Another element of history as per Anthony R. Chathams request: Study of Contra Costa maps reminds us that todays Contra Costa County and Alameda County were once One Big County. It was divided because the county seats, one along the shoreline in Martinez and one in downtown Santa Clara then were too far distant for easy and rapid travel, then as a primary consideration and motivation to create Alameda County. Looking at the 1846 map in this region we can find information on the settlers of the region, originally from Spain, and later of mixed Spanish and Mexican blood who received grants of land in what amount to both of these counties. Measurement evaluations are referenced in Spanish Leagues, Spanish Varas, and English miles. After 1851 El Rancho De San Antonio was called Oakland. The early Spanish settlers following the de Anza Expedition settled the ranchos as granted by Spain (not Mexico). Later on, the descendants of these members would receive land grants, some of these coming from the Government of Mexico. Anyhow, most of these grants were tracing to those exploration expeditions and the members who participated, many of whose names live on in landmarks, place names they determined or used, and locations. In the approximate route of the second Anza expedition of the 1700s we have todays Mission Blvd., roughly following the old road to Mission Santa Jose (San Jose) and, as indicated on several maps, St. Clara, of course. The original route was roughly parallel but west of that, leading as El Camino de Santa Clara. Onward, westerly through Oakland and east bay cities turning northward was the approximate route of El Camino Real on the east side, past the grant of Ygnacio Peralta in San Leandro, Antonio Maria Peralto in Rancho San Antonio (east Oakland), Temescal and the early huge one, El Rancho de San Antonio. Onward north westerly, leading to the provisional land grant of Francisco Castro in 1823 El Rancho de San Pablo (Los Cuchiguenes) (as shown of map) running past todays Albany Hill (across the freeway from Golden Gate Fields) the hill was then called El Cerrito de San Antonio (on map). Even the cities of El Cerrito and Albany are confused or incorrect on the origin of the name(s). Among the Peralta family grants was Cordonices (quail) along Cordonices Creek (near the city limit line of Berkeley and Albany today) granted to Jose Domingo Peralta. Rancho San Leandro was granted 1837 and 1842 to Joaquin Estudillo (ring any bells as to Estudillo blvd. in San Leandro, Ca. guys ? ) the old name for Yerba Buena Island was once Goat Island. In a like manner, off Point Richmond (near todays very old and very large Santa Fe rail yard ) we have Sheep Island. The descendants of most of the original grant holders argued and fought over property, or sold it off piecemeal, reducing the grants to much smaller chunks over many years. However, once California became a State, the land rights of the original grant holders were mostly upheld and remain as the foundation for the legal titles so many many years ago. Much material is available. One thing as a must read is the web site peraltahacienda.org
Posted on: Sun, 14 Dec 2014 23:20:46 +0000
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