Encinal avenue.
Schutzen park was opened to the public early in the year 1868, and com- prised between seven and eight acres of land, and contained all the necessary appa- ratus to make it a place of resort and picnic grounds. There were a dancing pavilion, swings, shooting ranges, etc., all being leased by Capt. George Cantus. The Newport Swimming Baths, the pioneer baths of Alameda, were started in the year 1877, by Mr. Salara, but in February, 1878, he sold out to J. P. Won- derlich, who at once commenced elaborate improvements, no less than $28,000 being spent upon them. There were 200 dressing rooms, 1,200 bathing suits, a conservatory with glass sides, with a seating capacity for 300 persons, and other and many luxuries for this health-giving exercise. Terrace Baths were owned by R. Haley and C. A. Edson, and were commenced in 1878. The dam or tank was 300 by 350 feet in dimensions. There were 240 dressing rooms, and sev- eral rooms for hot salt-water baths; on hand were no fewer than 4,000 bathing
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suits. No less than 1,200 private suits were kept here for the accommodation of regular customers. The entire premises were lighted by twenty-two gas-lamps, each being an eighty-candle power. R. Haley was manager. The Long Branch Swimming Baths were the largest of the famous Alameda swimming baths, with comfortable rooms and elegantly appointed grounds.
The town of Alameda expended $357,650 from March 4, 1876, to August 31, 1883. Of this sum $197,251 was spent on public schools ; $142,007 on general expenses of the town; $21,713 was in the treasury; $40,000 had been issued in school bonds.
Doctor Hess raised silk worms for sale in Alameda in 1883. A. C. Tichenor of Alameda invented a process of mellowing wines and liquors in 1882-83; elec- tricity was the agent.
The northern portion of Alameda did not develop rapidly after the advent of the narrow gauge railroad which gave an impulse to building in the southern portion ; but in 1884 buildings began to go up in the northern section. In Novem- ber, 1884, Alameda voted in favor of a city charter and five weeks later another election was held for officers of the new city government. The government was to be vested in a board of five trustees, a board of education of five members; five free library trustees, a recorder, treasurer, attorney, marshal and assessor. It was decided by the town trustees of Alameda to include a clerk in the list of the elective officers. An election was ordered for city officers on December 20th, the polling places were at the town hall, Holtz building, Wigwam. The five trustees of the library were to be appointed by the board of trustees. Primaries were held in three election precincts of Alameda late in November to choose non- partisan delegates to a nominating convention to be held December 4th in the town hall.
The Alameda Mercantile Protective Union was organized in 1884 and ranked among its members nearly all of the substantial business men of Alameda. In fact the membership became so large that the initiation fee, though small, made the union practically self-sustaining. It was apparent that the large number of real estate transfers, the rapid growth in population and the splendid artesian water of Alameda were the principal causes of its prosperity. To R. R. Thomp- son much credit was given for the fine water supply. From January 1, 1883, to January 1, 1884, the real estate transfers there amounted to over $223,500. A. C. Gilbert & Co. thus spent $103,500; A. Denke expended $22,000; Wasson & Pat- tiani spent $48,000. It was a beautiful young city. In February the almond trees were in bloom; then came the cherry, plum, pear, peach, apple and quince blos- soms. There the fig, the lemon and the orange grew and thrived. The schools and churches were all that could be desired. Social functions were at all times well attended and prominent.
In August, the R. R. Thompson mansion in Alameda was burned to the ground. The total loss was about $160,000, there being no insurance. The owner had opposed the tax levy for fire purposes and claimed to have his help so drilled that they would put out any fire that might start on his premises. In practice his theory did not work. He was at that time owner of the city water company. The building alone cost $125,000, had onyx mantels, stained glass from Munich, European carpets, marble statuary, oil paintings and a large and
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rare collection of books. The firemen did all they could, but the water pressure was too low for quick and effective work.
In August, the Alameda Electric Light Company applied to the trustees of Alameda for a franchise to light the streets of Alameda. The company had a capital of 1,500 shares at $10 a share, a portion of which was offered for sale to the public.
In 1885 the supreme court affirmed the judgment of the superior court of Alameda county in favor of the defendant in the case of Dent vs. Bird, which involved the title to a large part of the land included within the corporate limits of Alameda city. Both parties claimed title through Antonio Maria Peralta, the defendants through a deed executed by Peralta on October 23, 1851, and the plaintiff through a deed executed by him on April 8, 1868. At the time of the execution of the first deed, Peralta's title rested on an unconfirmed Mexican grant. The supreme court held that the subsequent confirmation of the grant, and the patent issued to Peralta by the Government inured to the benefit of the defendants as Peralta's grantees. The deed conveyed the tract in the township of San Antonio "known as the Bolsa or Peninsula del Encinal." The plaintiff contended that it included only that portion of the peninsula which was covered with oak timber amounting to about two thousand two hundred acres, and not the salt marsh and tide land amounting to an additional 1,100 acres and upwards. The court held that the language of the deed must prevail and that the defendants were entitled to the whole peninsula "from the sea to a line about 300 yards from the old brickyard house and extending from the point or end of the San Leandro slough to the point or end of the San Leandro slough."
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