History of Alameda County, California, including its geology, topography, soil, and productions

Preface

After a year of incessant labor the History of Alameda County is now presented to our patrons. From the outset of the undertaking we have given the public to understand that the volume should contain naught but a plain and unvarnished record, as far as it was within our power to obtain, of the chief doings in Alameda, which have been instrumental in placing her in the proud position among the other counties of California which she holds to-day.

To do this has been no easy task, yet, if the task has been laborious, it still has been a toil in which we have received much kind and valuable assistance.

To the pioneer settlers the following pages should be found most interesting, relating as they do the experiences gained in a new country; while the volume, as a whole, should be cherished by their children, embodying as it does the tale of hardships endured by their sires.

In the history of the city of Oakland we have been especially careful that little that is interesting should lie left out; the chronicles of its early days, though lengthy, will be found replete with much valuable information.

In conclusion we would here tender our best thanks to those who aided us with appropriate suggestions and valuable information. To the gentlemen of the Oakland journals, the Tribune anA Times; to Mr. Bartlett of the Livermore Herald aaA to Frank Moffitt of the Newark, EnUrprise are our thanks due for many kind notices and several other courtesies ; while we owe a delfl: of gratitude to the officials of the county and city — one and all — for making easy the task of gathering notes from the records, when it would otherwise have been most tedious and difficult.

Mr. D. D. Faganhadan interest in the publication of this work, and during the most of the time of his connection with the firm was active in procuring subscriptions.

Our work has gone far beyond the limits originally intended, thereby necessitating much extra expense. But if what has been done finds favor with the community, then our undertaking shall not have been in vain.

M. W. Wood.

J. P. Munro-Fraser,

I/istoria^i.

Geography ....

Area

Geology and Mineralogy

Contra Costa Hills

Monte Diablo Group

Monte Diablo

Climatography

Soil and Productions

Pomology

Salt-making

Earthquakes

Aborigines

Early History

The Bear Flag

Legislative History

Organization of Alameda County

Original Boundary of Contra Costa County. . .

Creation of Alameda County

Original Boundary of Alameda County

Present Boundary of Alameda County

Senatorial Districts

Congressional Districts

Judicial Districts

Court of Sessions

Original Township Boundaries

Contra Costa

Clinton 171,

Eden 171,

Washington 171,

Murray 171,

Present Township Boundaries

Alameda

Brooklyn

Eden

Murray

Washington

Board of Supervisors

Election Precincts

Road Districts

School Districts

Political History

Military Government

Constitutional Convention

San Jos6 made State Capital

Members of First Legislature

Senators

Assemblymen

Governor Burnett assumes office

State Capital removed

Political History prior to 1853

Oilman (Twelfth Street) Bridge 191,

The Records

1857. 1858. 1859.

24 31 32

34 36 37 39 40

Page

Table of Taxation 287

Table of County Officers 288

El Valle de San Jos(5 297

San Ramon 297

El Sobrante 308

Table of Land Claims 333

Table of Ranches 335

Criminal History 336

1853 338

■••■ 341

.. 353

1881, 1882

Alameda Township Geography

369 371