USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 46
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In August, 1906, all records were broken in Berkeley when 152 building permits were issued, the average cost of the buildings being $2.500. The highest previous record was in June, 1906, when 132 permits were issued. The north- ern and western sections were growing with great rapidity with modern resi- dences and substantial business blocks. The same year West Berkeley promised to soon become a great commercial center. From the date of the earthquake until August 12, 1906, a total of thirty-seven manufacturing establishments sprang into existence in that town. Realty men there were active and jubilant and prices soared. The new wharf project was one of the great inducements for capital to locate there. The trustees sitting as a board of equalization, fixed the rate of taxation for the fiscal year 1906-07 at 85 cents on a total assessed valuation of $23,800,000-an increase of $7,400,000 over the year before. This assessment gave a total working fund of $203,300. This great advance was due to the enormous growth of the city and to the imperative need for greater expenditures for improvements.
In the fall the committee of twenty-seven on the approaching election for the issuance of $287,000 bonds appointed by the Berkeley Chamber of Com- merce, conducted an active and determined campaign. The funds were divided as follows: New wharf in West Berkeley, $100,000; new fire equipment. $50,- 000; new town hall and site, $137,000; new fire alarm system, $10,000. It was concluded to postpone until next year the question of voting $348,000 bonds for a salt water pressure system.
A BERKELEY RESIDENCE
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In October the committee engaged in framing a revision for the Berkeley city charter recommended that women be allowed to vote on all school mat- ters and should be eligible to places on the board of education. This act met the approval of nearly every other town and city in the county. In January, 1907, the Realty Syndicate sold to the North Berkeley Development Company and the Berkeley Land Company 600 acres for $1,450,000; the land was located in North Berkeley at Spruce and Josephine streets.
In 1908 after the board of freeholders of Berkeley had labored a long time on its new charter it was learned that, owing to a misunderstanding of the law, all the ground would have to be gone over again. There was also a compara- tively small element that advocated the postponement of definite action on the charter and the consideration of a consolidated government embracing Oakland, Alameda, Berkeley, Piedmont, Fruitvale, Melrose and Elmhurst. A new board of freeholders with President Wheeler of the university at the head was pro- posed and supported by a strong contingent in East Berkeley. To this move- ment there was spirited opposition from the Citizens and Taxpayers League and the West End Protective Association, both of which fought the commission plan of government, which was the distinguishing feature of the rejected char- ter, and provided that a mayor and four commissioners should administer city affairs. It was at this time that a scheme to divide East and West Berkeley was hatched and given considerable support, and that numerous factions struggled for supremacy. Thus far the clan that favored an independent existence for Berkeley had dominated public affairs and with that object in view had bonded the city for $120,000 for a new city hall. The project to unite the east bay cities to form a Greater San Francisco had its advocates. The Citizens and Taxpayers League favored consolidation with Oakland under the new county project. The real estate men opposed this measure as damaging to property values.
On the proposition to issue in bonds the sum of $1,340,000 the voters of Berkeley defeated every measure-fire houses, police alarm, civic center park, central playgrounds, Acton Street park, school playgrounds, garbage incinerator. storm and sanitary sewers, lower schools, kindergartens and high school. The building permits of Berkeley in 1908 were 1,017 at an estimated value of $2,- 264,000. This did not include new schoolhouses, the town hall, nor the new Doe library building on the campus.
In 1910, with a population of 40,434, Berkeley was the scene of wonderful material growth, exceptional civic virtue, and gratifying intellectual and moral progress. There was an immense development of manufacturing enterprises in the western part. The new form of municipal government was successful and popular and was in a large degree adopted by Oakland. The distinctive feature of the charter was the one which originated the majority requirement for election of officers with the provision for possible choice at the first election. In the fall there was strong feeling in Berkeley both for and against the proposed annexa- tion to Oakland. Those who favored annexation were also the advocates of the consolidation of city and county governments. Professor Jones said : "It is absurd to call this annexation a step toward city and county government. It does not mean that. Instead it simply means the absorption of Berkeley by Oakland. If we wish to keep the schools of which we are so proud running under the same
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conditions as they are now and reflecting the same degree of credit on the city, we must not combine with the larger city." Mr. Robinson did not think the time ripe for consolidation and rather preferred the San Francisco consolidation plan. Mr. Barnett favored annexation for many reasons, one of which was to change unsatisfactory conditions in the courthouse and another to secure greater econ- omy in the administration of municipal affairs. The annexation question was determined by the following vote: Oakland-for, 2914, against, 333 ; Berkeley- for, 1,401, against, 4,010.
Theodore Roosevelt attended the charter day celebration at the Greek theater, in March, 1911. He made a strong speech in favor of higher education. " The scene at the theater was impressive in the extreme with the lofty inspiration of noble motives and with higher ideals and aspirations.
During the fiscal year 1912-13 the following municipal improvements were carried into execution : I, Municipal incinerator ; 2, municipal garage and ambu- lance; 3, municipal bacteriological and chemical laboratory ; 4, municipal employ- ment bureau; 5, perfection of the police telegraph and flashlight system ; 6, addi- tional fire apparatus ; 7, new heating apparatus ; 8, extensive street improvements ; 9, spotless town campaign ; 10, new corporation yards.
In 1913 the Roosevelt Hospital of Berkeley bought the equipment and business of the Abbott Hospital of Richmond. In December the West Berkeley Improve- ment Club passed resolutions asking the city council to call an election, not only to vote on the bond question for the public school, but also on the question of bond- ing the city for harbor improvement at the same time and on the same ballot. Late in 1913 Berkeley planned to bond the city for about one million dollars to promote the following improvements: (1) A ship channel for large vessels; (2) a harbor one mile wide; (3) a stone bulkhead with wharves along the pro- posed water front; (4) a municipal electric belt line railway; (5) a channel for the development of the inner harbor; (6) reclamation of 800 acres of state tide lands and over one thousand acres outside thereof for various uses.
For the year 1913-14 Mayor Wilson made the following recommendations : I, Taxation of land values ; 2, four-year terms for mayor and auditor ; 3, abolish the commissions and the board of health ; 4, increase the salaries of stenographers, secretaries, clerks, etc .; 5, extension of auditor's services ; 6, improvement of San Pablo park; 7, addition to public library ; 8, street improvement ; 9, public convenience stations; 10, new system of garbage collection; 11, abolish business license; 12, motor-cycles for policemen; 13, motor-trucks in street department ; 14, real estate purchase.
In January, 1914, the West Berkeley Improvement Club endorsed the pro- posed bonds for harbor improvement and for the local schools. Among the important recent movements in Berkeley are the following: Vast increases in population ; growth of business enterprises ; the commencement of a new sewer system to cost $475,000; improvement of the fire department to cost $95,000; plans to greatly increase the schoolroom capacity; plans to improve the water front ; extension of street pavements and cement work; electric lighting of the whole city ; municipal ownership of the street car service considered; the water problem considered ; a tremendous impulse in the direction of a city beautiful.
Berkeley's population in 1900 was 13,445, and in 1910 was 40,434.
CHAPTER XX
OAKLAND
Oakland was settled by the Americans under the assumption that it was Government land, the squatters refusing to accept the claims of the grantees under Spain or Mexico. They doubted the validity of these claims, but later when they reached the courts and when the claims were pronounced just and legal, they made the most of the situation and took as much as they could get.
Moses Chase is given the distinction of having been the first settler on the present site of Oakland. When the Pattens came over from San Francisco early in 1850 they found him encamped in a tent at Clinton or what soon became Clinton. He was ill and intended to leave, but was persuaded by them to remain and join them in the settlement at that place. Soon afterward, also early in 1850, H. W. Carpentier, Edson Adams and A. J. Moon arrived and squatted at the foot of what is now Broadway. When warned off by the Peraltas they affected, or at least expressed, great surprise and after negotiation finally secured the lease that gave them color of title and enabled them to remain and outpoint the many squatters who began to arrive immediately afterward.
H. W. Carpentier and his associates assumed that the Oakland site was United States Government land and hence refused to deal with the Peraltas. In his investigations Carpentier no doubt discovered that the claim of Luis Peralta had not yet been approved by the United States, possibly might never be, whereupon he and his associates took possession of the land and when opposed by the Peraltas secured a lease which gave them color of title and enabled them to retain possession in spite of the squatters who did not have as good a claim. Carpentier was a crafty and unscrupulous lawyer and at all times had a better legal standing than those who opposed him, because he was far-sighted and knew how to protect his interests when it came to the final tests in the courts. On the face of affairs his lease from the Peraltas was better than the squatter rights of his opponents, but, of course, his assumption that the claim of the Peraltas from the Mexican Government was not good under United States laws contradicted the validity and efficiency of his lease. But the major- ity of the squatters did not or could not see the matter in this light. However, there were several who apparently did. In March, 1852, John Clar, B. de la Barra, J. R. Irving, Col. John C. Hays, John Caperton and Jacob A. Cost, for the sum of $10,000, bought out the rights of the Peraltas in the Oakland site proper and thus as a matter of fact had a better title than the lease of Carpentier and associates. The sale contract was first made out in the name of John Clar, and the others later joined him, and on August 15, 1853, a deed of partition was executed for their several benefits.
Doctor Mabin came here in 1850 in an open boat on Sunday with a party of ladies and gentlemen with lunch baskets; they went to Lake Merritt, which
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was full of ducks. All there was of Oakland then were a few buildings near the foot of Broadway, where a small pier had been built. Four other young men came to Oakland early: George M. Blake, F. K. Shattuck, William Hillegass and James Leonard. They came over at first as a pastime, liked the surround- ings and prospects and concluded to remain. They selected a square mile of land above Vicente Peralta's residence. Levi R. Bixby arrived in 1852 when there were only from six to ten houses. A. Harper was already here when Bixby arrived. Thomas Gallagher's saloon on Broadway was established very early. Carpentier, Adams and Moon claimed their rights principally under a lease from the Peraltas. All the others who settled here and did not secure their rights from those three men, were squatters and their location here and improvements were opposed. All the squatters found it necessary to organize against those men to prevent their improvements from being destroyed. Numerous alterca- tions and several hand to hand contests occurred. The squatters went so far as to secure an old cannon, which was fired as a signal to assemble prepared to repulse attacks upon their improvements. Fences were torn down and the erection of buildings was forcibly opposed. The squatters were armed with six-shooters and made a formidable appearance when engaged in repelling an attack on their property, but the others owned the lease and possessed the legal right to control the settlement.
In 1851 the Pattens and Chase were in Clinton, James B. Larue at San Anto- nio, Henry C. Smith at the mission, John M. Horner near Irving, S. Castro at Haywards, Estudillo at San Leandro. Augustine Bernal and the families of Amador, Alviso, Noriego and Livermore owned much of the county. The Yan- kees were already whipsawing the redwoods of San Antonio. Indians were sleeping in the San Lorenzo ranchino and priests were shipping produce from the embarcadero at the mouth of Alameda creek.
In 1852, the Americans of Oakland joined in giving a grand Christmas din- ner, on which occasion there were present Rev. and Mrs. Samuel B. Bell, Horace W. and Edward Carpentier, Frank K. Shattuck, John Hays, John Potter, Judge S. B. McKee, Sabin Harris, Colonel Coffey, John Watson, Harper Glascock, Judge Black, General Howard, Captain Daily, Major Kirkham and Doctor Davis. They clubbed together and provided the feast. Preceding the dinner- really a supper about 8:30 P. M., the night before Christmas-the children's presents were marked, placed on a table and left for them to take at their pleas- ure. There were served wild duck, wild goose and venison in any quantities desired. Wine and brandy flowed like water and big bowls of egg-nog made from wild duck eggs graced the center of the table. The majority of the diners were Southerners, though several Spaniards were present-notably young Mr. Castro and his sister. The feast was held in an abandoned Spanish dance hall at Fourth and Broadway. After the feast all who cared to do so joined in the dance.
In February, 1852, Oakland was a beautiful plain about four miles wide from the bay to the base of the hills and about ten leagues long from north to south. The trees were in clusters and in full foilage and clover covered the ground. The trees were the resort of countless birds throughout the year. The hills and plains were covered with numerous herds of wild cattle. All this was called Contra Costa at that time-opposite shore. William Watts ran a small
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schooner to the landing at Watts' creek, near Temescal, where he had built a small shanty and lived, though his wife kept a boarding house on Mission street in San Francisco. Along San Antonio creek was a substantial grove of evergreen oaks. At Broadway and First streets was the shanty occupied by Horace W. Carpentier, Edson Adams and Andrew Moon, who had staked off streets and laid out lots for a town. Near them toward the Point was another shanty occu- pied by Lowell J. Hardy. The first hotel was erected in 1851, after the last heavy fire in San Francisco, by Albert W. Burrell. At that time grants were made in this portion of the state by the Mexican Government. Castro's grant was in Contra Costa county, but he later claimed, though unjustly, that his grant extended over the present site of Oakland and it was partly upon this claim that Car- pentier and his associates took possession and set Peralta at defiance.
In 1852 there were here about fifty squatters in tents and shanties each hold- ing 160 acres as homesharers. There was no regular ferry. Sloops and skiffs were used to cross the bay. There was a variable population-here today and gone tomorrow. Malachi Fallon came here in 1852 and bought of Harper a contract for a tract of land from the Peraltas, but Carpentier and his associates burned the Harper tent in his absence and squatted on the tract. Fallon bought ten acres at Oak and Seventh streets on which he built a house and remained though the land was claimed by the others. Harper's land was subsequently held by Colonel Heath and Ned Cohee. Fallon built in the style of a Long Island farm house and when the floor was laid went for his family, but during his absence the belligerent squatters jumped his property and compelled him in the end to pay $1,000 for a release; one piece of native woods here was called Hardy's Woods. Malachi Fallon had the first lath and plaster house in Oakland.
Mr. Burrell came over here on a hunting excursion in 1852 and found Car- pentier, Adams and Moon engaged in laying out the town. They offered him two lots if he would erect a hotel. Mr. Burrell considered the matter for a while and at last accepted their proposition. It was made, he thought, because he was a builder by occupation. He was told that such a house was needed here to accommodate travelers, hunting parties, picnics and others who came over from San Francisco in small boats. The hotel was the first built in the town and was leased to Ames and Kelly, who conducted it for a while, but finally sold their lease. This hotel stood at the northwest corner of First and Broadway. Before the house was fully completed a large party of young men came over from San Francisco on the small steamboat Hector-about one hundred and fifty of them- as many as could be crowded into the little craft, and held a "house warming" in the unfurnished building. The young men had plenty of money and enjoyed themselves in sports of various kinds, one of which was kicking ten-dollar silk hats about the grounds. Native oysters and edible birds formed the basis of their Sunday dinner at the hotel, which received about $500 from its guests on that occasion. The weather was fine and the surroundings beautiful. At that time Carpentier and associates were laying off streets parallel to Broadway, which had previously been located, and laterally from east to west. At Mr. Burrell's insistence they increased the width of the streets, though objecting that it was giving too much land to the public that was needed for stores and increased the cost of street improvement. Samuel Robinson opened the first store at Second and Broadway. Doctor Yard was the first postmaster and held the office about
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twenty years more or less continuously. He was succeeded by Mr. Benton and he by Mr. Marcellus and he by W. S. Dargie.
In accordance with the provisions of the act entitled "An Act to Provide for the Incorporation of Towns," Horace W. Carpentier, a lawyer by profession, had passed, on May 4, 1852, an act incorporating the town of Oakland, the boundaries of which were declared to be as follows: "On the northeast by a straight line at right angles with Main Street, running from the Bay of San Francisco on the north to the south line of the San Antonio Creek or estuary, crossing Main Street (Broadway) at a point 360 rods northeast from Oakland Honse, on the corner of Main and First Streets, as represented on Porter's Map of Contra Costa (the original name of Oakland) on file in the office of the Secre- tary of State; thence down the south line of said creek or slough to its mouth in the Bay ; thence to ship's channel; thence north and east by the line of ship's channel to a point where the same bisects the said northeast boundary-line." Section 2 of the act declared the corporate powers and duties of the town to be vested in a board of trustees to consist of five members, to be elected on the second Monday of May in each year, and to hold office for the term of one year, provided they should receive no compensation for their services; and Section 3 stated what should be their official duties. On May 1, 1852, the town charter was signed at Benicia, where the Legislature was in session.
The election was duly held, and A. W. Burrell, A. J. Moon, Edson Adams, Amedee Marier and H. W. Carpentier were chosen, the latter of whom, however, did not qualify. On the 12th of May they held their first meeting in the office of Mr. Adams. At this time only Messrs. Marier, Burrell and Adams presented their certificates of election. On having the constitutional oath administered to them they took their seats under the temporary presidency of Mr. Marier, with Mr. Burrell acting as secretary. The charter having been ordered transcribed on the record, the board passed Ordinance Number I, entitled "An Ordinance to fix the time and place of holding stated meetings of the Board of Trustees," and thus was the official machinery of Oakland set in motion. On the 17th A. J. Moon took his seat with the board. Mr. Marier was elected permanently to fill the presidential chair, and F. K. Shattuck, to perform the duties of town clerk. Besides these transactions, ordinances were passed declaring certain streets public highways, concerning bonds of officers, disposing of the water front belonging to the Town of Oakland, and providing for the construction of wharves.
John Cotter, a member of the San Francisco board of aldermen, and John Nugent, editor of the San Francisco Herald, came to Oakland to fight a duel in May, 1852. On board the steamer which brought them was a Sunday school picnic. The duelists went back to what became the site of Brooklyn, where it was believed they would not be molested. They were placed in position, armed with navy revolvers. At this juncture the sheriff of Contra Costa county appeared "on the upper surface of a large-sized mule" and demanded an immediate cessa- tion of hostilities. David C. Broderick was one of the Cotter seconds, and Hamilton Bowie, one for Nugent. The sheriff was prevented from interfering by William Mulligan, James Hughes and a crowd of "muscle-men" who had come over to see the fight and fair play. Mr. Nugent was wounded at the second round, which put a stop to further hostilities. Edward McGowan was one of the party.
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Oakland Brewery was started by a Mr. Wilmer in 1853, at the corner of Ninth street and Broadway, but it was a miniature concern, capable of turning out only from ten to fifteen barrels of beer per month. It afterwards passed into the hands of Joseph Becht, and during the year 1863 was entirely consumed by fire, being however, rebuilt.
The first attempt to establish a fire department in the city of Oakland was made in the early part of 1853. The result was the organization of two engine companies, the Empire and Washington and the Oakland hook and ladder com- pany, and the election of John Scott as chief engineer. Three large cisterns were soon after constructed on Broadway between First and Fourth streets. This organization was within a year disbanded, the property delivered over to the council, and, up to 1869, Oakland had little or no means of controlling fires. Another department was organized March 13, 1869, under an ordinance approved February 4, 1869, by the election of John C. Halley as chief engineer and Thomas McGuire and George Taylor, assistants, who succeeded John Scott, chief, and John C. Halley and W. W. Moore, assistants, acting under authority of the previous organization. The apparatus of the department comprised a third- class Amoskeag fire engine, purchased by the city, and a hose carriage procured by funds temporarily advanced by Col. John Scott. The companies were: Steam fire engine company No. I, steam fire engine company No. 2, steam fire engine company No. 3, steam fire engine company No. 4, hook and ladder company No. I, hook and ladder company No. 2, hose company No. I.
On August 27, 1853, an ordinance was passed relative to the purchase of a fire engine. Mr. Staples and the clerk of the board of trustees were appointed a committee, and authorized to pay $2,000 therefor. On the 8th of October, John Scott and others petitioned for the organization of a regular fire department to comprise the Empire and Washington engine companies and the Oakland hook and ladder company. This organization was effected in 1854, $800 was allowed for the purchase of hose, necessary fixtures, and painting the engine-house. In his first message, Mayor Carpentier recommended the organization of a more efficient fire department. On June 24, 1854, Empire engine company and Oakland hook and ladder company were admitted into the department; and two cisterns were built at the corners of Broadway and Second and Fourth streets. On August 5, 1854, Washington fire company No. 2 was admitted into the depart- ment.
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