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A Short History of Hayward

By
Real Estate Agent with Pam Winterbauer Real Estate
During the late 1840s two events occurred occured that set in motion the founding of Hayward. First, the Mexican American War ended and the United States received California, New Mexico, and Arizona as new territories. Secondly, gold was discovered in California, drawing an explosion of people from all over the world. Some struck it rich but the majority didn't. Some moved from the mining camps to this area and became squatters (people who settled on the land of landowners without permission).

One of these men was William Hayward, who had traveled from the East through Panama to San Francisco in 1849 at the peak of the Gold Rush. He was unsuccessful in mining gold from the northern mines, so he returned to the Bay Area where he squatted on Don Guillermo Castro's land. Hayward set up a small store and saved up enough money to buy some land from Castro. This land was along the road that ran from San Jose to Oakland to San Francisco (now called Mission Boulevard). Hayward realized that this area would be busy in the future, so he decided to build a hotel in addition to his growing store.

Hayward's Hotel became a destination for travelers and tourists. It grew to be two stories and accommodated many people. Inside the grand building was a large lobby, reception rooms, dining halls, and sitting  and card rooms. The hotel also served as a post office. The main force behind the success of the Hayward Hotel wasn't William Hayward, but his wife Rachel Rhodes Hayward, who arranged and managed parties, receptions, picnics, rides, and entertainment for guests.

Several other immigrants bought land from Castro, and soon shops sprung up around the hotel including blacksmiths, merchants, and food shops. The Hayward Hotel became the pinnacle of the little town known as "Hayward's." Most businesses depended on luring the customers that the hotel attracted. As railroads links opened to connect San Francisco, Alameda, and Hayward together, the town of Hayward thrived.

In 1876, the city of Hayward was incorporated. The initial population was 918 people, but that number grew steadily, as more homes were built and more modern conveniences were available.

A Community Grows

Agriculture flourished. Landings along the shoreline made it possible for farmers to ship fresh vegetables to San Francisco and beyond. Around the same time, salt production turned the Hayward and Eden salt marshes into some of the most productive salt fields in the world. In fact, the Bay Area was such a large area for salt production that by 1868, there were 17 companies harvesting 17,000 tons of salt per year.

The principle mode of transportation at this time was still based on horses. Everything from goods to water pumps was carried on the backs of these animals. Finally, in the mid 1860s, the railroad reached town, connecting Hayward to Oakland.

A major setback during this time was an earthquake that struck in 1868, and caused many buildings to suffer from moderate to heavy damages. This earthquake virtually wiped out the local railroads and stunted growth for a time.

Rebound

After recovering from the earthquake, Hayward was on the move again. In 1870, the Oakes Hotel opened and  became the prime competitor of Hayward's Hotel. It provided food, a place to stay, and entertainment (bar and dancing) for its guests. The owner, Mr. Oakes, was the main attraction with his singing and guitar playing. Saturdays were best known for dancing.

Churches were organized in Hayward by the 1870s. The Trinity Episcopal Church began with pastor services in 1871. Twenty years later, the Presbyterian Church of Hayward opened. The current All Saints Church was built in 1869, by a group of local volunteers working for Joe Rivers. The All Saints Church also aided the youth by providing a reading room which was a place where students and instructors could practice reading English.

Fraternal groups and community service groups such as the Independent Order of Odd Fellows(IOOF), Rotary, Lions, and the Kiwanis began to serve the growing town. The IOOF was instrumental in helping out with Hayward's aged, orphaned, and disabled people. The Native Son's helped out during the earthquake of 1868 and their Hall served as a place of worship.

A big fear in those days was fire. Wooden buildings could easily catch on fire and lay waste to the developing town. So the Hayward Fire Association #1 was organized in 1865 to face fires with water buckets. This fire fighting effort was quite different from modern fire stations like the one at the corner of C and Main Streets. In those days, the fire crew was composed of just nine men who volunteered for part time duties. They used leather buckets (that can still be seen in the permanent exhibit of the Hayward Area Historic Society Museum) to battle the flames. Later with its population booming and the threat of fierce fires always looming, the city opened its fire department in 1875. The fire department had hand-pumped hoses to put out fires.

Technology took a step forward during the 1860s through the 1880s. In 1860, William Meek built a dam on the San Lorenzo Creek and later formed the San Lorenzo Water Company which used wooden tanks to store water. The water company went on to lay the first main pipelines for water in the area. In 1883, the first telephone service was installed. It replaced the inconvenient dispatcher (middle person) and served to deliver messages more clearly and easily. Just two years later, in 1885, gas lighting lit up the main streets of Hayward.

In 1891, when the first issue of the Hayward Review came out, citizens in Hayward could finally receive accurate and timely news.

During this period immigrants flooded into Hayward looking for jobs. They came to make up some 42% of the total population. Most came from European countries such as Denmark, Spain, and Germany.

Education had its formal birth in Hayward in 1876, when Laurel Grammar School was built to house Hayward's student population. Later, the grammar school was enlarged. Its principal was the poet Edwin Markham, who was known for his famous poem, "The Man and His Hoe."

 The first true high school that opened in 1893 was called Union High School #3. It served students from Hayward, Castro Valley, San Lorenzo, Redwood, Palomores, and Stonybrook. Initially, it was a one story building (two, if you consider the basement). Soon, however the amount of students exceeded the limit and the school site was gradually increased from 10 to 30 acres. The architecture for the new buildings included ionic columns, low-pitched roofs, and friezes of gods.

In 1896, Hunt's Cannery opened on lower B Street. Its aroma was known to have spread throughout the city. It had its origins in Santa Rosa, where the Hunt brothers opened their first cannery. They later moved to Hayward to increase their plant size. A job at the plant offered its workers decent wages, a place to stay, and education for their children. One hundred cottages were created for the workers and a kindergarten was built. The cannery was located in lower Hayward close to the Pacific railroad tracks thus allowing for easy shipment. The taxes from the cannery made up one-sixth of Hayward's tax revenues. Hayward's economy also received a boost when San Francisco Pickle Works moved to Hayward.

As the new century was at the horizon, Hayward still served as a resort town during the summer. To many, these types of hotels were return to the pleasant and tranquil life of nature unlike the harsh cacophonous city life.

But the modern world was about to arrive. By 1900, electrical generating machines and steam machines were installed in Hayward to produce abundant amount of electricity, some of which would be used to run an electric trolley that connected Hayward, Oakland, and San Francisco.

At this time, the Knox Water Works installed fire hydrants and built storage sites for trash on hills around Hayward. An 1892 bond issue had provided for the construction of a main sewer line from downtown Hayward to shoreline for $300,000 in order to reduce cholera cases. Pure water and better sanitation conditions helped improve health and longevity of the people in Hayward.

The Carnegie Library was built at B and First in April 1906. This public service was privately funded by Andrew  Carnegie, a millionaire who owned the largest steel firm in America, Carnegie Steel Company. Like he did throughout the country in many towns, he donated $10,000 towards the construction of Hayward's library. Mrs. Mamie Creelman, a well-known librarian was helpful and patient with school children. The library was two stories and had a Spanish influence in architecture. Many youngsters went there to improve reading and writing. Fiction was by far the favorite choice for books.

As population continued to rise so did the demand for housing. Housing developments began and continued on the outskirts of the main commercial district. Most of the houses at this time were Victorian style. A fine example is the McConaghy House on Hesperian. The building period continued for around 30 years (1880-1910). Another famous home built during this time was the "Castle" of Hayward, which is across the street from current day Hayward High School. It was two stories and had a large circular staircase. Mr. William Conners built the structure for his wife and initially included 11 acres of farmland.

During the 1920s, Hayward, like the rest of the nation expanded in businesses due to the growth and speculation in the stock market and higher consumer income and spending.

In 1922, the Hayward Hotel, which had helped put Hayward on the map, burned down. The Green Shutter Hotel,  which extends along Main Street and between B and C Street would come to replace it in time. Built by Henry Eggert, a charter member of IOOF, it served to be the hub of the community activity as it provided for staging of meetings for Lions, Optimist, Kiwanis, and the Business and Professional Women's Association. For a time retail buildings were located on the first floor and offices on the second floor.

In 1931, the City Hall opened and Hayward officials finally had a place to meet. The City Hall was designed by Hayward's own architectural master, E.P. Whitman. The building itself was a marvel. However the land wasn't; the city hall had been built on the Hayward Fault. A new city hall in a different location would eventually replace it.

Hayward suffered during the Depression of the 1930s, but due to government projects such as building parks and mending roads, Hayward's working class was alleviated from the full scope of problems. The Hayward Plunge was one of the results of such a WPA project. The Depression-era programs provided a dual purpose of employing people and helping further growth in Hayward.

During World War II, Hayward schools built stretchers for the war effort and girls assembled first aid bandages. Even though Hayward wasn't attacked, it felt the pinch of the war as food and supplies for the ordinary civilian were rationed and store ads told of food and supply shortages.

Boomtime

 After World War II, Hayward experienced an unprecedented growth from 14,272 to 72,000 people in just one decade! The increase was due to prosperous times caused by federal acts such as the Federal Housing Act and the veterans administration loan program, which allowed more families to build homes and have the government help mortgage them. The construction of more freeways allowed people to move from cities to suburbs.

In the 1940s and 1950s, businesses enjoyed good times as they made profits again, and businesses of all types - furniture, fast food, restaurants - flourished. In 1949, the so-called Hayward Strip opened, which consisted of some sixteen stores, including Capwell's complex, Kirby Shoes, JC Penny, Crescent Jewelers, opened. In 1950 more shops were built, such as Krasky's Nutrition Food Shop.

In 1957, a bill for a state college in Hayward was passed, and by 1964 construction began to create a California State College (now known as CSU Hayward). In the beginning, classes were held at Sunset High School and Hayward High School until construction was finally finished. This new university provided Hayward residents with a place to further their education while keeping transportation and living cost down. There were many unique opportunities available such as night classes and weekend activities on campus.

In 1962, the last class of Hayward Union High graduated as the old school was prepared to be torn down. For the next five years, former Hayward students did everything in their power to stop the demolition, from raising debates to holding street marches. But it didn't work and the whole campus was razed in preparation for the construction of the current day Civic Center including a City Hall built to replace the one on Mission Boulevard.

A Modern and Diverse City

By 1976, during the 100th birthday of the city of Hayward, Hayward enjoyed great growth and an ever growing number of residents. Bart (Bay Area Rapid Transport) became part of the new transportation revolution alongside public buses and personal cars that provided Hayward citizens with more mobility. It was a total contrast to 80 years prior when Hayward had horse drawn streetcars as the most advanced type of transportation.

In 1998, Hayward dedicated a new city hall. It was the city's third city hall and is composed of four stories of sandstone and polished granite on the exterior. This city hall is within walking distance of BART and was built in proximity to new commercial businesses in downtown.

The cultural diversity of Hayward continued to grow. According to the 2000 United States Census, Hayward's  population is:
  • 34.2% Latino
  • 29.3% White
  • 18.7% Asian
  • 10.6% African American
  • 4.6% Mixed Ancestory (3rd over all in the nation)
  • 1.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
  • 0.4% Native American
  • 0.5% Other
In Hayward today there are many parks, libraries, churches, cultural organizations, service groups, charities, art galleries, special interest groups, schools, businesses, a museum, and everything it takes to make a city.

Hayward's history unfolds each day...What does the future hold?

Information taken from the Hayward Historical Society

 

Comments (7)

Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
Pam:  I thought you said that was going to be a "short" history of Hayward !  What a great sounding city.  Yikes... I remember those horse-drawn street cars.  They were so messy to clean up after.  Talk about pollution... yikes !  Is that building in the picture the new Hayward City Hall ?  It is quite attractive for a city hall.  And yes, I actually read the entire article.  What a bedtime story... :)
Apr 18, 2008 05:33 PM
Karen Anne Stone
New Home Hunters of Fort Worth and Tarrant County - Fort Worth, TX
Fort Worth Real Estate
And... it figures that the Hayward Hotel was only successful because of Hayward's wife Rachel Rhodes Hayward.  But, that is often the case.
Apr 18, 2008 05:35 PM
Pam Winterbauer
Pam Winterbauer Real Estate - San Ramon, CA
"Providing Blue Ribbon Service"

Hi Karen.....well it started off to be a short story.  I had something to post last night about the City of Hayward going green and much to my surprise there was not a group to incorporate Hayward.  Well, so I created a Hayward group and found myself deep into the Historical Society information.  I could never do anything in a few short words.  TMI.

Hayward was a great city in it's day with a very heavy Portuguese influence.  I attended the church and school that was in the picture....All Saints, even was married to husband #1 there.  It has changed over the years and we are working on the school system to get those test scores up.   :)  Thanks for the post.

Apr 19, 2008 05:57 AM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Karen,

Thanks for the great history lesson!  Hayward is a wonderful city, in fact if I recall correctly some of the best burgers and shakes in town are at VAL'S Burgers in Hayward.  I remember going there as a kid. Are they still around?

Apr 28, 2008 07:56 AM
Pam Winterbauer
Pam Winterbauer Real Estate - San Ramon, CA
"Providing Blue Ribbon Service"
Michelle....you are so correct, Val's is noted for it's burgers and shakes.  I remember going there when I was a kid at their old location next door.
Apr 28, 2008 05:21 PM
Michelle Pimentel
Empire Home Staging Solutions - Upland, CA
ASP, IAHSP Empire Home Staging

Pam,

Great history lesson of events in this region!  I wonder how much territory Don Guillermo Castro originally owned, as I am assuming that only a fraction of what he owned is what we now consider Castro Valley!  Thanks for sharing these interesting facts about Haywards history, you learn something NEW every day!

Dec 03, 2008 07:42 AM
Anonymous
Rosemary Hernandez Aguirre

I grew up in Hayward in the middle 1950's.  I remember Hunt's cannery.  My father worked there for many many years.  I remember the smell of tomatoes in the summer.  Our back yard was over the fence from where Hunt's stored their fruit boxes.  In the summer. we would try to jump the fence where they stored the peaches for the fruit coctail.  I have many wonderful memories of old time Hayward.

Feb 05, 2011 03:26 AM
#35