The history of Contra Costa County, California
In presenting this new history of Contra Costa County to the public, we do so in the earnest hope that it will prove to be the most complete compilation of local chronicles that has up to this time been offered to our citizens. The authenticity of the facts contained in the various articles is as absolute as the utmost care could make it. The data have been procured from the best-known authorities, and the biographical sketches, when completed, were subjected to the most searching examination for verification and correction. That no errors will be discovered in this production is too much to hope for; but we do most certainly trust that if any misstatements there be, either in number or by their nature, they will not be found sufficiently important to detract from that character for reliability which it has been our constant aim and endeavor to impart to this history.
In this new work the design has been to make clear the development of ideas and institutions from epoch to epoch. The social and economic conditions of the people have been preserved in the narrative, and much attention has been paid to describing the civil characteristics of the several towns and cities, both in the conduct of their local affairs and in the relation to each other and the county at large. It has been our object in this work to hew straight to the line, simply satisfied to furnish such information as we were able to gather concerning important matters or interesting events, and where the desired materials were lacking we have not attempted to supply the deficiency by filling in the vacant niches with products of the imagination. We have not striven for effect ; our object is merely to give an authentic account of facts recent and remote, disposed in a proper and orderly manner, so as to enable our readers to clearly understand the history of their community from its origin down to the present day.
This work is a collection of data by a staff of contributors consisting, of the most accurate and capable writers in their respective fields in the county, who here crystallize and preserve the material they have gathered from many sources.
Never, so far as I am aware, has any local history in any county been prepared as this has been. Each writer is in a position to speak with absolute authority upon the subject of which he treats, and it was the intention of the editor that each should present in the most attractive and concise form such material relative to the matter of which he writes as had not appeared in any previous publication. How far that hope has been realized the critical reader may judge. It has also been the aim of the editor to limit the sketches to a statement of such facts as will be of interest to the readers of today and bf importance to those of the years to come.
In sending forth this volume we trust that, in addition to its value as a depository of accurate information and useful knowledge, it will prove an effective instrument in creating a more lively public sentiment regarding historical subjects, and that it will especially foster an interest in the annals of our own county. If my collaborators and myself have helped to perpetuate the memory of the heroism, the fortitude, the suffering, and the achievement of the men and women who placed Contra Costa County, California, in the foremost rank of the counties of this State, we shall be content.
Table of Contents
PART I
Chapter I
The Indians 1
Chapter II
Early History of California 6
Chapter III
Mexican Land Grants — Pen-pictures of Early Days 10
Chapter IV
Pioneer Citizens 19
Chapter V
The Bear Flag War 30
Chapter VI
Extracts from General John A. Sutter's Diary 66
Chapter VII
Settlement and Early History 79
Chapter VIII
Climate — Soil — Horticulture — Agriculture 88
Chapter IX
Mines and Minerals 92
Chapter X
San Ramon Valley 97
Chapter XI
Central Contra Costa County 102
Chapter XII
Eastern Contra Costa County 116
Chapter XIII
Doctor John Marsh 133
Chapter XIV
Mount Diablo 136
Chapter XV
Summary of the County's Resources 141
Chapter XVI
Early Criminal History 145
Chapter XVII
Bench and Bar 194
Chapter XVIII
Educational 205
Chapter XIX
Library Development 229
Chapter XX
Religious 236
Chapter XXI
The Medical Profession 248
Chapter XXII
Banking 271
Chapter XXIII
Transportation 283
Chapter XXIV
Fraternal Societies 296
Chapter XXV
Martinez 309
Chapter XXVI
Richmond 326
Chapter XXVII
Antioch 355
Chapter XXVIII
Danville 381
Chapter XXIX
Pittsburg 383
Chapter XXX
Bay Point 390
Chapter XXXI
Crockett 393
Chapter XXXII
Oakley and Sand Lands 399
Chapter XXXIII
Knightsen 404
Chapter XXXIV
Rodeo 407
Chapter XXXV
Walnut Creek 412
Chapter XXXVI
Pinole 421
Chapter XXXVII
Port Costa 423
Chapter XXXVIII
Avon 424
Chapter XXXIX
Byron 426
PART II
Biographical 431
Read the Book - Free
Download the Book ( 17.6 MB PDF ) - Free
I came to California the first time many years ago, before the transcontinental railroads had laid their span across the Great American Desert, coming from New York to San Francisco by way of the Isthmus of Panama. There is as great a difference between the California of today and the California of the days of ox-teams and "prairie schooners" as there is between the aforenamed desert and the Garden of Eden as allegorically described.
Contra Costa Comity was at that time composed in the main of several large cattle ranches, owned by Spaniards, Mexicans, and Portuguese, with here and there a tiny country crossroads village. It shipped a little wheat and barley to San Francisco in a primitive way, by small sailboats; but agriculture was secondary to the live-stock interests. A cattle ranch in the olden days consisted generally of what might be considered now a fair-sized township, or even a county. There were miles upon miles of as good and fair land as ever lay out of doors then only a barren waste.
|