USA > California > Alameda County > Past and present of Alameda County, California, Volume I > Part 57
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By a unanimous vote in August, the council decided to take preliminary steps to establish a salt water street sprinkling and fire extinguishing system; the estimated cost was $70,000. In October, the council appropriated $27,000 for a salt water pumping plant; $10,000 for West Oakland park; $15,000 for a new fire engine house, and fixed the tax levy at $1.28.
For the first time in the history of Oakland a bond issue for another pur- pose than the public schools was passed September 4th. About two thousand five hundred votes were polled of which about three hundred were against the proposition, which was to issue $586,000 sewer bonds.
Oakland was made a full sub-port of entry, a concession due to the increased commercial importance of this city. Early in October, the joint committee on city and county consolidation for Oakland presented to the council a petition signed by about three thousand voters who favored the annexation to Oakland of a large section to the eastward and northeastward. The board of police and
omitting cents $14,552,984
omitting cents
434
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
fire commissioners, in order to check the wave of crime sweeping over this com- munity ordered the arrest of all suspicious characters, the supply of scanty fare only for persons confined in the city prison, and the formation of a chain gang . of prisoners for work on the streets. Early in November, the council passed to print an ordinance calling for an election on January 15, 1907, to determine whether Fitchburg, Fruitvale and Elmhurst should be annexed to Oakland. Melrose and Allendale were included in Fruitvale. While in a general way the citizens of Oakland knew that the city was improving rapidly, it was not until 1906 after the earthquake that the full magnitude of the growth was realized, largely from the lips of outsiders. In other words, rank outsiders assisted in calling attention to the vast strides being made in all the industries and all the departments of ethics, morals and education-the thousands of beautiful homes built in this community within a few years, the vast increase in manufacturing enterprises, the expansion of educational methods and programs, the wonderful amplification of religious agencies, the splendid street car and ferry service, the blessings and possibilities of modern sanitation, the astonishing activities and suc- cesses of child care, the persistent philanthropy broad enough to grasp all phases of misery and misfortune, the transformation of libraries into dispensatories of practical knowledge for expanding youth, the multiplication of commercial totals and results, the transformation of streets into beautiful pleasure promenades, the combination for betterments, the popularity of civic virtue and honesty, the dawn of invariable political purity and official integrity, better wages and pros- pects for working people.
The wonderful growth of Oakland from April, 1905, to November, 1906, is shown by the summary of building permits, as follows:
1905
Amounts
1906
Amounts
April
$112,440
January
$197,161
May
279,765
February
197,487
June
264,526
March
321,000
July
277,457
April 271,28I
August
270,793
May
447,425
September
228,247
June
495.625
October
235,785
July
535,883
November
262,205
August
558,244
December
184,618
September
791,386
October
939,086
For the third time the voters of Fruitvale, in February, 1907. declared against a separate municipality by the vote of 591 to 383. At this time it was proposed to annex Fruitvale to Elmhurst. At the election of March 14th, on the question of annexing Fruitvale, Melrose, Elmhurst and Fitchburg to Oakland the vote in those districts was-for annexation 653, against it 823. Oakland cast 1,660 for the annexation and 107 against it. At the charter election on April 1, 1907, four amendments were voted on: (1) for a garbage plant; (2 and 3) to facilitate street openings; (4) to provide for separate assessments for municipal revenue. All of the amendments were carried by substantial majorities.
11 11
First Trust and Savings Bank
First National Bank
Security Bank
Oakland Bank of Savings
A GROUP OF OAKLAND BANKS
435
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
The voting of the $992,000 in park bonds in 1907 was sufficient authority for the city administration to extend the city parking system to any reasonable bounds. It put stimulus into the project of beautifying the city. By the close of the year there were about twenty parks, large and small, being improved and ornamented. The largest was the water park-Lake Merritt. It comprised about eighty acres of salt water. Adams Point park was fast coming into form and loveliness. Around Lake Merritt the boulevard and the promenade had been materially advanced. The old oaks were preserved. The West Oakland park, the Willows, the DeFremery tract, the Mosswood tract, City Hall park and many others were fast assuming definite outlines of color and beauty. Late in 1907 the city secured an option on the ethnological collection of Dr. John Rabe with the object of forming therewith the nucleus of a public museum. There were shells, coins, minerals, corals and fossils.
Early in 1909 the council appropriated $50,000 to cover the cost of dredging Lake Merritt and raising the Peralta park marsh with the spoils thereof. The plan of the administration to annex six square miles of territory on the western water front of the city was approved by the voters by the emphatic vote of 4,852 for annexation to 545 against annexation. Early in March Oakland voted on eight amendments to its charter. They related (1) to the appointment of park commissioners; (2) to the appointment of library trustees; (3) to the salaries of certain officials; (4) to the initiative, referendum and recall; (5) to wharves, docks, slips and warehouses, etc., on the water front; (6) to the con- trol of such by the board of public works; (7) to privileges to all railroads with- out discrimination; (8) to extra privileges on the water front. Numbers (3) and (4) and (5) were defeated.
The city of Oakland in the fall of 1909 covered 24.09 square miles. It was then proposed to annex 30.33 square miles of Brooklyn township and 6.35 square miles of Oakland township, which would then give the city 60.77 square miles, of which 48.68 were upland and 12.09 tide and submerged lands. At this time three important projects were before the people of Oakland: (1) water front improve- ment ; (2) city hall bonds; (3) annexation project. The cry was for a Greater Oakland. The intense interest in this election was shown by the large registra- tion and the unprecedentedly large vote polled during the early part of the day. The occasion was momentous and inspiring to all who loved the splendid city, the beautiful bay and the Golden state. For weeks the campaign of education had gone on until all the grand purposes of the election were instilled into every heart. The vote on the bonds was as follows : city hall bonds-for 10,104, against 834; water front bonds-for 10,056, against 758; fire alarm bonds-for 9.930, against 841. The vote on the annexation project was in Oakland 7,933 for and 160 against ; in Fruitvale 1,449 for and 678 against ; in Brooklyn 640 for and 185 against ; in Claremont 34 for and 7 against. Brooklyn included Elmhurst, Melrose and Fitchburg. The bond vote aggregated $3,500,000.
During the five years from 1906 to 1910 inclusive over 20,000 building per- mits were issued, representing an expenditure of over $35,000,000. In July, 1910, W. C. Clark, I. H. Clay, C. H. Daly, G. W. Dornin, A. H. Elliott, R. B. Felton, John Forrest, R. M. Hamb, Hugh Hogan, Albert Kayser, G. C. Pardee, H. S. Robinson, F. L. Shaw, R. H. Chamberlain and J. J. McDonald were elected freeholders to frame the proposed new charter for Oakland. On October 21 the
436
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Oakland museum was opened to the public. During the succeeding winter a sys- tem of school lectures was inaugurated for the benefit of the scholars of the city. C. P. Wilcomb was elected curator. The following was the vote on the new charter in December, 1910: For the charter, 8,884; against it, 2,884.
The development of modern residential subdivisions was one of the wonders of Oakland's growth in 1909-10. Breed and Bancroft developed Elenwood park, the Sante Fe tracts, Steinway terrace and other attractive subdivisions. The Frank K. Mott Company evolved Broadmoor, Grand Avenue Heights and East- lawn. The Laymance Company sold many in-properties and handled the Rock Ridge properties.
In 1910 the following improvements were commenced or finished: Seventh street pavement and railway tracks; extension of car service to several suburbs ; side tracks, power stations and car shops; water front terminal of the Western Pacific; the Key Route pier; introduction of the hydro-electric power into the city from the Sierras; water service supplied with a great distributing reservoir with a capacity of 150,000,000 gallons; organization of the United Properties Company, second largest corporation in the state; Hotel Oakland well advanced -total cost about two millions dollars ; work on the Twelfth street dam; a munic- ipal electricity building on the lake shore; destruction of the old library and other buildings at city hall site; contracts for the municipal wharves ; great advance in the construction of modern buildings; railroad extension ; harbor improvement ; electric feeders ; and long lines of sewer mains.
Early in 1911 the United Properties Company was organized here with an alleged capital of $200,000,000; it was designed to unite several of the largest business interests for the purpose of securing larger and better results through union and cooperation. The Key Route System, the Realty Syndicate and the Oakland Traction Company were to be involved. Frank M. Smith was at the head of this business venture. Early this year Oakland opposed the bill in the Legislature providing for the annexation of this city to San Francisco. A desperate and determined fight was waged against the passage of the bill and was successful.
In June the Oakland municipal water commission was appointed and at first planned the condemnation of the Oakland division of the People's Water Com- pany and later in the year proposed a partnership of seven municipalities to go into the water business as a $10,000,000 corporation. The water committee of Oakland, Mayor Frank K. Mott, of Oakland, Mayor J. Stitt Wilson of Berkeley, City Attorney Long of San Francisco and representatives of many other sections of the state, approved this measure about December Ist. This step really amended the Acts of 1909 and 1911 and made possible the creation of metropolitan inter- urban water districts. The district proposed here included Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Piedmont, Emeryville, Albany and San Leandro. In 1899 it was pro- posed to form a municipal water district, but the law of eminent domain then made it impossible to condemn the properties of the People's Water Company. But finally there was evolved a successful method of rate fixing by which the city was saved $900,000 and the old litigation which had cost the city $400,000 was eliminated. An amendment to the law of eminent domain made it possible for the city to bond itself for a large sum to take over a vast public improvement. But there were many obstacles which had to be overcome and time was needed.
NEW CITY HALL, OAKLAND
437
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
Finally the condemnation plan was abandoned, and a municipal metropolitan water district received favorable consideration.
The new charter which went into effect in the spring of 1911 combined the legislative and executive functions of the municipal government in the hands of five commissioners of whom the mayor was the official head. The charter was thus revolutionary and something of an experiment, but had the confidence of the people, though it was realized that great care would have to be exercised to select the right officials to put it into successful and satisfactory operation. In this emergency there was a general demand that Mayor Mott who had made good in the past should be entrusted with the establishment of the new order of municipal affairs. Early in the campaign he formally announced his candi- dacy for reelection. The strongest factors in his favor were his previous hon- est and successful administrations and his familiarity with all the problems that would confront the new executive.
On the auditorium and school improvement propositions in May, 1911 the vote was as follows: For $500,000 auditorium 7,119, against it, 2,734; for $1,- 755,000 lower school improvements 7,029, against them, 2,616; for $738,000 high school improvements 7,222, against them, 2,594. This was a splendid endorse- ment of the demands for better school facilities and other educational and civic advantages.
Oakland celebrated joyously and elaborately the victory of San Francisco over New Orleans when it was learned that the former had won the Panama Exposition by the vote of 259 to 43 in Congress. Realty transfers were very active in the annexed district in 1911. In about eight months ending with November the acreage property sold aggregated $2,500,000 in value. Among the large tracts sold were the Judge Matthews estate near Elmhurst, the Henderson tract, the Pope estate west of Fitchburg, the Morse tract called the Highlands, De Golia place and the Joe Dieves property.
On October 13, 1911, President Taft laid the corner stone of the new city hall building. An immense assemblage witnessed and applauded the event. Governor Johnson was present and took part in the ceremonies. More than a score of other prominent men of the state joined the long and brilliant parade. From Oakland the President went to San Francisco to break ground for the Panama Canal Fair.
For 1912 Oakland's building record was estimated at $9,009,733; and for 1913 at $9,106,191. More steel structures were built the latter year than during all previous years. Everywhere new churches, schoolhouses, residences and busi- ness blocks arose, the latter to the height of ten and twelve stories. More than a thousand new residences were erected. The Hotel Oakland was duly opened to the public and dedicated the day before Christmas. There was a large assem- blage of the best people of the whole bay region present, and amid the choicest music and quips and jests of a joyous company a fine banquet was enjoyed. W. W. Garthwaite was president of the Oakland Hotel Company. The comple- tion of this magnificent hostelry was the finality of the spirit and enterprise of the city's business men, particularly the bankers.
In October, 1913, at an executive session of the committe of twelve named by the mayors of Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda as a result of a recent con- ference of the officials of eleven cities of the East Bay region, provision for the
438
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
commencement of active work on a detailed report as to the advisability of forming a public utilities district under the Gates bill was made. Among the important gatherings in the city in 1913 were the following: Reception of Josephus Daniels, secretary of the navy; Knights Templar Conclave, Native Sons celebration, convention of the State Medical Society, state dental conven- tion, dedication of the city hall, meeting of the California Press Association ; meeting of the State Retail Hardware Association; and the banquets and balls -all held with the new Hotel Oakland as the central point of interest.
During 1913, owing to the depression in all parts of the country of the stock and bond market, Oakland was obliged to call for a reissue of nearly three million dollars in bonds. The reissue was carried by the voters with an overwhelming majority, thus supporting with emphasis the admitted and desired policy of public improvements being carried into effect. Following is the annual record of new buildings constructed in Oakland since 1905, when the issuance of building permits was started :
Year
No. Permits
Value
1905
1,836
$2,422,837.44
1906
4,832
7,690,195.13
1907
4,507
8,243,983.25
1908
3,614
6,320,562.36
1909
3,286
5,318,512.03
19IC
3.968
6,913,643.47
19II
3,961
6,992,262.50
1912
4,034
9,009.733.85
1913
3.707
9,106,191.40
Total
$62,017,921.43
Among the important forward steps at Oakland and vicinity in 1913-14 were the following: Opening for traffic of the Oakland, Antioch and Eastern Rail- road which gave a short electric rail connection with Sacramento; three trans- continental railways; lines running north to Seattle and south to Mexico; the transfer of the Terminal railways to George G. Moore; the opening of the draw- bridges across the canal; reclamation of the Alameda marshes; work on the harbor and the water front ; many miles of paved streets ; improvement of county roads; the construction of many large steel buildings; the wonderful growth of the suburban districts; the vast water and rail commerce; large numbers of new hotels and apartment houses; the expansion of the retail district ; commence- ment of the auditorium; increase on wharf and dock facilities; extensive work on the parking systems; construction of the embarcadero; increase in the num- ber of ferry boats; completion of a portion of the elevated electric railway ; completion in part of the country boulevards-Dublin, Niles canyon, Hayward connecting with the scenic or foothills boulevard, fine bridges-Niles and Hay- ward. In 1913-14 an efficiency credit system was installed in the municipal departments of Oakland. On January 1, 1914, the bonded debt of Oakland was as follows
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HOTEL OAKLAND, OAKLAND
CHAPTER XXI
THE SMALLER CITIES AND TOWNS
Livermore proper was founded in 1869 upon the completion of the Central Pacific Railway to that point, but settlers were there long before that date. In 1850, Alphonso Ladd settled in the Sunol valley and in the spring of 1864 pre- empted a quarter section and erected a small dwelling at what became Laddsville and later a part of Livermore. He soon built a large frame hotel which was burned down in 1867. Adam Fath settled near him and Alexander Mesa, a Spaniard, opened a saloon. Henry Goetjen started a store in 1865. Others came and a private school was started in 1866 with Miss Esther Weeks as teacher. The first public school was opened in December, 1866, by J. M. Guinn, teacher. In 1868 R. I. Graham, from Hayward, opened a general store, Anton Bardellini started a restaurant and a Mr. Elliott established a livery stable. After this date the village grew rapidly.
During the summer of 1869 the track of the Central Pacific Railway was laid through the valley and the station was located about half a mile west of Laddsville. The first train arrived in August. In July, 1869, William M. Mendenhall, who owned a large tract of land west of Laddsville, transferred twenty acres to the railroad company and there the station was located and the town of Livermore laid out and named for Robert Livermore the first settler of the valley. In 1870 the old arena where the bullfights had been held was still standing at Laddsville. Among the early industries and improvements were the following: Livermore Springs Water Company; Waterman & Co.'s warehouse; Horton & Kennedy's lumber yard; John Sylward's carriage factory; the Liver- more Brewery; the Olivina vineyard. Petroleum was early discovered near Livermore and coal became a valuable asset. From 1870 to 1872 the population doubled and business became extensive and profitable. The Enterprise was established in 1874, and became the Herald in 1877 under W. P. Bartlett. In 1875 the water company brought water from the Las Pocitas springs. The village was incorporated in April, 1876, and first covered 840 acres. The Water- man brick block was built in 1874. In the fall of 1869 Livermore had a popu- lation of about seventy-five. Coal was first found at Harrisville and in 1875 the Livermore Coal Company was formed. Other shafts were opened from time to time along the ridges and valleys at Corral Hollow. Laddsville was nearly all burned down in 1871. The Fire Company was organized about 1874-75. Mathews and Hilton ran a line of stages from Livermore by way of Pleasan- ton, Dublin and Danville to Mount Diablo. Livermore Grange was established in 1874. A bank was started about 1875. The same year the Livermore library was founded. Various lodges and societies made their appearance at this time. The town even had a dramatic association. Livermore valley hay became famous at an early date; also its wheat, barley, grapes and wine. The Farmers' Union
441
442
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
was incorporated in 1883. In 1880 the population was 855. It was about 1880-81 that vineyards began to replace the wheat and barley fields. The Livermore Valley Wine Growers' Association was strong and active in the '8os. The gas works were started in 1885. An excellent grade of chromite was found near the town and was once marketed extensively. In 1885 the Remillard brick works employed about one hundred men-mostly Italians, French and Portu- guese. The Aqua de Villa springs, owned by W. M. Mendenhall and located ten miles northeast of town, attracted much attention and patronage about 1885-86. The water contained 8.8 grains of magnesium and 12.45 grains of sodium phosphate in each gallon. A telephone line connected Livermore and the Arroyo valley vineyard districts in 1886. A white steam laundry company was founded in 1886 as a step to circumvent the Chinese. About the same time Livermore dealers stopped permanently the Chinese vegetable peddlers from operating in that city. But the white laundry was soon forced to suspend for want of patronage. When this fact became known the American flag was raised over the Chinese wash house near the depot. Soon the white laundry was revived and started again, whereupon it was suggested that the Chinese should shift the flag to half mast. The town became a presidential postoffice in 1885. In 1888 electric lights were introduced in the streets and public buildings. A little later the system was greatly extended. The Bolsa canal was constructed in 1888-89 -three and a half miles at a cost of over $17,000. The town assessment in 1888 was $561,950. Gold and silver ore were found by Mr. Mendenhall near Aqua de Villa in 1889. This year Mr. Mendenhall sued the trustees to recover title to a long narrow strip of land in the heart of the town containing 51.2 acres and extending along the south side of Rancho Las Pocitas grant. By 1890 the north flank of Mount Hamilton began to be covered with settlers. Thousands of robins, driven from the mountains by the deep snow, were killed near Livermore in 1890. In four nights Thomas Coffman killed 4,000 by shoot- ing promiscuously into the trees where they roosted in countless numbers ; they brought 40 cents a dozen in San Francisco markets. The Farmers' Warehouse Company was organized in 1891. In 1893 Livermore for the first time fought successfully the undue development of the saloon interests. This year the citi- zens assembled and took strong grounds against the employment of Chinese in the vineyards. In 1895 the almond crop of Livermore and vicinity amounted to 50,000 pounds. In 1896 the Library Association was reorganized by the League of Progress, the Ladies' Auxiliary and the Jolly Bachelors and the Odd Fel- lows library of Oakland was purchased. About the same time Mr. Bartlett gave the library 200 volumes.
Livermore Collegiate Institute was founded in 1870 by Doctor and Mrs. Kingsbury and was located on the north bank of Arroyo Mocho. The main building was three stories high, with flanks of less height and with several out- buildings. In 1875 the property was purchased by Prof. J. D. Smith, who also had been an instructor in Washington College, this county. The First Presby- terian church was started in 1871; the Methodist church was organized in 1885; the Catholics dedicated their big church in 1891, Archbishop Riordan laid the cornerstone. Livermore Lodge, I. O. O. F., was established in 1873: Livermore Lodge, A. F. & A. M., about the same time; Vesper Lodge. A. O. U. W., in
1
PUBLIC LIBRARY, LIVERMORE
443
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
1878; Livermore Lodge, I. O. G. T., 1881; Livermore Council, A. L. of H., in I882.
The Union high school was dedicated in August, 1893. The county super- intendent, the high school principal and President Kellogg of the university delivered addresses. In the building were four main rooms and a large base- ment divided into two sections for boys and girls respectively.
The dairy industry became extensive at Livermore in the '8os and 'gos. The citizens called for irrigation in order that cows could have luxuriant grass the year round. Efforts to establish a creamery were made. In 1890 Livermore had over twenty miles of graded streets.
In recent years Livermore has steadily increased in population, but most noticeable of all is the fact that it is up to date with merchants, manufacturers, real estate dealers, clubs, societies, lodges, schools, churches, fire system, light- ing system, civic improvements, Chamber of Commerce, banks, newspapers, benevolent organizations, Carnegie library, water system, medicinal springs, etc. It is the center of a large industry in oil, coal, glass sand, potter's clay, brick clay, quicksilver, chromite, lime, etc. Livermore hay grown on the Altamont hills is the best in the West and has been shipped in large lots to Liverpool, England. At the present day the Cresta Blanca, Giersberger and Ruby Hill vine- yards are known the world over for their products.
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