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 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
The Central Pacific Railroad passes through Eden Township, and has stations at San Leandro, and near San Lorenzo and Hay- wards.
The first railroad in the county was from Alameda to Haywards, but having become incorporated with the Central Pacific, that com- pany took up the track in 1873; but the facilities furnished by the C. P. R. R. Co. are sufficient for passenger traffic. Most of the freight traffic is carried on by the cheaper accommodations furnished by the small bay steamers at the various landings.
The Township has eight school districts, and forms the Third Super- visor District.
The first settlement of Eden Township dates from 1837, when the Estudillo family settled near San Leandro creek, about two miles from the present Town of San Leandro; then came the Castros and Sotos immediately after. The names of some of the first American settlers have been already mentioned in this work.
The greater portion of the Estudillo rancho ultimately fell into the
477
EDEN TOWNSHIP.
hands of Theoflore Leroy, of San Francisco, as agent, and of the Castro rancho into the hands of F. D. Atherton, of San Mateo, on account of money advances. William Castro left the country some years ago and went to South America, where he died ; but the Estu- dillo family retain a considerable portion of their original patrimony. Our respected County Surveyor, Luis Castro, is the son of the orig- inal grantee of the San Lorenzo rancho. Of course there has been a vast amount of litigation connected with all these estates.
The agricultural and horticultural advantages of Eden Township are unsurpassed anywhere. The soil is being annually enriched by the overflow of the creeks and the sediment washed down from the mountains. It is difficult to distinguish one part of it from another, but it may be said that at San Lorenzo culminates the full tide of its richness, and a finer farm than that of William Meek it is difficult to find in any land. Thousands upon thousands of fruit trees, of every variety, from the apple to the apricot, from the pear to the almond and orange, here flourish in health and vigor ; while small fruits, such as the cherry, currant, blackberry, &c., are in abundance. Of currants alone there are 400 to 500 acres in the township.
The County Infirmary is situated in Eden, about midway between San Leandro and Haywards. Connected with it is a farm of 124 acres.
To fully describe the many advantages, resources and beauties of this wonderful township would of itself require a volume. Its various industrial interests, however, may be classified as follows : First, horticultural ; second, agricultural ; third, stock-raising ; fourth, manufacturing ; fifth, salt-making; sixth, coal-mining.
The quantity of fruit and vegetables sent to market from Eden, every year, is very great. One of the foremost nurseries in the State is that of Eli Lewelling, at San Lorenzo. Every portion of the township, except the rough hills, seems adapted to the growth of fruits, vegetables and grain. There are many Portuguese in the township, who occupy small farms 'and thrive abundantly, and are found to be reliable farm hands. While a good deal of stock is raised in Eden, it is not a specialty, although in past years a strong effort was made to make it so. The manufacturing interests of the township are considerable. The Sweepstake Plow Factory, at San Leandro, is one of the most important in the State, and gives steady employment to many men, thus greatly promoting the prosperity of the town.
478
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
The agricultural works of Henry Smyth, at San Lorenzo, are also extensive; and the straw-burning engine manufactory of Mr. Rice, at Haywards, had, before its removal to San Francisco, acquired a celebrity all over the State. The salt-makers are most numerous in the vicinity of Mount Eden, and Captain John Chisholm has long been engaged in the business near San Lorenzo.
A few years since a number of the fruit-growers of Eden formed a joint stock company and established the first Alden fruit-drying establishment on the coast. For some cause, or perhaps a combina- tion of causes, and although Chinese cheap labor was employed, the enterprise has not proved a success. The factory is in San Lorenzo.
The coal-mining interest has not yet made muchprogress. Several mines have been opened and partially worked ; but at present opera- tions are suspended.
Although Eden has no college nor seminary, its educational facili- ties are first-class. The Union School at San Leandro is one of the best in the State.
The incorporated town of San Leandro is undoubtedly one of the prettiest, most desirable and best managed in the State. Its streets are kept in good order, its houses are of an excellent class, and its taxes light. Its Ward avenue is about a mile long, leading up to the foothills, and lined all the way with trees, providing a beautiful drive. Its people are exceedingly sociable and harmonious. It is well supplied with churches and schools, and the best of order is maintained.
San Leandro has a Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodge, and a branch of the Portuguese Benevolent Society.
Near San Leandro is a Portuguese hamlet named Chicken Lane, the people of which make a livelihood by raising vegetables and poultry.
Haywards is situated some six miles from San Leandro, in a south- easterly direction, and is a beautiful and flourishing little town. On account of the charm of its situation and the salubrity of its climate, it is a desirable summer resort for city folks. The hotels are good, and the people hospitable. The city of San Francisco, with its thousands of gas-lamps, is visible at night, and in daylight the eye can roam over a large extent of country. Haywards has a population close upon one thousand. Via Haywards are the best roads leading to Contra Costa County, Mount Diablo, and the Amador and Livermore valleys. Three passenger-trains pass Haywards every day, going west to Oak- land; and three going east and south.
479
EDEN TOWNSHIP.
San Lorenzo is a place of about 250 inhabitants, and one of the most beautiful horticultural villages anywhere to be found. It is a mass of orchards and gardens, with fine roads and good drives.
Mount Eden gets its name from an elevation in the plain on which it is situated, but there is no mountain. It is an agricultural village, with a population mostly German.
Eden Township cast 734 votes for Presidential Electors in 1876, from which the population may be estimated at 4,404.
Aughenbaugh Blackberry.
480
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
GREAT REDUCTIONS! OAKLAND FUR AND CLOAK STORE.
W. E. SLATE, 1013 BROADWAY, OAKLAND,
BEGS to inform the ladies of Oakland and Alameda that, owing to his ability to buy for cash, he is en- abled to place in the market Cloth and Waterproof Misses' and Children's Cloaks. also, Braios, Cords, and Cloak Ornaments, House Jackets, etc., etc.,
AT GREATLY REDUCED FIGURES.
Cloth and Velvet Cloaks made to order, under the im- mediate supervision of Mrs. F. SLATE.
FUR DEPARTMENT. SWEEPING REDUCTIONS in Fur Trimmings and Mink and Sable Goods of all kinds. Beaver Cloaks, Fur Lined, $10.
SEALSKIN CLOAKS made to order, a specialty.
REPAIRING AND CLEANING in the neatest manner Highest Prices Paid for Raw Furs.
CHAS. C. OLNEY. JAMES N. OLNEY.
OLNEY & CO.
Real Estate Agents AND AUCTIONEERS.
J. O. ELDRIDGE ( Of H. M. NEWHALL & Co.) Auctioneer.
OFFICES :
No. 857 Broadway, cor. 7th St., Oakland. | No. 219 Sansome Street, San Francisco -
SAN FRANCISCO AUCTION SALESROOM :
At H. M. Newhall & Co's, Nos. 309, 311 and 313 Sansome St.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
General Description-Remarkable Features-The Salt Marsh-Sloughs and Landings-Salt Works-The Alameda and Other Creeks- Products of the Soil-Potato Crops of 1852 and 1853-Allowed to Rot on the Ground-A Cargo Endangered the Safety of a Hulk-Settlers Paying Twice for their Land-Wild Cattle -- Cat- tle Thieves Lynched-Escape of Tom Gear-Highest and Lowest Market Quotations for Flour, Wheat, Barley and Oats, from 1851 to 1856-Great Fluctuations-A Good Market-Grape Culture -Wine-Making at the Mission-Favorable Conditions-Acres of - Grapes in the County-Brandy Distillation-Value of Grape Land in Europe and California-Early Fruits and Vegetables- Green Peas in February-Sheep Pasture-Improvement of the Grain Crop-Various Resources and Industries-Washington Towns and Railroad Stations-Alvarado, Centreville, Washington Corners, Mission San Jose, Niles, Decota-Washington College -The Independent Newspaper-Mormon Chapel-Warm Springs -- Peacock's-Conglomerate Population-An Alameda Patriarch -Adobe Houses Standing-Floral Display-E. L. Beard-Niles Junction-J. J. Vallejo-Lony Bridge-Coal Deposits-Fine Houses-Decoto-Vote and Population-Proposed Pioneers' Meeting, d.c.
Washington Township is the oldest in the county in point of set- tlement, as here, in 1797, was established the Mission of San José. For several years it exercised the controlling influence in county matters, and was the first to receive a considerable number of per- manent settlers and tillers of the soil. It originally formed a portion of Santa Clara County.
On the north it is bounded by Eden, on the south by the northern line of Santa Clara, on the west by the bay, and on the east by Mur- ray. Its dimensions, north to south, are eleven miles ; east to west, twelve miles, and along the railroad, eight miles. Its superficial area
31
482
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
is 68,066 acres, and, with the exception of Murray, is the largest township in the county. Mission Peak, the culminating point of the Contra Costa range, attains a height of 2,275 feet, presenting, with its angular outlines, a grand back-ground to the intervening land- scape. From the peak a fine view is obtained of San José, Oakland, and the city and Bay of San Francisco, with the San Mateo Moun- tains immediately opposite. The next object of natural curiosity, and almost wonder, is the Alameda Canon, through which the creek meanders and the railroad winds its tortuous way. The mountains rise in places almost as perpendicular as walls, many hundreds of feet high.
In regard to soil and climate, it is very similar to Eden, possessing the same topographical features-having a marsh frontage on the bay, and rising up into mountains. This township is remarkable for its old mission, its warm springs, its great Alameda cañon, through which passes the Central Pacific Railroad ; the Alameda river, which has given its name to the county ; its Old Mission Pass, which was the first road to the mines in early days; its first county-seat, at Alva- rado; its excellent landing, at Dumbarton Point; its new narrow-gauge railroad, its salt works on the margin of the bay ; its vineyards and wine manufactories, its excellent stock, and its extensive salt marsh, now undergoing reclamation.
Washington is divided into ten school districts, and forms the second supervisor district. The salt marsh comprises about 20,000 acres, and is entered by several sloughs and creeks upon which land- ings are established. At Alvarado the Alameda creek empties its waters into an extensive slough, stretching far into the bay, and through which a very tortuous channel is formed. It is known as the Union City slough. Alvarado has been known by three separate names-New Haven, Union City and Alvarado; hence the name. There are also Coyote Hill slough, Beard's slough, Mowry's slough, and Mud Creek slough. On Coyote Hill slough is Alviso's Landing ; on Beard's creek, Mayhew's Landing ; near Point Potrero, or Dum- barton Point, is what was known as Green Point Landing, now the terminus of the Dumbarton, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Railroad. An extensive wharf is here built into the deepest water of any land- ing along the southern portion of the Bay and a good road leading to it. A little south of Green Point, or Dumbarton Landing, is Mow- ry's Landing. The next landing, the most southerly in the county, is the Warm Springs Landing. The principal salt works along the
483
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
salt marsh are the Union Pacific, near the Union City slough ; Quig- ley's, near Barron's Landing ; and Plummer's Crystal Salt Works, near Mayhew's Landing. The low land bordering the bay, between the Coyote slough and Mayhew's Landing, is conspicuous for a range of hills or mounds that run along close to its edge. These are known as the Coyote hills.
The Alameda creek is the only one that runs through the whole breadth of the township, from the mountains to the bay. There are a number of smaller creeks, such as the Sanjon de los Alisis, the Segunda or Dry creek, the Mission creek, the Agua Caliente, the Agua Fria, the Calaveras, and Lone Tree creek ; the latter on the Santa Clara boundary line.
Grain is grown generally over the country, barley and oats on the low lands, and wheat on the uplands. Some corn is grown too, as well as hay and hops. The latter are grown to advantage in the vicinity of Alvarado, where, also, sugar beets, onions and potatoes produce good crops. The onion is a particular favorite of this local- ity and is extensively cultivated, the crop in the whole county being nearly as extensive as that of the potato.
In early days potatoes were raised in the township in great abund- ance, until they became a drug. In 1851 Beard & Horner bought the Alvarado ranch and went into the cultivation of them. The part they enclosed was that now owned by the Haleys. In 1852 their crop averaged 200 sacks to the acre, and sold for upwards of $100,- 000. The following year everybody cultivated them, and there was a plethora. Down in the Pajaro valley 20,000 sacks were one day bet on a horse race. Messrs. Beard & Horner made contracts for the disposal of theirs in advance ; they sold them for two and two and a half cents per pound, to the San Francisco commission merchants- Brigham, Garrison and others. Garrison took a million pounds of them ; they were never removed, and were allowed to rot on the ground, in consequence of the low price, caused by the great abund- ance of the crop. The firm of Saunders & Co. purchased a large quantity of them, which they stowed away in a hulk in the bay. The warm weather coming on, they commenced growing and threat- ened to burst the vessel open, when the owners ordered them to be removed. They commenced dumping them into the bay at San Fran- cisco, but the Harbor Master interfered and stopped it, necessitating the expense of removal to some other locality.
Most of the first settlers had to pay twice for their land, for the
484
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
land-grabbers and black-mailers were, even then, quite busy. The Mission ranch, on which the early settlers took up land, was declared to be government land by the commission at Washington, after many had paid private parties for their claim to it, through Andreas Pico and Alvarado. The firm of Pioche & Biurque laid their paws on a large lot of it.
The wild cattle roamed about threateningly. In the morning the vast herd would be at the bay, at noon at the Alameda creek, and at night they would move back to the bay. These cattle were mostly the property of Vallejo, and they were soon thinned out in the same manner as Peralta's were in Oakland. There was a noted gang of cattle-thieves around the Mission, named the Tom Gear gang, who would run cattle off to the mines and sell them to the butchers. They plied their vocation profitably until they were caught, and some of them hung. Two of them, named respectively Hill and Harris, were taken down to the Willows and lynched. It has been asserted that in the matter of guilt some of the executors were as bad as the executed, and several found it convenient afterwards to take their departure. Gear left the locality and settled in San Joaquin County, where he has ever since kept quiet and remained unmolested.
It will be interesting here to state the market value of agricultural products in those days, and show how the toil of our agricultural pioneers was rewarded. The following figures were taken from the San Francisco Price Current and Shipping List : In January, 1861, the highest price for flour per 200 Ibs. was $16, and $10 in March, and several months following; in 1862, flour reached as high as $35.50 in December, while in February it was only $9.37 ; in 1853, it was $26 in January, and $8.50 in November; in 1854, it was $10.25 in January, and $5.75 in February ; in 1855, it was $10 in February, and $6 in May ; in 1856, it was $11.50 in May, and $6.87 in December, exhibiting some of the greatest fluctuations ever known. Wheat, in December, 1852, was 114c. per lb., and in the April pre- vious, 4c. ; in January, 1853, it was 83c., and in May, 2}c. ; in Jan- uary, 1854, it was 43c., and in October, 12c. ; in December, 1855, it was 3c., and in June of the same year, Ifc. ; in June, 1856, it was 4gc., and in October 2}c. Barley, in December, 1851, brought 6}c., and in June 43c. ; in February, 1852, it was 73c., and in May, 22c .; in February, 1853, it was 32c., and in July, Igc. ; in August, 1854, it was 22c., and in July, le .; in December, 1855, it was 23c., and in April, 11c. ; in April, 1856, it was 32c., and in August, 17c.
485
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Oats, in December, 1851, were worth 6c. per Ib., and in January, 3c. ; in February, 1852, 8}c., and in June, 23c. ; in January, 1853, 4c., and in August, 1}c. ; in January, 1854, 32c., and in October, ląc. ; in January, 1855, 23c., and in June, 12c. ; in May, 1856, 4 }c., and in August, 2}c. The flour mostly in the market at first was Chili, and until 1854 the bulk of the grain was imported, so that those who raised the domestic article were sure of a good remuner- ative market, and our farmers made money.
Washington is the only township in the county where the grape is cultivated to advantage, and the hill-sides between Niles and the Santa Clara line, including the Mission and Warm Springs region, is one of the surest grape districts in the State, and several hundred acres are regularly cultivated by Messrs. Beard, Ellsworth, Palmer, Cook, McClure, Sigrist, the Mission, Stanford, Millard and others. Beard and Ellsworth make no wine, but sell their grapes ; Joseph F. Palmer has the best and most extensive winery in the county, his vaults being substantial and capacious, and possessing storage room for about 100,000 gallons of various brands. Governor Stanford, at Warm Springs, is the next in extent to Mr. Palmer, making 45,000 to 50,000 gallons, annually. The Mission range of hills, from the 400 to the 500-foot level, is free from the injurious effects of Spring frosts, and the grape never suffers from it. The sun's rays reach it gradually over the mountain top, thus avoiding the effects of a sud- den contact of the heat with the frost on the vines, which is the cause of their destruction. Mr. Palmer purchased the Peak Vine- yard, in 1852, and commenced with 10,000 vines, from cuttings re- ceived from France, Spain, &c. In 1874 he had 140,000 vines, of which 10,000 only were of the Mission variety ; and this number has since been considerably increased, it being Mr. Palmer's desire to raise his production to 100,000 gallons per annum. Mr. P. aims to keep two-thirds of his vintage in cellar for five years, thus increasing its quality and enhanching its value. The price of wine at the vaults is from 50 cents to $2.50, according to age and quality.
Stanford, at Warm Springs, has nearly 100,000 vines, 60,000 of which are bearing ; and in 1875 he made about 50,000 gallons of wine. The farm consists of one square mile, or 660 acres. Besides the grape, various kinds of fruits are cultivated, including the orange. The wine-vaults contain 50,000 gallons. The Warm Springs pro- perty, besides the land mentioned, contains in improvements two wine-cellars, a group of nine buildings, most of them of a superior order, formerly used for hotel purposes.
486
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
Nearly all the farmers in Washington Township grow more or less grapes, and the aggregate must amount to considerable. The Assessor's report for 1876, however, only gives us 1,125 acres in the whole county ; but the great bulk of this acreage is in Washington Township. Besides the wine product, 3,000 gallons of brandy were made at Mission San José.
The value of good grape land may be judged when it is under- stood that some vineyards in France and on the Rhine command a value of $4,000 per acre. The average product to the acre is 220 gallons. In California, the best vineyards are only worth from $150 to $200 per acre, while the production of grapes is greatly superior. In France, there is one year of failure in every ten. It is considered that our worst years are equal to their best. The grapes raised about the Mission and Warm Springs are considered of very superior quality, and there are 4,000 acres of land eminently suitable for their cultivation.
The neighborhood of Warm Springs is favorable to the growth of early fruits and vegetables. In February the first green peas are shipped to San Francisco from the farm of Henry Curtner. They are the first in that market, except those raised in Alameda, and gen- erally bring a good price.
In the mountains, back of Warm Springs and the Mission, the country is very rough, and is a good deal used for sheep pasture, and several persons about the Mission are extensively engaged in sheep- raising, the principal one among whom is the Post-master, Mr. Cham- berlain. There are 56,695 sheep in the county, most of them find- ing pasturage in the Mission and Livermore hills.
The grain crop in the Warm Springs region is improving. For- merly it was not good, but it is said to improve from year to year, until now, on Millard's and Peacock's ranches, the yield is 20 to 24 bags of wheat and 40 of barley to the acre.
. There are some considerable grain-growers in Washington Town- ship, but it would oecupy too much space to recapitulate them.
Storehouses have of late years been built at various points along the railroad, to receive the crop.
Washington figures conspicuously in the nursery business, Shinn's and Clough's nurseries being well known throughout the State. In the way of stock, John Hall, near Alvarado, stands conspicuous ; while in sheep-breeding, Blacow and Severance & Pete are famous for their Merinos. With the exception of the stove foundry, at Al-
487
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
varado, Mckeown's Agricultural works, in the same place ; the Alden Fruit Drying works, at Centreville; Crowell and Rix's shops, at Washington Corners ; Aylward and Bergman's shops, at the Mis- sion ; and the flour mill, at Niles, there is little to refer to in the way of manufactures, unless the various salt works are included. The material interests of Washington Township may be classed in the following order :
First-agricultural ; second-horticultural ; third-stock-raising ; fourth-sheep-raising ; fifth-salt-making ; sixth-manufacturing ; seventh-wine-making ; eighth-storing and forwarding; ninth- mercantile ; tenth-fruit-preserving.
The towns of Washington are much of a size, but Alvarado has the advantage, having been the first county seat, possessing a good landing, with several warehouses, a stove foundry, and formerly (for two or three years) a beet-sugar factory. The other towns are Cen- treville, Washington and Mission San José. Niles is the junction of the San Jose and Central Pacific Railroad. The other railroad sta- tions are Decoto, Washington and Harrisburg. What stations the narrow-guage, or Dumbarton company, may establish, is not yet ascertained.
Alvarado is a good deal in the marsh, but its good landings, ex- tensive store-houses, steamers and schooners, its rich agricultural sur- roundings and splendid vegetable lands, compensate for this disad- vantage. Its people, as a rule, constitute a cultured class, and have churches, schools, societies and libraries. There is an Odd Fellows' and a Good Templars' Lodge, a Catholic and two Protestant churches. At Alvarado the Alameda creek is deep, and can be navigated a short distance, for a light class of craft.
Among the features of Alvarado may be mentioned its artesian wells, one of which, that of Captain Barrow, probably flows more water than any well in the State, the stream having a body of about eight inches square. Alvarado has a good hotel, a post-office, express office, and several good stores. The population may be set down at 500.
Centreville is a road-side town, a few miles south of Alvarado, in the midst of a fine horticultural and agricultural region. It is mid- way between railroad communication at Washington and Decoto, both about three miles distant, and Dumbarton Point, where steam- boat facilities will soon be furnished. The population is somewhat less than that of Alvarado. Here is a fruit-drying factory, the sci-
488
HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY.
entific collection of Dr. Alonzo G. Yates, several good stores, a couple of hotels, a harness shop, a post-office and express office, drug store, a blacksmith and machinist's shop, a tinsmith's shop, two or three shoemakers, a dentist, notary public, justice of the peace, two physi- cians, two clergymen, a dressmaker, and several saloons.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.