USA > California > Alameda County > The centennial year book of Alameda County, California : containing a summary of the discovery and settlement of California, a description of the Contra Costa under Spanish, Mexican, and American rule, biographical sketches of prominent pioneers and public men > Part 42
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At the time of the water front compromise, in April, 1868, the capital stock of the Water Front Company was apportioned as fol- lows: Carpentier, 25,000 shares; Felton, 5,000 shares; Stanford, 20,000 shares. Just one-half of the stock stood in the name of Car- pentier, but Edson Adams was associated with him in the ownership. The Company owned every foot of overflowed land surounding the city, with these exceptions :
The property on the north bank of the creek, between the center line of Franklin street, and the east line of Webster street. A. A. Cohen tried to get it away from the city, notwithstanding the reser- vation in the contract, but he was ultimately beaten, and it is now occupied by the city wharf.
Five hundred acres were to be granted to the Western Pacific Rail- road, and also the right of way, but the frontage on ship's channel was restricted to half a mile.
The property between the middle of Washington street and the middle of Franklin street, which includes Broadway wharf, was reserved by Carpentier.
453
OAKLAND CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
The strip of land occupied by the railroad wharf was owned by the San Francisco and Oakland Railroad Company, subsequently merged into the Central Pacific.
Dr. Merritt acquired title to the frontage between Washington and Clay streets, but beyond this transfer the ownership of none of the land has passed from the Water Front Company. Stanford and the Railroad themselves do not own a controlling interest, but the other owners seem to have agreed to disagree, or to do nothing with it, preferring that Congress should improve it and enhance its value for them.
In June, 1869, the various clouds that had been hanging over the city property were dispelled, and a compromise whereby all outstand- ing claims could be purchased at a nominal rate was effected. The years 1868 and 1869 were the most important in the city's history. The location of the railroad terminus had been effected, land titles were perfected, the State University secured, and the ferry very much improved, so as to meet the requirements of the increased traffic. A real estate furor had passed by, injuring many, to be sure, but still leaving prices at reasonable rates. The building of a superior class of residences commenced, and ever since has kept up, with increased gains every year, until the present has surpassed all of its prede- cessor's.
In 1850 the population of Oakland was nothing. It only com- menced in that year to have any. In 1860 the federal census gave it a population of 1,553; in 1870 it was 10,500; and in 1876 no estimate places it below 30,000, while some claim it to be as high as 35,000. The population has been augmented since 1870 by the an- nexation of the town of Brooklyn, in Sept., 1872, and the annexation of a portion of the northern limits the same year.
From these two sources an addition of about 3,000 was made to the population of the city ; but the increase of new comers has been unprecedented in the annals of any city in the United States, not excepting Brooklyn, which stands in the same relation to New York as Oakland to San Francisco-and judging by the same examples of gain, there is no limit to be placed to the future growth and prosper- ity of the City of Oaks. Here is how Brooklyn grew :
Year.
Population.
Year,
Population.
1802
-
86
1820
-
7,475
1814
3,805
1825
-
-
10,795
1816
-
4,402
1830
-
- 15,295
454
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Year.
Population.
Year.
Population.
1835
24,310
1855
- 205,250
1840
36,333
1860
- 266,714
1845
59,574
1865
-
- 296,112
1850
-
96,838
1870
- 406,097
By these figures it will be seen that that city took about 40 years to acquire a population that Oakland has gained in 26. But should our increase only keep pace with that of Brooklyn, in 70 years from the commencement of the city, in 1920, Oakland will have a popula- tion of over 400,000 ! The possibilities in this regard are almost in- calculable.
The progress of the city and the enhancement of values can be easily ascertained by the following figures, showing the amount of each year's assessment roll from 1863-4, to the present year.
Year.
Amount of Assessment.
1863-64
$794,121
1864-65
970,125
1865-66
-
1,107,949
1866-67
1,434,800
1867-68
1,834,428
1868-69
3,363,478
1869-70
4,256,702
1870-71
4,563,737
1871-72
5,215,704
1872-73
6,647,039
1873-74
18,539,303
1874-75
19,867,162
1875-76
22,200,706
1876-77
24,000,718
The rate of taxation for 1876-77 is 80 cents on the $100, produc- ing a revenue of $211,206.32.
It is proper to explain that the reason of the great increase in 1873-4 was owing to a change in the assessment law, by which val- nes were greatly enhanced, and placed at a real, rather than a nom- inal figure.
Oakland has never had a set back from the elements. Neither fire nor flood nor earthquake has ever visited her roughly, nor caused her inhabitants even temporary inconvenience. Abundance has con- tinually poured into her lap, and the comfortable condition of her people is testified by elegant mansions, costly furniture and superb lawns and gardens. Her streets and avennes, for smoothness and beauty, are unsurpassed, and stretch away for miles in every direc- tion, leading to the hill side and the mountain top, to groves and
455
OAKLAND CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
gardens, to lake and seaside, to valley and plain. Miles of railroad, conveying steam cars that are constantly in motion, transferring pas- sengers alike to the central and remote parts of the city and suburbs, are in operation, as well as horse-railroads, that traverse the city, and beyond, north, south and east. Six fine ferry steamers are constantly plying, carrying passengers and freight to and from San Francisco.
Extensive water works supply the city abundantly, and in summer time all the smooth macadam streets are sprinkled, adding greatly to the comfort of the inhabitants ; and gas of a superior quality is sup- plied as cheaply as in any place in the State.
Oakland's educational facilities are unsurpassed, and here is to be found every facility for instructing youth, from the Kindergarten to a free and magnificently-endowed University.
In this volume is presented a faithful sketch of Oakland, as it appeared in 1854, when first formed into a city. It was the author's aim, at the outset of this enterprise, to also produce a view of it as it appears this Centennial year, but this will now have to be left for a later day. What a wonderful contrast do the two pictures pre- sent! In the one we see a few badly-built, small wooden houses, lining little more than a single block on each side of Broadway, at the landing, with a few one-story houses scattered around among the oaks. From the bay, Oakland was altogether invisible in the first picture we have of it; indeed, until the creek was well entered, a stranger could discern little or no sign of an inhabited town. But to-day it presents a massive front on every side, and is visible for many miles in every direction. It stretches along the Contra Costa slope, a picture of rare beauty, in pleasing contrast with the smoke- enveloped city on the opposite side. Its wooden palaces are the admiration of all who see them. Tall and elegant spires pierce the sky in every direction ; massive structures, such as the Court-house, the Catholic Church, the City Hall, the High School, the Grand Central Hotel, Tubbs' Hotel and Badger's Pavilion, rear their huge forms above their fellows and command attention ; elegant business structures with facades of the most modern styles greet the eye and please the fancy, on our principal thoroughfares. Elegant streets and broad, substantial sidewalks give abundance of room to the thousands of carriages that roll through them on errands of business and pleasure ; while the ever-moving stream of pedestrians pass along easily and comfortably, without being jostled or annoyed.
Up to 1869 Oakland had no buildings worthy of mention. First
456
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
came the City Hall, then the High School. These have been rapidly succeeded, year after year, by a large number of fine and costly struc- tures, churches, schools, convents, banks, hotels, factories, business houses and private residences, that any place might be proud of. From the summit of the mountain to the north, the view of the City of Oakland is not only unrivalled, but absolutely unequalled, in the world, for beauty ; while, for grandeur, the view in every direction is such as to excite the greatest admiration and wonder. There is not a street in Oakland that does not present a view fit for the attention of an artist, while all have termination points that take in some piece of distant mountain, such as Tamalpais, San Bruno, and the San Francisco heights on the opposite shore ; while our own Contra Costa is ever presenting some delightful piece of scenery, that is drawn close or pushed away, according to the varying condition of the atmos- phere. Nowhere, in the wide world, is to be found a more superbly wooded place ; here is to be found, in profusion, the majestic prime- val oak, ornamenting alike, street, square, garden and lawn ; here the graceful poplar rears its slender and leafy shaft, ornamenting our avenues ; here arises the giant eucalyptus, or Australian gum tree, its towering, perpendicular branches furnishing shade and adding to our hygienic advantages; here the ornate acacia, with its feathery branches and yellow blossoms, ever entertains the eye; here the pepper, the cypress, the locust, cottonwood, and a thousand other varieties of trees and shrubs, exotics from every clime, even to the orange and the lemon, ornament our gardens. Fruit orchards of every kind sur- round our suburbs. In fact, every natural advantage and every artificial contrivance is here presented or produced to minister to the wants, comforts and pleasures of a refined population. Travelers, who have unlocked the secrets of every clime and country, in Asia, Africa, Europe, South America and Oceanica, yield the palm of supremacy in beauty, healthfulness, climate and comforts to Oakland. One who is an admirer of natural beauty, has here ever an untin- ished feast ; he may drink, almost to intoxication, of a balmy and exhilarating atmosphere, and thank God that He has placed him in such a happy abode !
There is not space left to describe in detail all of Oakland's advan- tages, institutions and happy conditions, for in fact they are of them- selves sufficient to fill a volume.
In extent the corporate limits of Oakland are large, comprising about four and a half miles of territory running north and south, and
ITNER ENG
OAKLAND HIGH SCHOOL.
457
OAKLAND CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
three and a half miles from west to east. Its extent in square acres has never been accurately given, but it approximates to 20,000 acres, nearly one half of which is marsh lands on the borders of the bay, Lake Merritt and the San Antonio estuary.
The surface of the ground is undulating, and possesses excellent drainage facilities, excepting on what is known as the " flats." On the border of Lake Merritt and in Brooklyn there is considerable ele- vated ground. Independence Square, in the latter section, is 117 feet above tide water, while at the intersection of Broadway and Twelfth street the grade is 38 feet above high tide. The soil is fri- able and fertile, being for the greater part of sandy formation, in which lime and iron considerably mix. In East Oakland, however, and the northern limits, there is considerable adobe. The surface of the earth was originally covered with a forest of live oak trees and a dense growth of underbrush. The streets are now all macadamized or in course of improvement, and are as smooth and symmetrical as those of Paris. After rain they dry up rapidly, and are seldom in a very muddy condition -the water being drawn off by culverts and sewers.
The improvement of the harbor will soon admit vessels of the heaviest draught to the wharves, and when completed will give her a water front of over eight and a half miles, and the two banks of the estuary, as per the improvements progressing and in view, will give her about thirteen additional miles of water front.
THE NORTHERN LIMITS
Of Oakland Township include the suburbs north of the charter line, at Twenty-second street, and extending to Temescal creek, which is thickly settled, and rapidly filling up. Then there are two or three miles of flat, farming country, until Berkeley, the seat of the State University, is reached. Here, within the past three years, a town has been built up; and at Ocean View, or West Berkeley, quite a town has sprung into existence within a year, possessing a fine wharf, with a ferry steamer, making several trips daily to San Fran- cisco. Here is located the California Watch Factory and the works of the Standard Soap Company, erected last winter. There is also here a fine pleasure ground. In the northern limits are situated Lusk's extensive pickling and fruit-canning establishment, and the Oakland Race Track; then comes the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Insti- tute, the University Buildings and the other places, just mentioned.
458
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
A couple of miles or three more of farming country brings us to the Contra Costa County line, and we are done. The San Pablo avenue, commencing at the Oakland City Hall, leads through this section, on the bay side; Telegraph avenue brings us to the village of Temescal, the mountain road and the University buildings, on the other. Berkeley is now reached by both horse and steam cars. Through the western side of the township, close to the waters of the bay, is now being constructed the Northern Railway of California. The drive out both those roads is now very fine.
459
OAKLAND CITY AND TOWNSHIP.
BROOKLYN VIDETTE
A LOCAL WEEKLY NEWSPAPER,
Published every Friday morning by G. W. BARTER, Brooklyn (East Oakland), Cal. SUBSCRIPTION, $3.50 per annum, in advance. | $2 per 6 months, in advance.
CONTAINS
Miscellaneous reading matter, embracing Short Stories, Poetry, and Local Gossip ; also a weekly record of local Real Estate Transfers, weekly record of new buildings being constructed, weekly List of Advertised Letters. weekly record of Brooklyn affairs in the City Council, Board of Education, and Board of Supervisors.
This Paper is printed from bold Scotch-faced type, and is in popular favor throughout Alameda County.
FRANKLIN WARNER. SPENCER C. BROWNE.
WARNER & BROWNE,
Real Estate Dealers,
Ninth Street, near Broadway,
Directly opposite the Post Office, OAKLAND, Cal.
H. J. PLOMTEAUX,
P ENTIST,
DENTAL ROOMS,
RESIDENCE,
N. E. cor. Broadway & Tenth St., Brown Street, bet. Market & West,
OAKLAND.
460
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Enright's Patent Portable Wood and Straw Burning Engine Patented July 20th and November 2d, 1875.
0
EN
JORT
SANTOS
Burns Wood or Straw without change, and coal by changing two plates. Took the premium at the California State Fair, 1875, as the best Straw Burner.
Pioneer Builder of the first Portable Thresher Engine on the Pacific Coast, 1861. PATENTEE AND BUILDER OF THE
Best Portable Straw or Wood Burning Thresher Engines, 1876. Send for Testimonials and Price to
JOSEPH ENRIGHT, San Jose, Cal.
HUENEMA, Ventura Co., May 9th, 1876.
MR. JOSEPH ENRIGHT, San Jose .- Dear Sir : The engine I bought of you a year ago is a success as a straw burner. It furnishes sufficient power, with two tons of straw a day, to run two separators. I ran a 40-inch Russell Separator part of last season ; then I got a new 40-inch Buffalo Pitt, and could, and did, run both at once in starting the new separator. The advantage of your engine over any other brought here, as a straw burner, is the capacity of the large combustion chamber, affording plenty of room to store away the cinders and clinkers formed from the salty straw, that will not burn up, but can be removed every half day without the loss of time. I had spent much time and money trying straw burning engines, and always failed till I got yours. Yours truly, J. Y. SAVIERS.
MILLS' SEMINARY, BROOKLYN TOWNSHIP, ALAMEDA COUNTY.
-1
BROOKLYN TOWN AND TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXX.
-
Geographical Location-Dimensions -- Early Settlement-The First Home of the Peralta Brothers -- The Redwoods -- The Embarca- dero-First American and European Settlers-The Patten Broth- ers-The Town of Clinton Laid Out by a Company-James B. Larue Founds Brooklyn-Large Hotel Built -- Destroyed by Fire -- First Substantial Residences-The First Frame House Yet Stand- ing-The Larue Ferry-Shell Mound-Settlement of Adams Avenue and Fruit Vale-Fine Orchards-Good Barley and Oat Lands-A Fortune in Barley-Vegetables-Small Fruits-De- lightful Location and Healthy Climate-Advantages of Adobe Soil-Varied Advantages-Town Sites-Commercial and Manu- facturing Advantages-Undeveloped Mineral Resources-Manu- facturing and Ore-Refining Establishments-Eucalyptus Forests -Horse Railroads-Central Pacific Railroad Stations-Harbor, Creeks, and Landings-Towns and Villages-Mills Seminary- The San Leandro Reservoir and Water Mains-Artesian Wells, Windmills and Water Tanks-Sprinkled Roads-Tubbs' and other Hotels -- Stock-Raisers-Secret Societies and Churches- School Accommodations-Street Improvements-Vote and Popu- lation-Toll Road-Heavy Tax-Payers-Steam Car Communica- tion With Oakland and San Francisco-The Press-Character of Population-Post Offices, etc. 1
Brooklyn Township adjoins Oakland on the west, and in its lower part is divided from it by Lake Merritt and the Slough. It has also a frontage on San Antonio Creek. It is bounded on the northwest by Oakland, Alameda, and the bay ; on the south by Eden, and on the east by Contra Costa County. Its area is about 24,344 acres, and it stretches down the valley a distance of seven miles, from Twelfth- street bridge to San Leandro ; while its depth, from the mountains to the bay, is eight miles.
462
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Brooklyn, in point of settlement, has the priority over Oakland. Within its borders, near the San Leandro creek, the first white habi- tation on the whole Contra Costa was built, for here the Peralta brothers made their first rude and solitary home. The exact date of their settlement was the year 18 -. The first American settlement was made in the Redwoods, five miles back of San Antonio, in 1849, where the settlers were engaged in manufacturing lumber and shing- les ; and, at a subsequent date, no less than four saw-mills were employed in the business. Here many of our prominent citizens first graduated into California life.
Near Commerce street, on the estuary, at Brooklyn, was the first embarcadero, or landing, where now is situated Larue's busy wharf. The first European that we have heard of, located here, was a French- man, who kept cows-the same that aided the Patten brothers in getting their land from Peralta. In February, 1850, the Pattens set- tled in that portion of the township which adjoins Oakland Township, and is locally known as Clinton, and became the first American set- tlers in the present city limits ; but that Frenchman, whoever he was, was before them. In fact, the writer has also heard of a Frenchman who hunted and occupied a small shanty near the foot of Washington street, before Carpentier or Adams came, but the Gauls have left no traces of their prior presence. In 1871 came James B. Larue and pitched his tent in San Antonio, where he started a small store, built a wharf and dealt in real estate, and finally started a steam ferry to San Francisco. In 1853 a store was built by David S. Lacy, at the corner of East Twelfth street and Twelfth avenue, which is now occu- pied as Bangle & Chase's paint shop, and in which was associated with him Mr. B. M. Atchinson. In 1854 a large hotel was built in Clinton by the town joint stock company, on the vacant block bounded by Twelfth street on the west and Twelfth avenue on the south. The first house with a bay window, on this side of the bay, was that built by Hon. Thomas Eagar, on the corner of Seventh avenue and East Twelfth street. Harry Tupper's house, on the northwest corner of East Fourteenth street and Thirteenth avenue, was one of the first houses built in the town. It has recently been reconstructed, and is now the fine home of Mr. Eagar. Captain Badger's house, situated in the centre of his beautiful park, was built by Captain Naegle. The house now belonging to and occupied by Dr. C. C. Knowles, was built by the Hon. William Van Voorhies; and that close by, now the residence of William Faulkner, was built by Senator Henry S.
463
BROOKLYN TOWN AND TOWNSHIP.
Foote, formerly of Mississippi, and father of William W. Foote, of Oakland. The first permanent house built upon that lonely plain, and undoubtedly the first erected within the present limits of Oak- land City, is there yet to be seen, forming the kitchen of Mr. George Chase's residence, on the corner of Third avenue and Ninth streets.
The first habitation erected by the Pattens was a tent, which frequently stood in imminent danger from the troops of wild cattle that would come rushing around it in the night time, before its occupants had time and material to fence it in.
In 1852, the firm of Tompkins, Strode, Jones & McLemore, with the Pattens, bought all Clinton and Brooklyn, extending from Lake Merritt to Sausal creek, at Fruit Vale, comprising 6,200 acres, and went into the business of town-making. They graded Washington street, or, as it is now called, East Twelfth street, from the slough (what it was then), to the ravine at Commerce street, and planted it on both sides with cottonwood trees ; a few specimens of which yet remain, the rest having been destroyed by the wild cattle, then so numerous. The flag staff, on Washington Plaza, near Tubb's Hotel, was then erected. The establishment of the ferry route, by the Larue Company, in 1858, was a great advantage to Brooklyn or San Antonio, which soon became a lively place. It was that, however, as early as 1854, a considerable native population having gathered there, and bull-fighting was a regular Sunday amusement. Shell Mound, the residence of Captain E. F. Rodgers, at the head of the estuary, became noted as a nursery and for the excellence of its fruit orchard. On the 20th day of January, 1859, W. A. Bray settled on Adams Avenue, and commenced cultivating his oak tree farm, which has become the centre of a wealthy and cultivated neighbor- hood. In the following spring came E. H. Derby, and settled opposite to him. The two friends built good houses, planted shade trees, cultivated fine orchards, and made handsome lawns ; and to them we are indebted for the delightful piece of locust-lined avenue in front of their premises. In the upper end of Fruit Vale avenue settled Henderson Lewelling, nurseryman, and Governor Weller, whose places are now occupied by Hugh Dimond and Frederick Rhoda, both in good condition and fine state of cultivation.
The farmers and horticulturists were generally successful, and most of them made money. The orchard of Frederick Rhoda, at the head of Fruit Vale avenue, is one of the best in the State; so is that of C. T. Hopkins, J. V. Webster, Mr. Schumaker, and many
464
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
others. Near San Leandro are some that are prized for their fine appearance and the value of their fruit, especially that of Robert S. Farrelly, which, for the size of it, is not surpassed by any. The bot- tom lands of Brooklyn Township are valuable for growing barley and oats, which, in early days, were very valuable crops. Mr. John Mathews, whose land is situated about three miles from San Leandro, made here a fortune some years ago, growing barley, and retains it.
Vegetables also are largely grown in Brooklyn Township, princi- pally in the bottom lands near San Leandro. None of the sensitive fruits thrive here, not even the grape ; but small fruits, such as blackberries and raspberries, do splendid. There is no more delight- ful place in the world, for health and comfort, than Fruit Vale and valley land extending south-easterly along the foot-hills, which in- cludes the site of Mills Seminary. The soil is adobe and clay. It differs from that of Alameda and Oakland, inasmuch as the latter is a sandy loam. One can cultivate a larger area of ground in one day, in Alameda, than he can in two in Brooklyn, on the adobe land. In this respect, both have an advantage. The light sandy soil soon dries for an inch or two below the surface, and sufficient moisture is not retained at such a depth to promote the germination of the seed ; therefore, garden operations have to begin in January, and as the season advances the seed is planted deeper in the soil. The Brook- lyn land, though requiring much greater muscular exercise and severe working to get it in good order and keep it so, is always sure of yielding a bountiful crop, excepting in certain spots, which do not permit of very remunerative farming. The tendency of adobe soil to crack is prevented by sufficient working, and it does not part with its moisture as readily as the sandy loam. Grain, hay, fruits and vegetables are the staple agricultural and horticultural products of this township, although a good many cattle are reared.
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