;s,L, ■ ,',-K an i "^ is. li«i?'iteki'' ALiFcimNm Alameda Alameda Co., California Sitxiated on tKe E-astern SKore of tKe Bay of San Francisco JK, City of Homes Being a brief description of tHe beavities of Alameda, and its svirrovind- in^s on land and -water ^^ Press of the Alameda Daily Encina 1325 Park ;Ttre-et, Alayieda. *Cal. ^'^y-^^^m u. wimmm. M' ^4i >n 1^ M^^ m IN REDWOOD CANYON '^-l^l-^i^l^r^iU^-t-A C^cxnJL Historical Bv HARRY R. TAYLOR ORIGINALLY one man owned the entire site of the present city of Alameda, forming a part of the Rancho de San Antonio, which was granted to Luis Peralta for services to his country in 1820 by Pablo Vicente de Sola, Governor of Cali- fornia, who derived authority to make such grants from the King of Spain. In 1844 the same grant was confirmed by Micheltorena, the Spanish Governor of Upper California. Later, when California was admitted to the Union, the United States Government con- firmed these grants. The entire population of the village in early times was central- ized, but the advent of the railroad later spread the residences over the peninsula, the whole of which was one beautiful park of natural oaks. It would require a volume to set forth adequately the story of the ambitions and struggles of the pioneers, whose public-spirited endeavors made possible the charming city by the bay shore, which we of the present generation enjoy. In 1854, with but 100 inhabitants, the town was incorporated by act of legislature and its boundaries fixed. The second incorporation of the town took place on March 7, 1872; in 1876 was established the first water plant. Churches, schools, hotels and stores had been started, and from a popular resort for picnics, the wooded Encinal, carpeted with wild flowers, came to be looked upon as a most desirable place of residence. In '73 much attention began to be directed to improving streets and sidewalks, and the foundations were laid for the present best sewered and paved city on the Coast. Wooden sidewalks were later entirely replaced by artificial stone walks. By amicable agreement with the railroad companies, no charge was ever made for fares between the numerous stations within the city limits. This very desirable concession still continues and gives Alameda a feature which is perhaps unique on the continent. To speak of the perfection of the city's model fire depart- ment, of its splendid school system, the building of its fine City Hall and Carnegie Library, require separate chapters. Suffice to say, the public spirit of its citizens has ever been in the potent watchword, "Forward and Upward !" Looking back over its history, we see that Alameda has made a wonderful progress. From a cattle ranch it has become a city of handsome residences, a beautiful home city with no disturbing elements. Its progress has been healthy and permanent. Its settlement and prosperity have been mainly due to its fine environ- ment and unequaled natural advantages. Its future is safe, and it is dawning with a promise of still greater blessings. Climate of the City of Alameda By EDWARD W. MASLIN CLIMATE has been defined as "the characteristic conditions of a country in respect to amount and variation of heat and cold, moisture and dryness, wind and calm," etc. For the purpose of this article, the consideration of the climate of the city of Alameda will be confined to question of how far the climate of the city affects the comfort, health.and the intellectual develop- ment of its inhabitants. Every citizen of California thoroughly understands the topog- raphy of the State and the causes which create its many various and beneficent climates. We have the climates of the upper and lower Sierra ; the two main valleys — Sacramento and San Joaquin, the north and south Coast Ranges — the sea slope thereof and the eastern slope. Each of these differs materially from the others. It is in the equability of temperature and the certainty of winter and spring moisture to mature crops that the section of country sur- rounding the Bay of San Francisco is superior to other sections of the State. But there are differences in the general climates of the bay counties, and so it may successfully be contended that the climate of the city of Alameda is the most equable. For the foreign reader this condition needs precise explanation. In this State, climate is dependent upon altitude and not upon latitude, and also upon the influence of the ocean or trade winds. In the East we naturally expect that the north is cold and the south is warm and somewhat tropical, but in California, the summer temperatures of Redding, in the north, and Bakersfield, in the south, 300 miles apart, are almost identical. The State is bounded on the east by the high Sierra Range, which protects us from hot and desiccating winds. On the sea line is ihe Coast Range of mountains, rising from 1,000 to 4,000 feet high, extending from the north to the south line of the State, which shields the interior from the fogs and ocean winds. In the Coast Range is a break called the " Golden Gate," through which enter the tide and trade winds, and flow to the sea the waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, the first coming from the north and the latter from the south. The chief modifier of our climate is the Japan current, which is deflected northerly and easterly when it meets the east coast of Asia. A portion of this warm current washes the east shore of China and Japan, and a portion flows south of the Aleutian Islands. It advances until it strikes the northwest shore of North America, then turns southerly and flows along the west shore and past California. The temperature of the ocean at Fort Point, on the Golden Gate, averages 56°, while the temperature of the air is about 54°. The trade winds coming from the Arctic zone pass over this warm current and reach our shores— the most healthful, bracing wind that ever inspired physical vigor. Hence will be perceived, at once, the causes which conspire to produce the mild, invigorating and equable itemperature of the country adjacent to the Bay of San Francisco. In this climate there is neither fervid scorching heat, nor chilling, depressing cold. Labor pursues its toil with interesting vigor, and here the human mind finds the highest expression of its power. No country in the world possesses the equal physical conformation of the earth to produce such a superb climate as comes within the influence of the ocean winds which pour in unstinted through the Golden Gate. These winds sometimes blow strong, and in winter are occa- sionally cool, but Alameda is so situated as to be sheltered from the unpleasant features, if there are any, of the winter winds. The ocean winds, modified and warmed by the Japan current, after they reach the bay, are deflected, mostly to the north, up the Sacra- mento Valley, and reach with a lessened force a distance of about one hundred miles. Where the influence of the trade winds is not felt, we have an almost tropical climate, which permits oranges to be grown as far north as Oroville, and possibly further, and on the east slope of the Coast Range. Casually looking at the map, one would suppose that Alameda lies in the direct course of the trade winds, but this is only apparently so. As we said before, the tend- ency, in fact the constant course, of the trade winds is to the north- ward after passing through the Golden Gate. Alameda lies about six miles south of the direct trend of the wind, and gets generally but the fringe of the current. She has also the protecting shelter of the Coast Range of mountains, ranging south of San Francisco, which gives her the gentle warmth of the east slope of the range. Her climate is probably 10° warmer than that of San Francisco, either in winter or summer. Often when the fog-horn outside the Golden Gate is moaning its warning tone, Alameda is bathed in generous sunshine. General Chipman writes in an article on the " Economic Value of Climate" as follows: "There is nothing so misleading as tables of mean temperatures. For example, the mean annual tempera- ture of San Francisco, where there is seldom a frost or rarely a hot day, is only about 5° higher than the mean temperature of New York City, where the people perish in the street both by extreme heat and cold. It is obvious that to ascertain the climate of a country we must study the extreme degrees of heat and cold." For instance, in 1891, the mean temperature of Redding, not less than 150 miles north of Alameda and Oakland, was 64°; Tulare, 100 miles south of Oakland and Alameda, the mean was 63°; the mean temperature of Oakland was 57°, yet at Redding in the same year, on August 3d, the highest temperature for the year was 107° and the lowest, on January 1st, was 26°. At Tulare, on June 29th and other days, the highest was 112°, and on December 14th the lowest was 18°. At Oakland the highest reading of the thermometer was 90° on October llth, and the lowest on January 1st was 30°. Ala- meda, being more sheltered and further south by three miles than Oakland, would show a few degrees higher reading, both winter and summer, than Oakland, and a few degrees higher mean. The equability and salubrity of the.climate of Alameda may be appreciated by comparing the range of the temperature in January, 1902, with other sections. At Redding the highest temperature was 68° and the lowest 28°, the greatest daily range being 37°. At Tulare the highest was 78° and the lowest 20°, the greatest daily range being 40°. In Oakland the highest was 58°, the lowest 32° and the greatest daily range only 20°. It may be well to state here that there is no weather station at Alameda, hence it was necessary to take Oakland, where there is a station, as the unit of compari- son, observing, however, as stated before, that experience shows that Alameda is a few degrees warmer than Oakland. "And 'tis my faith, that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes." So wrote Wordsworth. No better proof of the salubrity and sweetness of the air of Alameda can be educed than the floral wealth of her lawns and gardens. From winter to winter flowers bloom and exhale their perfume. No frost touches and chills them, neither do they shrink from summer's heat. They live and breathe in constant ecstacy in the air that feeds and kisses them into exuberant growth. How much such a climate must add to the comfort of those who have the capacity to enjoy it, the imagination may suggest to those who have not lived here. Labor can be performed here without the enervation of both body and mind which follows toil, both physical and mental, in warmer climes. This climate invites and encourages outdoor sports and exercise. The rosy hue of health in the cheeks of the young boys and girls attests, as it does in England , the invigorating influences of the sea breezes. Nowhere are found more perfect types of physical vigor than those of the youth of this city. It is almost needless to argue upon the effect of such a climate upon the intellectual development of the present young and future generation. In warm countries mystics and prophets are born, but only in temperate climates does the human mind grasp the deep problem of life, exercise its reasoning faculties and add to the same knowledge and power. In faith I see the coming men and women nourished in this wonderful and exciting atmosphere bring fame and honor to this beautiful city. Educational Advantages of Alameda By CHARLES E. SCHWARTZ ALAMEDA enjoys educational advantages of the broadest and best. Its public schools are of three grades — a primary course of five years, a grammar course of three years, and a high school course of four years. The primary and grammar schools are most excellent ; and aside from thorough training in all the English branches, offer special instruction in sewing, cooking, drawing, manual training, music, and nature study. Manual training is provided for the boys in the grammar grades. There are four wood-working shops, one in each of the large grammar school buildings. The equipment in each of these shops is of the very best, that of each building having cost five hundred dollars. The grammar grades have the departmental plan of instruc- tion. This gives to pupils teachers of special ability in each subject. The most of the pupils' attention is given to essentials. Study periods are provided for in the day's program at school. No home study is required of pupils in the primary and grammar grades. This enables teachers to supervise the study of the pupils and to aid them in the formation of proper habits of study. Classes are kept to a reasonable size. The average number belonging to a class in the grammar and primary grades is thirty- eight. This gives almost ideal conditions for the pupil to receive the personal attention of the teacher. It is the policy in Alameda to make the department compact by having a few large buildings. There are in use at present six buildings. Free transportation within the limits of the city on two railroads makes it possible for pupils to come from quite a distance to school easily, promptly, and with no expense. Alameda has a very large school attendance in proportion to population, which shows not only that her population is one which takes advantage of school opportunities, but also that the schools are so conducted as to hold the interest of the pupils. The number of pupils attending during the past year was 3,550. The population of Alameda is 17,500. School is in session ten months during the year. There are eighty-four classrooms at present in use in the Ala- meda department ; and twenty more rooms will be made available when the high school moves into the new high school building within a few months. There are ninety teachers in the school department of Alameda. Teachers are selected on merit alone. All applicants for positions are given a fair hearing. The salaries paid are as high as any in the State. As a consequence Alameda has one of the most wide- awake and efficient bodies of teachers to be met with anywhere in the United States. One of the attractive features of the schools of Alameda is the school gardens, which are well kept at all seasons of the year. Alameda is one of the few places of the country giving special attention to this method of beautifying school surroundings. The citizens of Alameda recently voted bonds for |100,000, 165,000 of which is to be used in the construction of a new high school building. This building will be erected on a spacious lot near the center of the city. It will be built of brick ; and the plans are so drawn as to admit of extensions at a future time without interfering with all the proper arrangements for light, heat and exits. The new high school building now being constructed will have accommodations for five hundred pupils. The present high school attendance is three hundred and fifty. The high school course of four years is elective throughout. A business course is offered in addition to the other high school work. The high school is accredited at the University of California and at Stanford University. There is an evening school at which the common English branches are taught and at which courses are given in bookkeep- ing, shorthand and Spanish. In addition to the educational advantages which Alameda has in the schools and libraries within her own limits, it is less than an hour's ride (fare, five cents) by street-car to the State University of California, situated at Berkeley. It is also less than an hour's ride to San Francisco (fare, ten cents), where the public institutions of that city, such as libraries, art and science museums, public parks, and the best grade of lectures and entertainments, are within easy reach of all the residents of Alameda. Boating on San Antonio Estuary By WM. B. HINCHMAN BOATING, which is followed as a relaxation, amusement and athletic exercise, is always certain to be one of the attractive features of a city when navigable water is contiguous to the center of population. On the north side of Alameda is a land-locked estuary called the " San Antonio." It is connected at the westerly end with San Francisco by Oakland Creek, a deep-water stream, and on the eastern end with San Leandro Bay by a tidal canal. For boating the estuary is unexcelled. The water ranges in depth from five to twenty feet. There is no undertow, no boister- ous surf and no heavy winds. Its perfect sanitation, its smoothness and its facilities give the very best conditions for the pleasures and advantages of boating. The people indulge in the practice the whole twelve months of the year. At the north end of Chestnut Street, on the estuary, within easy walking distance from the center of the city, is the clubhouse of the Alameda Boating Club. It was organized on January 2, 1890. It has a membership of 100. The club owns its house and has a number of racing and pleasure boats. Its members have been highly successful in competition, and have won more prizes during the past three years than any other boating club in California. The Health Department of Alameda By L. W. STIDHAM, M. D. MAN does not, except from the force of necessity, dwell in unpleasant places — when he chooses a place for a home, that spot is selected which gives the greatest convenience, health, comfort and happiness — such inducements as these have builded Alameda across the Bay from San Francisco. It is a city of homes, and the municipal government has realized this fact aesthetically, in shade trees, paved sidewalks and macadamized streets, and strictly healthful in a perfect sewer system, strict yard and garbage sanitation. This department of the Board is under the jurisdiction of a master plumber and health inspector. Unsan- itary yards, unclean streets and cesspools of all descriptions are strictly prohibited. We have a pure water supply, and above all a good food supply. The milk and food inspection is in charge of a competent (graduate) professor, who makes a monthly test of the milk from each dairy (taken from the wagons on the street unannounced). The dairies are all inspected at least once a month, and the sani- tary conditions, feedstufTs, condition of the cows, water supply, percentages of butter fat and cream in the milk, are published on a blackboard in the Board rooms, and also in the daily papers. The food inspection comprises a monthly inspection of all butcher- shops, bakeries, groceries, produce stores and restaurants, and all materials used in the manufacture of foodstuffs as well. All pre- pared articles sold for food are examined chemically and micro- scopically ; the State as well as local pure food laws are rigidly enforced. The result is that our mortality rate in children (milk being their chief food supply) is the lowest of any published statis- tics in the world. Our mortality rate (annual death rate per thou- sand for the last fiscal year, 10.7), for all ages, is much lower than the other cities of this State and of Eastern States. We have no tenement district with unsanitary living, no large factories with obnoxious waste, odors or smoke. Added to these municipal and industrial conditions, there are many natural advantages. The city's elevation above sea-level is twenty-nine feet ; it has a sandy loam, quickly absorbing the rain- fall, gradually sloping from the center of the city to the bay shore on either side, allowing natural drainage and sewers partly flushed by sea water. We have a mild, pure atmosphere and an equable cHmate, allowing outdoor life from January to December. There is no malaria, and few contagious diseases. The city's Board of Health is composed of professional men, who stand high among eminent physicians, and are men of authority on sanitary laws and legislation. A Board of Health is oftentimes censured by the public as meddlesome and interfering with per- sonal rights and business interests ; but this important body has the householder at heart, and protects the home and property value against unscrupulous people, by abating nuisances and things un- pleasant and unsanitary, on the broadest principles of humanity. Public Library of Alameda By F. B. graves ONE of the potent factors in the development of a city is its free library. It is an essential part of a broad system of education ; it supplements and assists in the work of the schools. It furnishes an incentive and an opportunity for wider study to the pupils ; it gives to men and women excursions in fresh and delightful fields ; it gives to history clubs and others material for better work ; and gives to all classes wholesome reading for leisure hours. The Free Public Library of the city of Alameda ranks fourth in the list of free libraries of California as to number of volumes issued, and sixth as to maintenance and number of volumes in the library. It was started in the year 1877 by a few ladies and gentlemen, who organized the "Alameda Free Reading-room and Library Association." Gifts of money and books were generously con- tributed, and the association, with several hundred volumes, the leading California newspapers and principal American monthly magazines, opened its rooms on August 25, 1877. From that time the growth of the Library has progressed steadily. On January 1, 1897, the Library was opened in its present quarters in the west wing of the new City Hall. Here will be found conveniently arranged rooms, where members may have easy access to all the books. The reference department, on the same floor, has a good collection of bound periodicals and stand- ard reference works. The children have an alcove to themselves, where they may read and consult the books provided for them. The Library has 26,400 volumes, and a membership of 6,243, more than one-third of the population having cards. For the year ending May 31, 1902, there were issued for home use 123,547 volumes. A monthly bulletin is issued by the Library containing lists of recent accessions, a serial catalogue, and items of informa- tion and interest to its readers. This is distributed free. A branch reading-room is maintained at the west end, where in addition to the daily and weekly papers and monthly magazines, a collection of reference works and bound periodicals may be found. Mr. Andrew Carnegie, who has done more than any other man toward the erection of library buildings, has given to this city |35,000, with which to erect a building suitable for its needs. The lot on which the building is now being constructed was bought by the Library trustees in 1887. The new building is to be of sand- stone and pressed brick ; it will have a frontage of 70.6 feet and a depth of 65.6 feet. An easy rise of wide granite and marble steps leads up to the vestibule of mosaic and marble, making an artistic entrance to the main room. No partitions will obstruct the view in this room, the several departments being divided by wire parti- tions. Special attention has been paid to the heating, ventilating and lighting. The capacity of the building will approach 70,000 volumes. It is the intention to have the building ready for occupancy by the end of the present year. The City We Love By ED. K. TAYLOR THE climate of Alameda permits of outdoor enjoyment during all seasons. When the rain interferes with some kinds of recreation the sportsman enjoys better duck shooting on the adjacent marshes, and better fishing under the wharves — possibly because the fish seek shelter from the rain. Our city has a frontage of six miles along the land-locked estu- ary and harbor, and for five miles the weary waves of the open bay rest upon our white sand beach. Where can better opportu- nity be afforded for swimming, fishing, boating, with oar or sail, or playing with the happy children in the sand ? Where can children become more robust or have keener enjoyment than here ? They have their rose gardens, their sand pies and sunshine. They can safely drive their pony and goat carts on ouruncrowded streets. I know of one little maiden of ten summers — we have no winters here— who takes her trick at the'wheel of a twenty-ton yacht and enjoys her regular plunge in the surf. Here children are allowed to be children. Here also you will find active sportsmen of from sixty to eighty years young. It is largely on account of our opportunities for invigorating sport and these bracing sea breezes that — and let it be proclaimed abroad — a city of seventeen thousand population harbors not one loafing rowdy. Alameda is the only city in the world that has no resident criminal element. Our youth'grow up uncontaminated by evil associations or influences. We have baseball and cricket grounds, tennis courts and champion players, a rifle range for target practice at the east end, and trap and pigeon shooting at the west. Our facilities for sea bathing are unsurpassed. We have a public park and children's playground, and your child can associate with every other child in town without physical or moral injury. We have the best paved streets for wheeling, riding or driving in carriage or automobile, also gymnasiums, bowl- ing alleys and every aid and opportunity for recreative sports ; and if you want the greatest fun of all, join the Tong of white high- binders, for Alameda is the Imperial City, the central home of the Imperial Tong— the unique fraternal order of the earth, whose members are robed in the most fantastic designs of the richest silks and stuffs of the Orient. Like everything else in Alameda the order of The Tongs is flourishing and extending and spreading through all the land. The home-coming merchant or weary toiler from the metrop- olis leaves his cares over the water, and, after resting on the ferry, he is in better condition for the enjoyment of sports than he who hangs on the strap of a crowded street car journeying to his flat in the metropolitan resident district. Hence, here we not only have opportunity, but congenial company in all sports. Chief of all modes of recreation is boating. It strengthens muscles and lungs, imparts new life, health and vigor and corre- sponding mental activity. Yachting is a constant source of pleasure, and often of that strange wild delight which springs from the wrath- ful waves as fragrance from the wind-tossed sweetbrier. You must brave the dangers if you would comprehend the mystery of the sea. The pulse is quickened, the muscles toughened, and bravery and love of freedom developed in the battle with winds and seas when the tempest voices are singing through the rigging, and the foaming jaw of the waves snaps at the counter. Then when evening falls and Zephyrus whispers low, and the weary waves drowsily leap to embrace the trembling reflection of the stars, and the yacht plows furrows in the shining wake of the full moon, cross-barred with electric rays from the towers of Ala- meda, the recreation is reposeful, nerves are quieted and care for- gotten out in the solemn night on the sea. jAlameda^ my fair sweetheart, we all love you. AUG i» 1^^^ r--^ g ^k flu %r ' i^^^^^^^B ■plB^H 1 i'i«l|nB|B - T r 1 Jim j i -^^^.. KS «t affrv ^ * 'W^ku Sf'-'ffliSiPP^^^^I ^^^^^^^^H^ i^^^^l ' ' '■ *iM ^^^f«- ^'>ltf IUhhI HfiRra^^ '^ jMiiBl ^^^^ JH LIBRARY OF CONGRESS HM^ !! ilH! I!!!! i!>i! V»> nin Km im iii 021 929 648 4 ^ This booKlet io issued under iKe auspices of tKe Alameda Board of Trade . Parties desiring further in- formation on matters relating to tHe City of Alameda and its surroundings will receive prompt and careful attention ',by addressing the under- #?^ned 3p^ Alamed^, Doardf of Trade \ F. N. DolonoVtv- .^ - . . President H. HavicH Vic«-Preai