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Early Alameda History

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Early Alameda History

Early History of Alameda

Ohlone Indian Inhabitants
Alameda, a 2,200-acre peninsula, was inhabited for nearly 3,500 years by a branch of the Ohlone Indians.
The Peralta Land Grant
In 1820, Luis Peralta received a 35-square-mile land grant that included parts of El Cerrito, Berkeley, Albany, Oakland, Piedmont, and Alameda. This land was later divided among his four surviving sons, with Antonio Maria Peralta receiving all of Alameda and much of Oakland.
Alameda History

Settlement and Early Development

Arrival of Chipman and Aughinbaugh
In 1850, William Worthington Chipman arrived in San Francisco via Panama. He became friends and business partners with Gideon Aughinbaugh.
Purchase of The Encinal
In October 1851, Chipman and Aughinbaugh purchased 160 acres of land known as "the Encinal," located east of Versailles Street to San Leandro Bay, from Antonio Peralta for $14,000.
Formation of Alameda's Communities
Alameda consisted of three separate communities:

"Old Alameda"

"The Encinal" (situated along the shore of San Antonio Creek, also known as the Estuary)

"Woodstock" (located on the west end)

Diverse Settler Population
The area was always diverse, with settlers from around the world. They came to farm, build the Transcontinental Railroad (1869), and contribute to all industries in the growing community.
Incorporation of Alameda
In 1853, residents chose the name Alameda, and by 1872, the three communities were incorporated under one charter.

Infrastructure and Transportation Growth

Educational and Urban Development
In 1874, Alameda established its first high school and began a project to separate the peninsula from Oakland, which was completed in 1902.
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Bridges and Connectivity
  • Bay Farm Island Connection: A wooden cantilever bridge (built in 1874) connected Bay Farm Island’s 30 residents to 1,800 acres at low tide and only 300 at high tide.
  • Estuary Crossing: The first bridge across the Estuary at Webster Street (built in 1871) was replaced in 1900 and again in 1926 by the Posey Tube.
Rail and Ferry Services

Rail and ferry services were crucial to Alameda’s development.

  • Alameda Pier: Built in 1884, it later became the transportation hub for rail to ferries, known as the “mole,” when the Central and Southern Pacific railroads merged in 1894.
  • Shipbuilding: During World War I, shipbuilding took off, led by the Moore, Bethlehem Steel, and Todd companies.

Recreation and Cultural Attractions

Resorts and Entertainment

Alameda was a popular destination for recreation and sporting events, with resorts along the coastline offering “baths” for swimming, giant amusement centers, ballrooms, and saloons.

  • Terrace Baths: Opened in 1870.
  • Cottage Baths: Opened in 1893 and attracted celebrities like Ethel Barrymore, Al Jolson, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Jack London.
  • Neptune Gardens: The largest resort, gained fame under John G. Croll’s ownership in 1915, attracting thousands on weekends with events like boxing matches featuring John L. Sullivan and Jim Corbett.
  • Neptune Beach: Known as “the Coney Island of the West” (1917-1939), it closed partly due to the new Bay and Golden Gate bridges, which increased car use and led to the decline of local ferry and train services.

Military Influence and Industrial Legacy

Early Aviation and Industry
  • First Passenger Airport: The west end of Alameda saw its first passenger airport in 1928, with Pan American Airways operating the China Clippers for commercial Pacific crossings.
  • Industrial Remnants: The area also held the remnants of a once-thriving industrial past, including the Borax Soap Company, Pacific and Standard Oil, and the original terminus for the Central Pacific Railroad.
Military Installations
  • Benton Field: Alameda deeded land in the west end to the U.S. Government for an elaborate 100-acre Army Base known as Benton Field.
  • Alameda Naval Air Station: In 1935, another deed of 929 acres of tideland and submerged land was sold to the government for $1, marking the beginning of Alameda’s identity as a Navy town. The Alameda Naval Air Station officially opened on November 1, 1940, and operated for 56 years, providing continuous fleet support. World War II nearly doubled the population overnight.

Modern Alameda

Current Community
Today, Alameda is a diverse community spanning 23 square miles with a population of 76,000.
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Alameda Research

We are the City of Alameda Museum. If your research is for County of Alameda, please contact the Alameda County Historical Society at 484 Lake Park Ave. Oakland, CA 94610.

Contact the Alameda Free Library at 1550 Oak Street or call the Reference Desk at (510) 747-7713 for assistance with your research. Some useful resources at the library include:

  • Alameda City Directories from 1869 to 1943
  • Alameda newspapers from 1869
  • Newspaper clippings file
  • High school yearbooks from 1899

For additional local history resources see: Local History Resources Available at the Alameda Free Library.

  • Museum volunteers are available for consulting at the museum (2324 Alameda Ave). To make an appointment, call +1-510-521-1233 and leave a message, or email info@alamedamuseum.org.
  • Our on-line catalog (under construction) can be used to search for documents or objects that can be viewed on request. One or more photos, a description, and history of the objects is included. Disclaimer: images in the on-line catalog are for education and research purposes only. Users need to adhere to copyright and intellectual property laws.
  • The Museum has books written by curator, George Gunn, documenting Victorian and post-Victorian residential and commercial buildings from 1854 to 1904 as well as Edwardian buildings from 1905 to December 31, 1909 prior to building permits.
  • The Museum has a selection of photographs in the archives that can be accessed by searching files for residences by street or family name and businesses by name.
  • For structures built after 1910, contact the City Planning Department at 2263 Santa Clara Ave., room 190, entrance on Oak Street. Phone (510) 748-4554. There is a minimal fee for property searches. Staff can assist you regarding fees for building plan searches; select partial and complete blueprints for some residential and commercial buildings after 1910 exist on microfiche. Staff can provide access but not historical information. The Planning Dept. has publications of architectural resources of the city, i.e. historical monuments, historical building list, signs, commercial districts, and properties on study lists.
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