California Genealogy and History Archives

Alameda County History

Past and Present of Alameda County California
Joseph Baker, Editor, Volume I, Illustrated
Chicago, The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company 1914 

CONTENTS

Chapter I - Under Spain And Mexico-Discovery Of The Bay Of San Francisco-The Portola Expedition-The Expedition Of Captain Bautista-The First Settlement At Mission San Jose-The Expedition Of 1775-The Establishment Of The Missions-The Liberation Of The Indians-The Indians Of Contra Costa-The Presidio-The Native Californians......P 7

Chapter Ii - Spanish And Mexican Land Grants-The Early Land Grants And Ranchos-The Peralta Grant-The Peralta Family-Early Hispano-Mexican Families-Table Of Land Claims.....P 27

Chapter Iii - The American Settlers-The Advent Of Jedediah S. Smith-The Coming Of The Americans-The First American Settlers-The Transformation From Rancho To Farm -The Squatters-The Litigation-"The Pre-Emptioner's League"-The Redwoods-Villages Are Founded.....P 41

Chapter Iv - The Water Front Conveyance-The Ordinance For The Disposal Of Oakland's Water Front-The Citizens' Riot-Formation Of The Oakland Water Front Company-Years Of Water Front Litigation-The State Becomes The Owner Of The Water Front-Water Front Improvements-Final Settlement Is Reached.....P 55

Chapter V - Transportation-The First Railroad-The First Ferries-The First Street Railway-Traffic Between The East Side Of The Bay And San Francisco Becomes Heavy-Many Franchises Are Granted-The Piedmont Cable Road Is Completed-Electric Roads Are Rapidly Built-Interurban Electric Railroads Are Constructed-The Various Street Railways Are Consolidated-The Entry Of The Western Pacific Railroad-Great Improvements Planned And Carried Out .....P 75

Chapter Vi - The County Board-Alameda County Is Created-The First County Officials Are Chosen­alvarado, The First County Seat-San Leandro Becomes The County Seat-The Creation Of The County Board Of Supervisors-Early Transactions Of The Board-Public Highways Are Constructed-Financial Condition Of The County In 1872-Oakland Becomes The County Seat-The Erection Of The County Buildings-The County Debt In 1880-Anti-Chinese Agitation-The Salt Industry-Alameda County Is Represented At The Chicago World's Fair, 1893- Immigration Is Encouraged-Many Public Improvements Are Made-An Era Of Rapid Growth And Development-Alameda County Is Awarded Medals At The St. Louis World's Fair, 1904-The Earthquake Of 1906-Financial Condition In 1907-Population In 1910-The Present.....P 89

Chapter Vii - The Harbor, Webster Street Bridge, Etc.-Early Harbor Improvements-The Oakland Harbor Improvement Company-Progress Is Made-The Deep Water Improvements-The Webster Street Bridge-The Eighth Street Bridge.....P 121

Chapter Viii - Military Affairs-The First Military Company-The Outbreak Of The Civil War-The First California Volunteer Regiment Comes Into Life-The Oakland Guard Is Formed-Other Home Guard Companies Are Organized-Alameda County Contributes Liberally To The Union Cause-Alameda County Companies In The National Guard Of California-G. A. R. Posts In Alameda County-Annual Meeting Of The G. A. R. In 1886-Alameda County In The Spanish-American War-The Patriotic Sons Of Alameda..... P 129

Chapter Ix - Health And Disease, Medicine, Etc.-The Alameda County Medical Association-The County Infirmary Is Established-The First Board Of Health-Sanitary Conditions Are Improved-The Death Rate-The Oakland General Hospital-The Oakland College Of Physicians And Surgeons Is Founded-The New Merritt Hospital Is Opened-Recapitulation.....P 143

Chapter X - The Courts, Bench And Bar, Etc.-The Creation Of The Courts-Early Claims And Law Suits-Early Criminal Acts-Early County Officials-Sheriff Morse-Attorneys Practicing In The Early Day Courts-Organization Of The Bar Associations-Later Day Civil And Criminal Cases-Later Day Judges And Attorneys-The Juvenile Court Comes Into Existence-The Legal Profession Of Today.....P 157

Chapter Xi - Farming, Fruit-Growing, Stock-Raising, Etc.-The Four Periods Of Agricultural Development-Formation Of The Alameda County Agricultural Society-The Immense Grain Fields Of The Sixties And Seventies-The Grape Comes Into Its Own-The Livermore Valley Vineyards-Thousands Of Acres Are Planted To Orchard-The Fruit-Growers Union Is Organized-Alameda County Becomes Famous As A Grower Of Fruit-The Beet Sugar Industry-Apricots And Cherries-Precautions Against Pests-Alameda, The County Beautiful .....P 177

Chapter Xii - Politics-Early Political Parties, Conventions And Elections-The Campaign Of 1875-The Anti-Chinese Movement-Later Conventions And Elections -The Introduction Of The Australian System Of Voting-Woman Suffrage Becomes An Issue-The Municipal League-The Water Question-The Present Day Political Situation.....P 193

Chapter Xiii - Women's Work, Temperance, Philanthropy, Suffrage, Etc.-The Organization Of The Oakland Ladies' Relief Society-The Foundation Of The Ebell Society-Other Early Women's Societies-Kindergartens Are Established-Homes And Other Charitable Institutions Are Founded-Birth Of The Society Of Associated Charities-Activities Of The Woman's Christian Temperance Union-The Campaign For Woman's Suffrage-The Progress Of Settlement Work.....P 247     

Chapter Xiv - Art, Literature, Etc.-Alameda County Early Becomes A Mecca For Artists-Artists Of The Early Days-Early Musical Clubs And Societies-Early Art Exhibits­alameda Singers Become World Famous-Joaquin Miller-William Keith-The Midwinter Exposition-The Starr King Fraternity-Musical, Art And Literary Societies Of The Present Day.....P 263

Chapter Xv - Amusements, Lodges, Societies, Games, Etc.-Bullfights, Horse Races And Fandangos-Early Lodges And Secret Societies-The Organization Of The Alameda County Pioneers Association -Baseball Teams Of The Seventies-Horse Racing Is Popular-Other Amusements Of The Early Day-The Tuolumne Reunions-Baseball Becomes The Popular Sport-The California Jockey Club-Famous Horses That Raced At Pleasanton-The First Automobile Races-The Development Of Athletics At The University Of California.....P 275

Chapter Xvi - Education-The First Schoolhouse-The Early Schools-The First School Commissioners-Academies And Convents-Annual School Report Of 1861-Later Day Schools, Academies, Colleges, Convents And Institutions- School Census Of 1885-The Alameda County Teachers' Institute-Playgrounds Are Established-Schools Of The Present Day-The University Of California-The University Is Established-The Site Is Selected-The First Session-The University Grows-The Benard Plan Of Building Extension-New Buildings Erected Under The Benard Plan-University Extension Work Is Undertaken-The University Colleges-The Degrees Conferred-Higher Instruction-The University In Athletics-The University Recognized As One Of The Foremost In The United States.....P 287

Chapter Xvii - Religion-The First American Church-The Early Churches-Revival Meetings Of The Early Days-The Young Men's Christian Association-The Present Day Churches And Religious Activity .....P 311

Chapter Xviii - Alameda-The Day Of The Ranchos-The First Frame Dwelling House-The Town Grows-The Early Citizens-The Town Of Alameda Is Incorporated-The First Ferry Begins Operations-Real Estate Operations-Public Improvements-The Alameda Improvement Association-Financial­the New Charter-The City Of Today.....P 323

Chapter Xix - Berkeley-Ocean View-The University Is Established-West Berkeley-Early Public Improvements-Schools Are Established-Real Estate Transactions Of The Period-The One Mile Limit-Berkeley Grows Rapidly-Many Beautiful Homes Are Erected-Extensive Public Improvements Are Planned And Executed-The City Enjoys A Wholesome Real Estate Boom-The City Under The New Charter-Berkeley, The City Beautiful.....P 343

Chapter Xx - Oakland-The First Settler-Those That Followed-The Squatters And The Trouble That Ensued-The First Hotel-A Duel Is Fought-The Origin Of The Fire Department-The First Newspaper Is Published-"An Act To Incorporate The City Of Oakland"-Early Public Improvements-The Population Doubles-Financial Statement, 1871-72-The Free Library Is Organized-Sites Are Purchased And Public Buildings Erected-The City Boundaries Are Extended-The Early Press Of Oakland-The City Enjoys A Period Of Rapid Growth And Development‑Value Of City Property In 1878-Important Industrial Concerns Of 1883-The "Greater Oakland" Movement-The Carnegie Library Is Dedicated-The Oakland Clearing House Goes Into Operation-Clearing House Summary And Bank Statements-Building Permits Of 1905-06-Many Public Improvements Are Made-The New Charter Goes Into Effect-The New City Hall-The Oakland Of Today.....P 355

Chapter Xx - con't

Chapter Xxi - The Smaller Cities And Towns-Livermore-Pleasanton-Sunol-Dougherty-Dublin-Other Towns Of The Eastern Part Of The County-The Towns Of Washington Township- Niles - Centerville - Newark - Alvarado -Irvington­decoto-Mission San Jose-Warm Springs-Hayward-San Leandro­san Lorenzo-Mount Eden-Piedmont-Emeryville-Albany-Richmond.....P  441  

Biographies

A Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California

Chicago, Lewis Publ. Co., 1891