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 43
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But Brooklyn is not an agricultural township exclusively, by any means. There is not, in all California, a locality of more varied advantages. Its western section affords the most delightful and desirable of village and town sites, and has abundance of fine scenery on hill and plain. It possesses great commercial advantages in having the head of the estuary of San Antonio, and the future basin for shipping, when Oakland harbor will woo the commerce of the world; and on its western border is San Leandro Bay, with its many creeks, penetrating the marsh land. That its mountains are largely impregnated with minerals, has been already shown in this
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BROOKLYN TOWN AND TOWNSHIP.
work. The only piece of native forest land in the county is on its eastern border ; and it gives promise already to be the future manu- facturing center of California. There are in Brooklyn Township one large jute factory, employing about 400 hands, manufacturing grain sacks ; one flouring-mill, two breweries, two tanneries, two potteries, one terra-cotta manufactory, one planing-mill, one sash, door and blind factory, an extensive rope factory, three costly works for the reduction of ores, a fuse-factory, and several carriage-factories. It has some nurseries, and possesses three small forests of eucalyptus trees-two belonging to General Williams and Doctor Merritt, back of Brooklyn Town, and one at Fitchburg. It is now in possession of three horse-railroads, and will soon, probably, have one traversing its entire length, to San Leandro. The Central Pacific Railroad runs through it, and has three stations within it. Several creeks meander down from the mountains, the principal of which are the San Antonio, Sausal and San Leandro. It has, besides its regular harbor, two good landings-Clark's, at Melrose, and Damon's, at the mouth of San Leandro creek-with sufficient water for good-sized craft. When Brooklyn was incorporated, in 1870, its charter desig- nated three town sites that were embraced within the corporation limits, viz. : Clinton, Brooklyn (first known as San Antonio) and Lynn. The latter is situated on the heights, about a mile from the wharf, and got its name from a large boot and shoe manufactory that was established there in 1867 or 1868, but which did not prove a success. Fruit Vale is an avenue, immediately on the eastern border of the city, but carries on no traffic except in fruits, being all private residences, with orchards and gardens attached. The head of this avenue affords beautiful sites for country mansions. Melrose, about two miles from Brooklyn, is a railroad station, near which is the rope-walk and two smelting works. Close by this is Clark's Land- ing. A mile or two further south is Damon's Landing, with the California Reduction Works. Near this is the Pacific Race Track and the Town of Fitchburg, with its landing and acres of eucalyptus forest and miles of evergreen hedges. Up in the foot-hills nestles the foremost female educational establishment in California-the Mills Seminary-with its beautiful lawn and lovely shades. Close by is Divinity Church, one of the handsomest Protestant edifices in the State, built for the late Rev. Mr. Lacy.
The water mains from the San Leandro reservoir of the Contra Costa Water Company is laid along the County road between Oak-
30
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
land and San Leandro, through Brooklyn Township. There are several artesian wells in Brooklyn Township, which yield abund- antly, the principal one being that formerly used by the water company in the Town of Brooklyn. Windmills and water tanks are located along the County road to keep it sprinkled in summer time, an operation which is regularly performed twice each day.
The Town of Brooklyn, which constitutes the Seventh Ward of Oakland City, has several good hotels, one of them being among the first of the family hotels in the State-the Tubbs-which, for beauty of location and choice of grounds, is the admiration of all. There are, besides, the Union Hotel and the Eastern Hotel, and several houses of public entertainment along the County road. Brooklyn has two eminent stock-raisers in Josiah Sessions and J. D. Patterson. The town has a Masonic, Odd Fellows' and Knights of Pythias Lodge ; also, a Literary Society. There is a Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist Church in the town, besides Divinity Church, near Mills Seminary, which is simply a non-secta- rian Protestant church. The school facilities are good, but the rapidly-increasing population scarce permits the keeping up of suffi- cient accommodation. A Convent School is the latest addition to its educational facilities. [Besides Mills Seminary, there is the Seminary of Eucalyptus Hall in the town of Brooklyn, conducted by Mrs. G. E. Smith, for the education of young ladies.
The streets of Brooklyn have been graded and macadamized at great expense, and the work of improvement goes steadily forward. In consequence of the undulating character of the surface, the grading has been very expensive.
The vote of Brooklyn Township, at the Presidential election of 1876, was 890, denoting a total population of 5,340, judging by the rule applied generally, of six inhabitants to one voter, making it second in point of population ; but as there are a great many China- men employed in the sack factory, who have no representation, as well as a great many young ladies in the same position at the Mills and other seminaries, the rule does not apply very well here. By the same rule the population of Brooklyn Town, or the Seventh Ward, would be 3,930, having 655 voters.
There is a short piece of toll-road over the mountain to Moraga Valley, in this township, the only one in the county.
There are 223 persons in the township, who pay taxes on over $5,000 worth of property, the highest assessment being on $152,000.
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BROOKLYN TOWN AND TOWNSHIP.
Brooklyn has steam car communication with Oakland as follows :
From Brooklyn Station-6:40, 7:30, 8:40, 9:40 and 10:40 A. M .; 12:40, 2:40, 4:40, 5:40, 6:40, 7:50, 9:00 and 10:10 P. M. Daily, ex- cept Sundays-5:10 and 5:50 A. M. Sundays only-11:40 A. M. and 1:25 P. M.
From Broadway Station-Oakland to Brooklyn : 8:10, 9:10 and 10:10 A. M .; 1:40, 4:10, 5:10, 6:10, 7:40, 8:50 and 10:00 p. M. ; and except Sundays, 6:50, 11:40 A. M. ; and 12:25 A. M. The following trips are special for Sundays-11:10 A. M. and 1:10 P. M. Fare within the city limits-free. To San Francisco, $3.00 per month, or 15 cents per single trip. Fare by horse-cars, 6} cents, or five checks for 25 cents.
Brooklyn has a good local weekly newspaper in the Fidette, pub- lished by Geo. W. Barter, and established in 1876. The Independ- ent and Home Journal preceded the Vidette, the one in 1870, and the latter in 1871-3.
The population of Brooklyn is mainly American, with a good ad- mixture of Irish, Germans, Canadians, Portuguese, French, and native Californians. There is now but one Post-office in the township, that in the Town of Brooklyn. For a while there was one at Fitchburg, called Edendale.
The business center of Brooklyn Town is about a mile and a half from the business center of Oakland.
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
OAKLAND BOOT & SHOE STORE
F. SENRAM, DEALER IN
Fine Boots & Shoes,
NO. 963 BROADWAY, OAKLAND, CAL.
A Large Assortment Constantly on Hand
ASK FOR
SOLLERS & CO'S CELEBRATED CHILDREN'S SHOES. Every pair stamped on the Sole
MRS. WHARTON,
LADIES' HAIR DOCTRESS
NICHOLL BLOCK.
Washington Street, OAKLAND.
CURES ALL DISEASES OF THE HEAD, HAIR AND FACE.
INGERSOLL
PHOTOGRAPHER,
No. 1069 Broadway, corner Twelfth Street, OAKLAND, CAL.
ALL STYLES OF PICTURES
Known to the art executed in the best style.
SPECIAL ATTENTION PAID TO CHILDREN.
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ALAMEDA TOWN AND TOWNSHIP.
ALAMEDA.
A.C SUTLE
ALAMEDA TOWN AND TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXI.
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General Description-Col. Henry S. Fitch's Attempted Purchase- Foiled, But Got a Portion of It-Sold to Chipman and Aughen- baugh for $14,000-Uncertainty of Litigation-Senator Sharon One of the First Owners-The " Fitch Tract"-First Auction Sale of Lots in Alameda County, in old Alameda-The Town Incorporated in 1852, but no Town Government Organized- Woodstock and Encinal Laid Out-Prominent Citizens-A. A. Cohen-The San Francisco and Alamala Ferry and Railroad- A Weekly Newspaper Established-Town Re-incorporated in 1872-Bridge to Oakland Constructed and the Alameda Ferry and Railroad Discontinued -- Proposed Railroad Circuit-Bay Island Farm-School Facilities-Presidential Vote, and Esti- mated Population-The Harbor Improvement-The Proposed Canal-Fine Climate-Horticultural Products-Oyster Beds- Spring Charms-The Town Government-Schools, Churches, So- cieties and Halls-Definition of the Name of the Newspaper- Nationality of the Population-Distance from Oakland-Time- Table-Tax-Payers.
The Town and Township of Alameda consist of a peninsula about four miles long, and from three-quarters to one and a half miles wide, which was originally known as the Encinal de San Antonio, and is the smallest of our townships. It occupies a parallel position with
470
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Oakland, on the Bay of San Francisco and San Antonio creek. Ala- meda forms a lovely plain of sandy soil, covered with live oak trees, among which the numerous gardens are laid out and the houses em- bowered. Like that of Oakland the soil is friable and productive, while the climate is free from fogs and harsh ocean breezes, making it a most desirable place of residence. It is rapidly increasing in popu- lation, and many new houses are being constantly erected. It is a popular resort for pleasure parties, and has several public gardens, which are largely patronized in summer, the chief of which are Fass- kings', Schutzen and Poschwitz's. Many of the prominent profes- sional and business men of San Francisco have their private homes in Alameda, which has now increased communication with San Fran- cisco and Oakland, by means of the same ferry and railroad, with a branch, which serves Oakland and Brooklyn.
Like the Encinal de Temescal, the Encinal de San Antonio was, in 1850, a wilderness. It, too, had its stock of wild Spanish cattle. When Col. Henry S. Fitch failed in his proposed purchase of the Oak Grove Encinal, on the opposite side of the creek, he turned his atten- tion to Alameda, with the design of securing it.
The slender thread the spider weaves Is like the charmed hopes that hang around man : Though often she sees it torn by the breeze, She spins the bright tissue again.
At the very first opportunity he sought the owner, Antonio Maria Peralta. His tongue and genius soon found him out. Accompanied by an interpreter, he presented himself before the lord of the soil and made known to him his design. The interview resulted in his obtaining from Peralta a written agreement that upon payment of $7,000 he would convey all the land lying westerly of a line drawn from the nearest approach of San Leandro Bay to the nearest water of San Antonio creek, embracing about 2,300 acres of upland. The limit of time allowed for payment of the purchase money was liberal ; but he at once set to work to raise the money. One day while engaged in his anction room in San Francisco, in conversation upon the subject with a gentleman from whom he hoped to obtain the money on the condition of a division of the property after three years, he was over- heard by a gentleman in an adjoining room, who could easily hear everything that was said through the thin cloth and paper walls, then so common. The cautious capitalist required some time to think over
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ALAMEDA TOWN AND TOWNSHIP.
the proposition, and days were allowed to pass. The speculator, full of the desire for possession, was apprehensive that he might be fore- stalled by another; and his worst anticipations were realized one day, when Mr. W. W. Chipman came into his office and stated to him that he and Gideon Aughenbaugh had purchased the place for $14,- 000; at the same time convincing him of the fact by showing him the title papers. He had agreed with Peralta to see the breach of contract with Fitch amicably adjusted, and his errand then was to offer him an interest in the property. Fitch, of course, was surprised. Chipman told him there was nothing better he could do than to join them. There were no courts of law then to be depended upon, and years might pass away before any other conclusion could be come to.
Chipman's argument was good, and the real value of the property was as well understood by Fitch as by Chipman. The result was that Col. Fitch and the Hon. William Sharon, now U. S. Senator from Nevada, purchased a one-fourteenth undivided interest in the Encinal, for the sum of $3,000. Sharon's interest was subsequently conveyed to Col. Fitch, and when divided, became the property known as the "Fitch Tract," and was soon afterwards sold to Chas. L. Fitch, brother of the Colonel, whose family yet hold a portion of the same and reside upon it.
After the brother obtained possession of the tract from the squat- ters (and there were squatters here too, and lots of them), Col. Fitch drew a plan for the survey of the tract into lots and blocks, and the streets have subsequently been extended, in conformity with his plan, to the point of the Encinal. He also named the streets on the tract, which will very likely remain the same for all future time.
Col. Fitch was the first auctioneer who ever held an auction sale in Alameda County. It was a sale of the lots where old Alameda stood. They were five-acre lots, fronting on each side of High street, and belonged to Messrs. Chipman & Aughenbaugh.
The promoters of the Town of Alameda procured an Act of the Legislature, incorporating the town the year after, as Oakland was incorporated, but it does not appear that any town government was organized. The first settlement was near High street, and subse- quently two other towns were laid out-one at the Point, named Woodstock, and another about the center of the Peninsula, named Encinal. Although Alameda did not grow rapidly, it soon became the abode of many prominent citizens, several of whom, as will be noticed in the body of this work, played conspicuous parts in our
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
county affairs, most prominent among whom were General Chipman, Doctor W. P. Gibbons, Doctor Henry Haile, Rev. Mr. Myers, etc. About eighteen years ago, A. A. Cohen purchased a property in Alameda, and, by his energy and enterprise, did more than any- one else to bring the town into prominence, by the establishment of the San Francisco and Alameda Ferry, and the building of the Alameda and Haywards Railroad. Among the other prominent persons who distinguished Alameda by their residence in it, are ex- Governor H. H. Haight, E. B. Mastick, Hon. Henry Robinson, Nathan Porter, General M. G. Cobb, R. H. Magill, etc. Arthur S. Barber, the present Postmaster, is an old resident of the town, and has had charge of Uncle Sam's mails longer than any other man in Alameda County.
In 1869 the town had so far progressed as to demand the publica- tion of a weekly newspaper, and Mr. F. K. Krauth started the Encinal, which has since regularly continued to appear every Satur- day, and through the various vicissitudes consequent to every pub- lication of the kind, has become an established and prosperous insti- tution in Mr. Krauth's hands. In the year 1872 the town was re- incorporated, and embraced the whole township, when the following officers were elected : Town Trustees-H. H. Haight, E. B. Mastick, F. Boehmer, J. Clement, H. Robinson. School Directors-W. P. Gibbons, F. K. Krauth, F. Hess. Town Treasurer-E. A. Smith. Town Assessor-E. Minor Smith.
In 1871 the bridge and highway between Alameda and Oakland was constructed ; and in 1874 the ferry between Alameda and San Francisco was discontinued, and the branch railroad built between Oakland and Alameda. This was an advantage rather than a loss, as it secured more trips per diem and placed the people in more easy communication with Oakland. To add to the traveling facilities be- tween the two Alameda towns, the Alameda and Piedmont-street Railroad was built and put into operation in 1875. All that remains to be done to complete the plan of communication is the construction of a circuitous line around the head of the estuary, via Brooklyn, or the running of all local trains to Fruit Vale or Melrose by the same route, and back to Oakland via the Alameda bridge. This, it is understood, is contemplated by the company, and will be put in operation at an early day.
The superficial area of the Town and Township of Alameda com- prises 2,121 acres, much of which is overflowed land, claimed by
473
ALAMEDA TOWN AND TOWNSHIP.
various parties and included within the southern boundary of the City of Oakland.
On the South side of the town is a small tract of most valuable reclaimed agricultural land, known as Bay Island Farm, to which a costly bridge has lately been constructed by the county. Since the incorporation of the town, it has improved very much in every way. Several streets and avenues have been macadamized in the same manner as those of Oakland and Brooklyn, furnishing delightful drives ; school facilities have been greatly increased ; and in 1875 a splendid new high-school building was erected.
Alameda cast, at the Presidential election of 1876, 482 votes, which indicates a population of 2,892. This, however, is considered a low figure ; estimating by the School Census Marshal's Report, it is over 3,500.
Alameda, in common with Oakland and Brooklyn, will partake of the advantages obtained by the harbor improvement. It is proposed to construct a canal about one mile in length, and 100 feet wide, from Clark's Landing or East Creek, on San Leandro Bay, to the head of the estuary of San Antonio, near the town. Alameda will then be, as it is said to have been originally, an island. This canal will become a site for all kinds of manufactories, which will be a benefit to that town, like the Cordage-factory and the various ore- reducing works now close by.
The climate of Alameda is remarkably mild, and, with the soil, is very favorable to the growth of horticultural products, for which it is noted. Vegetables and small fruits are grown in great abundance, and are always profitable. Last Spring land on Bay Island Farm made for its owner $500 per acre, growing asparagus for the San Francisco market. Alameda, too, is noted for its tomatoes and its oyster-beds.
No person who visits Alameda in the Spring-time can fail to be charmed with the beauty of the scenery, the luxuriance of its ver- dure, and the fullness of its natural ornamentation, as well as the taste displayed in its parks and gardens by their owners. , In Febru- ary the almond trees appear in full bloom ; then come the cherries, whose white blossoms cover acres of ground ; then the plum, the pear, the apple and the quince. Thus the fine floral display is main- tained till the middle of April. Here the fig perfects its fruit with almost unerring certainty, and the orange and the lemon withstand the cold of Winter. Take it all in all, Alameda is one of the most Eessed abodes of men.
474
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
The town government consists of five Trustees, and a Board of School Trustees. The officers are a Town Treasurer and Tax Col- lector, Town Clerk, Town Assessor and Street Superintendent; County Assessor for the township, Justice of the Peace, and two Constables. The public schools are four in number, consisting of the High School, Alameda School, Encinal School, Park Street School and West End School. The churches are the Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal and Catholic. The public halls are the Town Hall, Smith's Hall, Masonic Hall and Odd Fellows' Hall.
The secret societies are : Oak Grove Lodge, No. 215, of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Alameda Chapter, No. 7, of the Order of the Eastern Star; Encinal Lodge, No. 164, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; and Alameda Lodge, No. 385, of Independ- ent Order of Good Templars. The Alameda Encinal is the name of the newspaper-a perfectly indigenous and local title, which no doubt will sound strange to the uninitiated. " Alameda," means an avenue lined with trees, from which the town takes its name ; and " Encinal " means a peninsula. The town has also a Building and Loan Associ- ation. There are two post-offices on the encinal, one at the town of Alameda-which is situated at the base of the peninsula-and one at Encinal street, corner of Webster street and Railroad avenue.
The general complexion of the population is American and Ger- man, and, as in Oakland, many persons reside here who do business in San Francisco.
Alameda Township has eighty-eight persons who pay taxes on over $5,000 worth of property, the highest being for $107,425.
The business part of Alameda is about three miles from the Court- house in Oakland, in a southeasterly direction, and may be reached by steam cars, leaving Broadway station at 7:40, 8:40, 9:40 and 10:40 A. M., and 12:40, 2:40, 4:40, 5:40, 6:40, and, except Sundays, 3:40, 7:40, 8:50 and 12:25 midnight. On Sundays there are special trains, leaving Broadway at 11:40 A. M., 2:10 and 11:10 P. M.
Trains leave Alameda for Oakland and San Francisco, daily, at 7:00, 8:03 and 9:00 A. M., 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:08 and 10:00 P. M .; and, except Sundays, 5:00, 5:40, 10:20 and 11:30 A. M., 12:20, 1:30, 3:20, 7:20, 8:30 P. M .; and on Sundays only, at 10:00, 11:00 A. M., 12:00 and 1:00 P. M.
The fare is $3.00 per month for commutation tickets to San Fran- cisco and Oakland, or twenty cents a single trip to San Francisco, and ten cents to Oakland. The horse-car fare is six and one-fourth cents per trip.
EDEN TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXII.
General Description-Character of the Soil and Products-Climatic Advantages-Towns and Landings-Mexican Ranchos-Creeks and Water Works-Canals-Railroad Stations-First Railroad in the County-Traveling and Freighting Facilities-School Districts-First Settlement - Fate of the Ranchers -William Castro-Unsurpassed Horticultural and Agricultural Advan- tages-County Infirmary -Various Industrial Interests-Agri- cultural Implements-Salt-Making-Fruit-Curing-Coal-Mining -Towns of San Leandro-Haywards-San Lorenzo-Mount Eden-Vote and Population.
Eden is the most central of Alameda townships. It is bounded on the north by Brooklyn, on the east by Contra Costa County and Murray Township, on the south by Washington, and on the west by the bay, and comprises an area of 58,132 acres. Its climate is softer than that of Brooklyn, and fruit grows in great abundance and perfection. It is fortunate, too, in having several sheltered localities, where such tender blossoms as those of the almond are able to withstand the winter frosts. Besides the beautiful plain, of which it forms a part, it has several small mountain valleys, and the Castro, which is the most extensive. Eden has two incorporated towns-San Leandro and Haywards. The former was for over sev- enteen years the county seat. San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Mount Eden are all within about two miles of landings situated on inlets of the bay. Near San Leandro are Wicks' and Anderson's Landings ; near San Lorenzo, Roberts' Landing ; and near Mount Eden, Bar- ron's Landing. The salt industry is extensively carried on along the salt marsh in this township, and the ponds for gathering the brine and evaporating the water are very numerous.
Eden Township embraces the land of five Mexican ranchos, in whole or in part-the Sobrante, on the northeast ; the Estudillo or San Leandro, on the north ; the Castro or San Lorenzo, on the east ;
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
the Soto or San Lorenzito, on the west, and the Vallejo or Alameda, on the south.
Eden Township is watered by the San Leandro and San Lorenzo creeks ; the former rising in the redwood region back of Brooklyn, and supplying the great reservoir of the Contra Costa Water Company of Oakland, situated in the mountains, about two miles from San Leandro, where a dam has been built at great expense, and a lake several miles long created. This reservoir supplies the Town of San Leandro, through which water pipes are laid and hydrants placed, as well as the whole of the City of Oakland, about 12 miles distant. The San Lorenzo creek has also good facilities, and years ago a company was organ- ized to utilize them. It finds its source in the mountains close to the Contra Costa line, and meanders leisurely through Cull Canon, and passes by the Town of Haywards, on its northen side, and the Town of San Lorenzo, two miles distant, on its southern side, emp- tying into the bay at Roberts' Landing, which is five miles from the county line, in the center of the bay of San Francisco.
There are three short canals or channels in the sloughs, a few miles apart, named, respectively, Mulford's Canal, at Wick's Land- ing ; the Estudillo Canal, a little further south ; and the San Lorenzo Canal at Roberts' Landing. Eden or Barron's Landing is entered through a very tortuous channel from Union City Slough, in Wash- ington Township, further north.
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