San Leandro Bytes

Former Mayor Jack Maltester's Testimony Before the US Commission on Civil Rights

On May 6, 1967, San Leandro Mayor Jack Maltester testified at a hearing of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which was investigating housing discrimination.

The complete text of Maltester's testimony follows.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. The next witness is the Hon. John D. Maltester. Whereupon, the Hon. John D. Maltester was sworn by the Chairman and testified as follows: )

TESTIMONY OF THE HON. JOHN D. MALTESTER, MAYOR OF SAN LEANDRO, CALIFORNIA

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Would you please state your full name and address for the record.

MAYOR MALTESTER. It's Jack D. Maltester, 715 Woodland Avenue, San Leandro.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. What is your occupation?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Half owner in a printing business and mayor of the city of San Leandro.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. How long have you been mayor?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Since 1958.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Are you also a member of the city council ?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. What is the population of San Leandro?

MAYOR MALTESTER. The last official population was 69,000, close to 70,000, and anticipated at this time probably closer to 75,000.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. You think it's about 75,000?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. How many Negroes live in San Leandro?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I cannot tell you to the exact amount. I get two different reports. I would guess it's between 20 and 25, 26.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Twenty or 25 persons or families?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Persons.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Are Negroes employed in the industries in San Leandro.

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Do you have any idea how many?

MAYOR MALTESTER. No, I haven't. We haven't asked for that type of a survey, although lean tell by the plants when the shifts go off duty that there are quite a few Negroes employed in our industries.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. We have some statistics, Mr. Mayor, a study we did that indicates that the companies in San Leandro employing 100 or more persons that report to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and that report to the office of Federal Contract Compliance, provide approximately 13,500 persons, of whom about 572 are Negroes, about 5 percent or so. Does that sound as though it might be right?

MAYOR MALTESTER. That might be right. I presume that some plants according to the type of work may employ more than others. I wouldn't question that.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. And those are companies of 100 employees or more. Companies with less than 100 employees are not included in those statistics. Are Negroes employed in stores and small businesses in San Leandro?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes, they are.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. How would you account for the fact that just across the border of San Leandro in Oakland there are large numbers of Negro families, and yet there are just 20 to 25 Negroes in your city?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Well, basically the question in the past has been one of prejudice. San Leandro grew from a farming community to a bedroom community for people who mainly worked in San Francisco. I guess prior to World War II there were about 20,000 people in the community.
Industry started to come in. Half of our present land area is zoned industrial. I don't think there is any question but what there was prejudice involved.
Although some of the families, Negro people who live in San Leandro, have lived there for many years. We have a very heavy Portuguese, Mexican American, Spanish people living in our community. At the present time the families that are moving in are moving in different areas of the town.
As you just heard Mr. Lucot state that the one property on the Hills at some $75,000 or $80,000. We have other families that moved into the Marina Fair and different areas which, from a personal standpoint is good for everybody, and in other words we don't get any ghetto, or where it's white or dark or anything else. It is spread throughout the community. One other thing that has, I'm sure, kept an awful lot of minority races out has been the cost of property.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. The cost of property?

MAYOR MALTESTER. The cost of property in San Leandro. I do not have facts to back this up. I get this statement from real estate people and appraisers, that the same property on one side of Durant Avenue, which is our dividing line with Oakland is worth $1,000 to $1,500 more than this property is in Oakland. The reason for that, I don't know. One has been that we have had a reduce in tax rate, and we have increased our services to the people. Beyond that I can't say, I'm just guessing.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Do you think that the fact that two cities so close to each other, and one of them has such a large Negro population and the other has such a small one, might lead to friction of some sort?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I'm certain it will some day unless something is done. As I say, it is--I feel something is being done now, but it is being done slowly.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Is the city concerned that racial disturbances in Oakland might affect San Leandro?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I might say as the mayor I'm concerned, yes.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. What actions or plans do you have to deal with the problem?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Well, we haven't any plans to deal with the problem. You must understand that in our community, although the mayor is directly elected by the people, we are a little different than some of the Eastern cities.
We do not have the authority as mayor, I technically do not have any more authority than any city councilman, so it is just a problem as to what you can do. We hope that we are getting, I think, more and more people in our community that realize the problem and are willing to recognize that it is there and help do something about it, but it's an awfully slow process.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Do you have problems in your community with white racists groups?

MAYOR MALTESTER. No. In fact, the only time I knew one existed was a series of articles in a local newspaper.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. But the groups themselves you don't consider terribly significant or a force in molding opinion in the community?

MAYOR MALTESTER. No, I've checked this out with our own police department and they feel that it does not pose any problem at all in the community.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. There has been some testimony about the meeting that you held with business and religious leaders to discuss problems of racial integration in San Leandro. Have there been many such meetings ?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Well, no. That was probably the largest where we've brought industry into the picture and the banks.
I have attended three or four meetings with various clergy groups and I would think that the clergy has been the most interested in the problem in the community, and probably not only the most interested but probably the most knowledgeable as to what does exist.
There have just been unofficial meetings over a cup of coffee talking about the problems as they would see one or the others that would come up.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. But in December you had a meeting which included a larger number of individuals?

MAYOR MALTESTER. That is correct. I was asked if I could get together some of the industrial people to join some of the clergy and the banks. We thought it would be a good thing to sit down and talk to them and just see what they felt.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Has that meeting been followed up with additional similar meetings?

MAYOR MALTESTER. No, it hasn't been. It was left on the basis that see how things are going for a while and then we would get together again unofficially. When you try to get a group together like that, sometimes it takes a little time to get them together. Everybody is busy, but we undoubtedly will have other discussion. That is, if I have my way about it and they show up.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. How long have you lived in San Leandro?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I was born in San Leandro.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. On the basis of your knowledge in general, and on the basis of your experience as mayor what factors in the local real estate market do you think have kept Negroes from buying homes in San Leandro?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I don't think it is the real estate people nor the lending institutions. I think it's the people themselves. I'm quite sure that any real estate man would sell any home in San Leandro to a Negro if the seller of that home gave them the go-ahead.
There is still the fear that if one home is sold to a Negro, the whole block will be sold to Negroes and then the next block. This is a fear, I think--and I am not a historian--which grew up over many, many years which ultimately, I guess it did happen in the West Oakland area. And this, I think is the basis of fear.
I really don't--oh, there may be one or two real estate people, maybe one or two lending institutions, but I think the basic problem is with the people themselves, not only in our community but in any other community,

MR. GLICKSTEIN. But you have had some large tract developments in San Leandro where the homes were sold new by the developer.

MAYOR MALTESTER. Right.

MR. GLICKSTEIN, Not by individual sellers. Yet, those developments have turned out to be predominantly or, exclusively white. Isn't that correct?

MAYOR MALTESTER. It is correct, and yet probably the largest and latest development and the last one from the land standpoint that is available now has three Negro families living in it, and the development is only five or six years old and all of the three--and one I know was sold through the developer of the tract.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. One was sold through the developer of the tract?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Definitely to the Negro.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. That is the Marina

MAYOR MALTESTER. Marina Fair.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. That is a new area that is being developed?

MAYOR MALTESTER, Right.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. How do you account for the older tracts that were developed that were not integrated?

MAYOR. MALTESTER. This, again, I cannot account for except for the fact that I think it goes back to the people themselves. I've talked to apartment house owners that the rest of their tenants have threatened to move out if they rent one apartment to a Negro family. So then who do you blame, the people or the apartment house owner?

MR. GLICKSTEIN. When Negroes have moved into San Leandro how have they been received by their neighbors?

MAYOR MALTESTER.. Normally very fine. We've had one bad incident that you have undoubtedly picked up on us. This happened to be on the most expensive one we were talking about, but it had nothing to do with racial problems, just outright hoodlums, but outside of that they are well accepted.
In fact, I would think exceptionally so. The reports that I get from this Marina Fair area is that the people in the area are happy with these families. They have gone in and fixed up their homes better than they were before and joined the Home Owners Association, become active in the area. This is what I think is tending, as I say, to break down this barrier that is built up, but I don't think it will be broken down politically. It's got to be through people.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. And I gather from what has been said that you as mayor have been exercising some leadership in the direction of breaking these barriers down?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I try as much as possible, in fact maybe a little more than I am supposed to, but it has to be persuasion and on a friendly basis. Yes.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. One of the witnesses said you had proposed to the city council that a human rights commission be set up and you were unsuccessful in getting that through.

MAYOR MALTESTER. I went beyond the human relations commission. I also tacked the word responsibilities in there because this had been proposed right after President Kennedy addressed the United States Congress of Mayors in Honolulu and asked for this type of support throughout the country because I think every city has areas where the property is getting run down, and this is not always Negroes' areas. In fact, most of the time it isn't.
So we wanted not only the human relations commission aspect, we wanted some responsibilities put into it. Unfortunately, the city council decided on a five to two vote that it was not necessary, that we didn't have any problems, and I don't blame the city council because, believe me, when that proposal was put out in the press --before I made the proposal I had six votes, and when the people got through with the telephone calls I wound up with one besides my own.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Informally, then, your fellow councilmen agreed with your position, but when they had to indicate publicly what their position was they voted differently.

MAYOR MALTESTER. That is correct.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. How many persons does your city employ?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Approximately 365.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. How many are Negroes?

MAYOR MALTESTER. One.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. And he is a--

MAYOR MALTESTER. Police officer. We did have two. We had a young lady that was a police assistant, but she decided she would rather work for the telephone company.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Does the city require its employees to be residents?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes and no. The rule is, the civil service rule is that all employees must be residents. The civil service board has the right to suspend that rule for all examinations. In checking our records we find it has suspended for all operations except three, they're always putting the rule to one side.
Those three operations that they have not suspended the rule for was a garbage collector, a maintenance man and the parks people, and in checking back and asking the Civil Service Commission why these three were not also allowed to not have to live in the community it is a fact that they class them in three emergency categories. I don't know, this is the answer that I got.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Those three categories have to live in the community?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Right, and the others have to--the examinations are open. In fact, the young Negro police officer we had lived in Berkeley. Now he lives in San Leandro with his family.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. He now lives in San Leandro?

MAYOR MAL TESTER. Right.

MR. GLICKSTEIN, Did he have any difficulty in finding a place to live?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I haven't talked to him. He hasn't said anything to me.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. But he did move into the city?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Does the city recruit employees outside the city?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes. This is what I was talking about on the recruitment. These are the only three that are supposed to live in the city, The rest of the recruitment comes from all over.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. And actually you make affirmative efforts to go outside of the city? You advertise outside the city?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes. It's advertised in all the journals, a notice is sent to the department of employment. We give it a broad advertising effect.

MR. GLICKSTEIN. Thank you. I have no further questions, Mr. Chairman.

CHAIRMAN HANNAH. Mrs. Freeman?

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. Mayor Maltester, does your city attempt to recruit industry, large industry, to come in? Have you ever in the past attempted this?

MAYOR MALTESTER. The city as such hasn't. The Chamber of Commerce is always, of course, working to bring new industry into San Leandro, and this is where our growth assessed valuation wise has come from, new industry over the past years.

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. Do the majority of the persons who are employed by the industries that have come in in the past few years reside in San Leandro?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I wouldn't know. I would have to say as a guess, no. It's a pretty educated guess.

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. Would a significant number of those that are white reside in San Leandro?

MAYOR MALTESTER. No. Again, I don't have any figures, but in my opinion no, because we have an awful lot of people that live in San Lorenzo, Hayward, Castro Valley.

I have had people tell me that even working for the city they can't live there because they can't afford it in their own city and they moved to Castro Valley.

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. And these houses range in price from $18,000 up. Is that right?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Yes.

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. Let me pose to you a hypothetical question that if a government agency or a government contractor indicated an interest in shelter for its employees and said to you as mayor, the leading official of the city, that, "We cannot come here because there is not a free and open housing market" what would then be your responsibility as the mayor?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Well, I would certainly want to sit down with the contractor or whoever he was and find out what the facts would be, and then sit down with our city council, so I would say that--

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. Do you think it would make any change with respect to the--and this of course is an estimate-would the council then care enough about having a white-only ghetto to change it?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I would say that as individuals they would, and then when it got out into the newspapers I don't know where they would stand when the heat went on.

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. I'm sorry, I didn't hear you.

MAYOR MALTESTER. I say that I am sure that as individuals the city council would be interested. I think that our city councilmen still are interested, but I would say that when the people themselves started to protest-

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. These people, then, are so racist that they would still keep the industry out?

MAYOR MALTESTER. In my opinion if this were the issue, yes,

COMMISSIONER FREEMAN. Thank you.

CHAIRMAN HANNAH. Mr. Mayor, there are seven councilmen you say?

MAYOR MALTESTER. Six and the mayor.

CHAIRMAN HANNAH. Are you elected as mayor or as a councilman and then the councilmen elect the mayor?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I'm elected as mayor.

CHAIRMAN HANNAH. You are elected at large?

MAYOR MALTESTER. At large. Following through, we have the six councilmen who represent six districts. They have to live in the district, but they are also elected at large.

CHAIRMAN HANNAH. In your testimony this morning you've indicated that your views with reference to the presence of Negroes in your community is at variance with the views of most of the people that live in the community. When you have run for re-election has this been a handicap to you?

MAYOR MALTESTER. I couldn't say that because in the last election I didn't have any opposition, which was last year.

CHAIRMAN HANNAH. Mr. Taylor?

MR. TAYLOR. No questions.

CHAIRMAN HANNAH. Thank you very much, Mr. Mayor. We appreciate your enlightenment, and we hope that you may be able to prevail upon some of your colleagues. Having watched this development in the areas of civil rights all over the country it is as certain as anything can be that a city like San Leandro is going to move in the direction of an orderly acceptance of desirable Negroes and members of other minority groups or face, as you suspect, unhappiness and this myth that has been built up that when good citizens who happen to be black, or Mexicans or something else, move into communities, nothing really happens. There are fine people of all races and colors and religions, and somehow or other we have to get our citizens to recognize that what is important is the individual.
It is basically an educational process and if you and other enlightened leaders can follow along with the attitude that you have expressed here this morning Maybe you can make progress, although it gets discouraging at times.

MAYOR MALTESTER. I hope so. I would like to thank the Commission and would like to make, one statement, if I may, because I have read where the Commission has been criticized, and I would like to say that I think the most important thing that this Commission is doing is to allow the light of day to be put on some of these problems around the country, and I just hope that your job is accomplished along with the rest of us.

Retired Librarian Writing New History of San Leandro

Retired San Leandro Librarian Cindy Simons is writing a new book on the history of San Leandro. The book, to be published by Arcadia Publishing, is part of the Images of America series. The series also features Castro Valley, Hayward and San Lorenzo. The book will build on an earlier history of San Leandro she wrote in July 2004 for the Alameda County Historical Society.

According to Simons, “The book will cover the stories of San Leandro from the time of the Jalquin and Yrgin Ohlone tribes to the 21st century. There are so many great stories in San Leandro's past -- cherries, oyster pirates, tractors, and Portuguese Holy Ghost festivals to name just a few.” Unlike “A Garden Grows in Eden” by Harry Shaffer or Reginald Stuart’s “San Leandro...A History,” Simons’ history will use about 200 photographs to tell the story of San Leandro’s history, including important recent events and issues.

The book is expected to be published in September or October 2008. If you have pictures of old San Leandro or stories of the “good old days,” contact Simons at (510) 910-3215 or by email at simons6589@comcast.net.

Simons was a librarian for the City of San Leandro for 11 years and was responsible for the History Room at the library and the Casa Peralta. Simons also took on curatorial responsibility for the exhibits at the history museum when funding was approved by the City Council.

In September 2005, the City of San Leandro commissioned an outline for a book on the history of San Leandro, but cancelled the project when the writer proposed to write about housing discrimination in San Leandro.

The Reasons Behind our Street Names

As part of San Leandro's centennial celebration in 1972, the city commissioned a history of San Leandro. Harry E. Shaffer authored this history entitled, "A Garden Grows in Eden." The book covers San Leandro's history from the first Spanish expedition that crossed through San Leandro in 1772 until about World War II. You can get your own copy of the book at the San Leandro History Museum and Gallery.

Many of San Leandro's street names come from its earliest residents, owners, developers, lawyers, and even the wife of an early city engineer.

In Shaffer's "A Garden Grows in Eden," he writes, "...the list [of street names] is only a start. Perhaps readers can help us add to it." Below are the names of many San Leandro streets and who or what they were named for.

Street	Named for	Changed
Alice Ave.	prob. Alice A. Young, wife of Charles A. Young, owners
Antonio St.	Antonio Estudillo, son of Don Joaquin
Bancroft Ave.	H. P. Bancroft, Sec. of Breed & Bancroft, developers	from Santa Clara St.
Begier Ave.	I.H. Begier
Belleview Dr.	prob. developer Belleview (Belleview Gardens subdiv.)
Best Ave.	Daniel Best, whose children subdivided the property
Billings Blvd.	Ray L. Billings
Bradhoff Ave.	Lloyd Bradhoff of Bradrick Homes, subdivider
Bradrick Ave.	Bradrick Homes, subdivider
Breed Ave.	A. H. Breed, Pres. of Breed & Bancroft, developers
Bridge Rd.	R. C. Bridge (& wife Helen L.) and E. S. Bridge (& wife Emma Lou), owners
Callan Ave.	Father James Callan, first resident pastor of St. Leander's parish
Carpentier St.	Horace Carpentier
Cary Dr.	T. P. Cary & children, Amzi B. Cary & Lucy (Cary) Walrath (who subdivided the estate) T.P. Cary provided the land for San Leandro's Library
Castro St.	Guillermo Castro, owner of Spanish grant to southeast (Castro Valley)
Clarke St.	Henry Kirk White Clarke, attorney for Ward & Estudillos against the squatters (for ex. George Zimmerman)
Collier Dr.	C. H. Collier (& wife Avis M. Collier), owner
Dabner St.	John Pimentel Dabner, owner
Davis St.	Wm. Heath Davis
Diehl Ave.	Fred W. Diehl & wife Lena A. Diehl, owners
Donovan Dr.	J.J. Donovan
Doolittle Dr.	Jimmy Doolittle who led raid on Tokyo in W.W.II	from Bayshore & Shoreline Blvds.
Dowling Blvd.	Geo. F. Dowling, Gertrude M. Dowling & Catherine C. (Dowling) Slattery, owners, & prob. descendants of Richard Dowling
Durant Ave.	Durant Motor Car Co. & founder Cliff Durant (Co. was where Chevy plant now is)	from Stanley Rd.
Dutton Ave.	widow Jane Dutton, owner & pioneer	from Chicken Lane
Elsie Ave.	Miss Elsie Nugent, dau. of Magdalena Estudillo Nugent
Estabrook St.	George Estabrook Smith, County Clerk & subdivider for Jacob W. Harlan
Estudillo St.	Don Jose Joaquin Estudillo	to San Leandro Blvd.
Eveleth Ave.	Larry Eveleth (of Linton, Sundberg & Eveleth, developers)
Farrelly Dr.	R.S. Farrelly
Garcia Ave.	Joseph Garcia or descendants Manuel H., Joseph H. and Frank H. Garcia (owners)
Graff Ave.	A. W. Graff (possibly miswritten for Robert W. Graff), owner
Haas Ave.	John L. Haas & wife Mary (Reid) Haas, owners
Harlan St.	Jacob Wright Harlan, owner
Harrison St.	? (named by Jesus Maria Estudillo)
Hays St.	Col. Jack C. Hays
Haywards Rd.		to E. 14th St.
Hellman Ave.	I. W. Hellman Jr.,former owner
Hepburn St.	Hiatt P. Hepburn, of Hepburn & Saunders, attorneys for Estudillos against the squatters	to W. Joaquin Ave.
Holland Ave.	Edward J. Holland, owner	to Halcyon Ave.
Huff St.	Socrates Huff
Hutchings Dr.	E.F. Hutchings
Hyde St.	? (named by Jesus Maria Estudillo)
Joaquin Ave.	Don Jose Joaquin Estudillo, grantee of Rancho San Leandro
Juana Ave.	Doña Juana M. Estudillo
Knox Ave.	Lewis Knox (by widow, owner)	to 143rd Ave.
Lemon Ave.	part of Orange Grove tract	to Euclid Ave.
Leo Ave.	Clarence Leo Best, owner
Lewelling Blvd.	John Lewelling & son Eli Lewelling, owners
Lewis Ave.	George A. Lewis, Pres. of Lewis & Mitchell Inc., developers
Linton St.	George W. Linton of Linton, Sundberg & Eveleth, developers
Lloyd Ave.	Lloyd Bradhoff, subdivider of Bradrick Homes
Lola St.	"Tia Lola" Dolores (Estudillo) Cushing, dau. of Don Joaquin
Manthey Ave.	Chas. E. Manthey, Pres. of Hollywood Land Co.	to pt. of Broadmoor Blvd.
Martinez St.	Ignacio Martinez, Spanish Don, father-in-law of Joaquin Estudillo
Maud Ave.	Miss Maud Nugent, dau. of Magdalena Estudillo Nugent
McKinley Ct.	Chas. A. & Pauline McKinley, owners	from Shirk Ave
Melvin Ct.	prob. Melvin E. Lyon, trustee for Peralta Land Co. in Hollywood subdivision
Mitchell Ave.	Arthur R. Mitchell, Sec. of Lewis & Mitchell Inc., developers
Mulford Gardens	subdivided by Gertrude H. (Mulford) Collins (dau. of Thos. W. Mulford) & husband Robert H. Collins
Oakes Blvd.	William Edward ("Billy") Oakes, owner	from Palm Ave.
Orchard Ave.	prob. for George Smith's cherry orchards; he subdivided
Parrott St.	John Parrott of S. F., testified for Juana Estudillo against squatters
Pelton Center Way	Allen E. Pelton
Peralta St.	Don Luis Peralta
Ramon St.	Ramon Estudillo, son of Don Joaquin	now vacated
Reva Ave.	wife of Cliff Cline of City Engineer's Dept.
Rodney Dr.	poss. R. C. Bridge if R. stands for Rodney
Ruhe St.	Bert Ruhe, Sec. of Hollywood Land Co.	now vacated
St. Mary Ave.	Joseph St. Mary & wife Sophie St. Mary, owners
Sandelin Ave.	Fred Sandelin, proprietor of tract
Saunders St.	R. F. Saunders, of Hepburn & Saunders, attorneys for Estudillos against the squatters	to West Juana Ave.
Shirk Ave.	A. Shirk, owner	to McKinley Ct.
Stoakes Ave.	Benjamin Franklin Stoakes or children who subdivided, i.e. Frank C. Stoakes & Flora (Stoakes) Rider
Sundberg Ave.	Sundberg of Linton, Sundberg & Eveleth, developers
Sybil Ave.	Miss Sybil Nugent, dau. of Magdalena Estudillo Nugent (named by Jesus Maria Estudillo)
Sybil St.	Miss Sybil Nugent, dau. of Magdalena Estudillo Nugent (named by Jesus Maria Estudillo)	to Jefferson St.
Thornton St.	Harry Inness Thornton, Federal Commissioner appt. 1851 to settle Mexican & Spanish land grant titles, S. F. lawyer
Toler Ave.	William P. Toler, son-in-law of Ignacio Peralta; built what is now the Alta Mira Clubhouse in 1860
Valita Dr.	wife of Charles Martin, City Engineer
Valley St.	Wayne Valley of Valley & Lincoln subdividers
Ward Ave.	John B. Ward	to Estudillo Ave
Ward St.	John B. Ward	to W. Estudillo Ave
Warren Ave.	poss. for owners W. A. Brown & wife Mary R. Brown
Wicks Blvd.	Moses Wicks & family, owners
Williams St.	John J. Williams, S. F. law partner of Harry I. Thornton & James D. Thornton

City of San Leandro and Housing Discrimination

On May 31, 2007, the San Leandro City Council's Human Relations Committee released a draft document entitled, "Chronology of City of San Leandro’s Efforts to End to [sic] Housing Discrimination and Promote Community Diversity." The document details the city's attempts to address the discrimination and segregation that became synonymous with San Leandro from the 1950s to the 1970s. According to a June 2, 2007, article in the Daily Review, the document was prompted in part by San Leandro resident Brian Copeland's memoir "Not a Genuine Black Man," which chronicles Copeland's experiences as a child growing up in a city where black people were unwelcome.

The earliest city action in the document is July 8, 1968, when the City Council adopted a policy on Community Relations and Responsibilities. However, as detailed in American Babylon, San Leandro actively became a segregated community after World War II:

Immediately after the war, San Leandro residents erected a figurative white wall along the city's border with Oakland. M. C. Friel and Associates, a Hayward real estate firm with expertise in racial covenants, became the East Bay's leading consultant on shoring up segregation. In 1947 Friel developed a plan to place as much of San Leandro's residential property under restrictive covenants as possible, limiting future property sales to "members of the Caucasian race."

If there is any documented complicity by the City of San Leandro in establishing discriminatory policies, it remains well-hidden today. However, the actions of the business leaders and residents of the time are documented:

The San Leandro News-Observer reported in the autumn of 1947 that Friel outlined his "plan for protecting property values" in an address "before the board of directors of the Chamber of Commerce," which concluded with "the board giving its approval of the program and authorizing that a letter of approval of his program be furnished Friel." In undisguised language the News-Observer announced that the "sudden increase in the East Bay Negro population" meant that "local neighborhoods are spontaneously moving to protect their property values and calling upon Friel's company to assist them."...These restrictions enjoyed official local support through the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce and city council...

Many homeowners associations, few of which are thriving today, were a part of the effort to seal off San Leandro's borders to African Americans:

Already known in the East Bay for designing racial covenants that could survive close legal scrutiny, Friel responded to the Court's landmark decision by reconfiguring San Leandro's covenant agreements into "neighborhood protective associations," pseudo-corporations of homeowners that could legally select acceptable home buyers through "corporation contract agreements" as long as "race and creed" were not taken into account.

As noted by Copeland in the Daily Review article, the chronology developed by the City fails to include any information about its complicity in the housing discrimination that was implemented in San Leandro after World War II.

Some of this history still struggles to be told. At the September 20, 2005, meeting of the San Leandro Library-Historical Commission, Library Services Director David Bohne announced, "I just met this afternoon with the City Manager at my office. We're going to move ahead with a book on San Leandro history.... Hopefully it will done around June of next year and kind of tie in a little bit too with our celebration of 100 years." A writer was contracted to write an outline for the book, but when the writer submitted an outline that included a section on housing discrimination in San Leandro, the project was canceled.

Despite its history of housing discrimination, according to the 2000 census, San Leandro is now a diverse community, with whites comprising just over 50% of the population, Asians 23%, Hispanics 20% and African Americans 10%.

Significance of Historical Sites in San Leandro

On January 26, 2000, Community Services Director (now Library Services Director) David Bohne submitted a staff report to City Manager John Jermanis entitled, "Historical Sites in San Leandro and Their Significance." Here is an opportunity to learn about the history of San Leandro as we celebrate the independence of the United States.

The complete text of the staff report is shown below. The photos below were taken in 2007 and are not part of the original report.

CITY OF SAN LEANDRO

STAFF REPORT

Date: January 26, 2000
To: John Jermanis, City Manager
From: David R. Bohne, Community Services Director
Subject: Historical Sites in San Leandro and Their Significance

SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION

This report is for information only, and no action is required.

BACKGROUND

The Library-Historical Commission has identified a variety of historical sites in San Leandro. The attached list is of sites that exist today.

DISCUSSION

1. Alta Mira Clubhouse

The first brick house built ill Alameda County, the Peralta home was constructed in 1860 by W. P. Toler for Ignacio Peralta, an early San Leandro Spanish settler. The bricks were handmade from the Alameda Brickyard Slough. The original cost of the home was $3,000. It boasted a four-acre garden surrounded by an ornate iron fence, with a horseshoe-shaped main drive extending to E. 14th Street. The next owner, A. C. Peachy, bought the property in 1875 and added a wooden wing to the rear and front porch. It was covered with stucco in 1909 and was owned by C. L. Best before the Alta Mira Club acquired it in 1926. The home is California Landmark No. 285, and is also registered in the National Register of Historic Places. This was the final home of Ignacio Peralta.

2. Casa Peralta - 384 West Estudillo Avenue
The Casa Peralta was constructed in 1901 and has not been modified since exterior additions were added in 1925, which included many external and additional features of Spanish architecture. Some of the foundations and first floor may pre-date 1901 as remnants of the first dwelling built on this site around 1869; however, the most visible basic structure is that built in 1901. - The entrance and porch are decorated with tiles and adobe bricks from the original Antonio Maria Peralta adobe home in Oakland, dating to 1853. The interior of the Main Building remains exactly as it was designed in 1901. A few dormer windows have been added to the roof for decoration. The principal importance of this site derives from the Peralta family descendents who lived here: Ludovina Peralta Ivey, Maria Peralta Toler, and Herminia Peralta Dargie. The grounds are enhanced by three trees planted by the founder of the Golden Gate Park, John McLaren. The trees were called the "The Three Graces." The house is presently owned by the City and houses our City museum. City docents lead tours of the house and grounds.

3. Little Brown Church
The First Presbyterian Church was always known as "The Little Brown Church" to its members. Rev. James McKinney Alexander dedicated the church in April, 1867. It was the third church building constructed in San Leandro and is the oldest such structure remaining. The church stood on Clarke Street near W. Joaquin. In 1880, a room 12 x 16 feet was added to the church. This addition was the Sunday School and it is the building that you see today. The sanctuary portion of the building was moved to the Ashland area in 1935. It stood near Fairmont Hospital and was used as a church for the Latin community. In the early 1960's the site was needed for a new freeway, and the original Little Brown Church was demolished. The Sunday School building remained behind on Clarke Street. When the Clarke Street lot was sold, this Sunday School Wing was offered to the San Leandro Historical Society, provided that the building be moved. It was placed temporarily on a site on W. Estudillo and then moved to its current home on the back lot of Casa Peralta. Since the wing is all that remains of the original church, this portion is fondly known today as "The Little Brown Church." The redwood building seats about 50 people, its antique door and four stained glass windows are original. It is used by the San Leandro Historical Society as a meeting place.

4. Daniel Best House -1315 Clarke Street

The Daniel Best home was built in the late 1870's by Joseph Demont. (It is noted that the assessor's office gave a probable 1900 construction date.) The second owner of the building, in 1886, was Daniel Best, an early developer of steam tractors and plows. His tractor firm eventually evolved into the Caterpillar Tractor Co. The home is a two-story Italianate Victorian with 15 rooms and a cellar. Occupying three City lots, the property also includes a large, old-fashioned garden, a Victorian carriage house, and a workshop. The wrought-iron fence was handmade in 1894. Daniel Best lived in the home until his death in 1922. At one time the Best House was a Bed and Breakfast Inn.

5. Manuel Garcia Home -1106 Hyde Street
This home of the first prominent Portuguese settler in San Leandro was built in 1875. Manual Garcia left the Azores aboard a whaling ship when he was only a boy of nine. In 1864, at the age of 14, he jumped ship in San Francisco Bay and ultimately settled in San Leandro. Garcia was the town's first dentist and one of the earliest businessmen. The home was used as both a residence and a business establishment. The original structure has been altered considerably as a result of various renovation projects, including the removal of a front porch and the addition of a side door.

6. Captain William Roberts Home - 526 Lewelling
This building is of notable historic significance as well as architectural value. There is no record of its construction date, but the house is noted on a map of early San Leandro circa 1878. The style is in the second French Empire tradition of Victorian period construction, but the addition of stucco over the original siding lessens its architectural value. Captain Roberts arrived in San Leandro in 1850 and established one of the first bay landings and produce wharves in the county. He built up a thriving trade in grain, vegetables, fruits, hay, and cattle at his landing. This home represents an era of San Leandro history which goes back 130 years - an era of bay landings, oyster beds, grain wharves, hay schooners, lumber shipments from San Leandro redwoods, fruit orchards, salt ponds, cucumber fields, general stores, and family life. Currently, there are plans for a hotel on the property with the house preserved and used for the caretaker or office.

7. Southern Pacific Railroad Station - 801 Davis Street
This railroad station was built in 1898. From the beginning, San Leandro was an important station. Southern Pacific's records show an agency and telegraph office located here as early as the 1870's. It is reminiscent of the single most important factor in the growth and development of San Leandro, the coming of the railroads in the late 19th century. The station is one of the last such buildings that served farmers and commuters in California before the arrival of autos and electric railways. Various interior alterations were made in 1953.

8. Little "Shul" - 642 Dolores (rear)
This is the first synagogue in San Leandro and possibly in the East Bay area. It is the fourth house of worship built in San Leandro and is in excellent condition. In 1889, $1 was paid by the San Leandro Hebrew Congregation for the land at 59 Chumalia Street upon which the Shul was built. The early Jewish residents who formed the San Leandro Hebrew congregation were prominent businessmen arid civic leaders. Sunday School classes arid religious services were held at the Little Shul for many years, attracting Jewish families from Hayward to Richmond. As San Leandro's population swelled during Second World War, it was obvious to the membership of the Little Shul that changes were needed. In 1949, construction of a larger synagogue began on this site. The Little Shul was moved from the Chumalia location by the Congregation of Temple Beth Sholom and beautifully restored at its present location behind the Temple Beth Sholom.

9. Holy Ghost Chapel and IDES Hall - 790 Antonio

This site has been a Portuguese Community Center since 1889 and has been used ever since for the Holy Ghost celebration on Pentecost Sunday. The chapel was built in 1895. The initials I.D.E.S. translate as Brotherhood of the Division Spirit. The I.D.E.S. hall and chapel of Alvarado Street received its charter in 1882. The man most responsible for its establishment was Joseph Frances Focha. Born in the Azores, he immigrated to the United States aboard a whaling vessel. He and many other Azorean settlers in the San Leandro area raised funds for this land and this chapel and hall as a place to hold celebrations. Joseph and two of his brothers erected the buildings. The Holy Ghost Festa has been held here since 1882. The Holy Ghost Association moved from Dutton Avenue to the IDES Hall (originally an old barn) in 1889.

10. Tree at corner of Juana and Bancroft Avenues
This unusually shaped tree marks the site of the Gooch Estate and is considered to be of historical interest to many San Leandro citizens.

11. Best Building - Estudillo and East 14th Street
The Daniel Best Building had its formal opening on April 1, 1911. This neo-classical building was of mat-glazed terra cotta with a reinforced steel structure. The E. 14th Street side had an eight-foot arcade supported by 16-foot pillars. The arcade's floor was tiled and French glass was used throughout. The wainscoting of the lower floor and the stair entrances were of imported marble. The Best Building was restored to most of its former glory in 1973-1974 by the Best Building Partnership.

12. 308 West Joaquin Avenue. ,
The house on this site, built in 1896, is typical of California homes built in the 1890's. Its architecture is commonly referred to as the San Francisco style, which combines a variety of Victorian characteristics. Often, only the "freaks" and/or magnificent mansions of a given period are preserved, rather than the common homes that more accurately reflect an architectural and historical period. This "strick style" example of San Francisco architecture combines the scollops, stained glass, bay window and porch ornamentation into a conservative version of the Queen Anne design built during the Victorian period.

13. 1363 Hays Street
The blacksmith shop fronting on Hays Street and located at the rear of 308 West Joaquin Avenue has educational value as an illustration of one of the many home craft endeavors common to the turn of the century and since given way to mass productions.

14. 857 Estudillo Avenue
This home, built around 1890, is a reminder of a typical family home around the turn of the century. The house reflects elements on Italianate design with its bracketed rusticated corner quoins and pedimented window hoods. The carport is a modern addition.

15. 678 Juana Avenue

This refurbished Victorian home adds flavor and color to the city. Because of the intriguing color combinations used, restored Victorian homes have been referred to as painted ladies. Victorian architecture as such does not really exist. It is a merging of a number of styles combined in many different ways. This house is a combination of Queen Anne and Eastlake, a style that was very popular from 1870 to 1890. The house, built in 1890, has boxed eaves and channel rustic siding.

16. 397 Maud Avenue

The comparatively plain house on this site is one of many built in the 1880's. It is an early Italianate style with a bay window, channel siding and a partial Mansard roof. The roof design represents the second empire styling, popular from the 1860's to the 1880's. During its restoration, the owners discovered two roof lines, leading to speculation that the present house may be an enlargement of an earlier structure. This one probably was built around 1880.

17. 310-312 Warren Avenue
The style of this structure, Queen Anne Revival, is the most frequently encountered form of Victorian architecture .. The house was built circa 1900 and is not pure in design as it exhibits details of other styles such as Eastlake and Romanesque. . The house was converted to two units in 1954.

18. 659 Estudillo Avenue

This home is an example of the Modern Colonial Revival style. Notice the boxed eaves, oval window, mitered comers, and porch columns. The siding is lap and rustic. The garage is new and added in 1960. The house was built circa 1910.

19. Orchard Street Neighborhood (Kanaka Lane),
1348 Orchard Street
1349 Orchard Street
1350 Orchard Street
1364 Orchard Street
1376-78 Orchard Street
1427 Orchard Street
1470 Orchard Street
The historical-architectural value of these properties lies in their combination as a "period neighborhood." The area was settled and built by Portuguese immigrants. The sign reads "Orchard Avenue" but many know this street as "Kanaka Lane" or "Little Portugal." The names recall the settlers, who came from the Azores (Western Islands), the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), and Portugal. San Leandro is infinitely richer for its Portuguese heritage. The people form a close-knit community. Family ties, religious beliefs, common language, and valued traditions are respected and honored. Like other ethnic groups, today's Portuguese strive to preserve their proud heritage despite great population shifts and ever-growing assimilation.

20. 444 Harlan Street

Once, water tank houses like this example were far more common than they are today. The water tank is located at the rear of this property and originally was used to store water from a well below. It is typical of Northern California water tanks in that it has a "house" built around the tank - a pleasing architectural bonus not found in rural areas.

21. 383 Preda Street
This structure represents part of Northern California's unique vernacular architecture. Unlike most rural water tanks, this is enclosed by a "house," quite detailed in structure and style. Such water tank houses are rapidly disappearing from East Bay urban areas and should be preserved for their educational value, as well as for architectural attention.

22. 254 Callan Avenue
This structure represented part of Northern California's unique vernacular architecture. Unlike most rural water tanks, this is enclosed by a "house," quite detailed in structure and style. Such water tank houses are rapidly disappearing from East Bay urban areas and should be preserved for their educational value, as well as for architectural attention. This structure was torn down during the early 1980's.

23. 647 Juana Avenue - Redwood Trees

The redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) on this site and on the grounds of Bancroft Junior High School are over a century old and represent the last sizable redwoods that once covered much of the East Bay hills. Many early San Leandro buildings were constructed from local redwood. Early descriptions of this area did not mention any large tall trees. We must assume that these redwoods were not indigenous to this site.

24. 651 Juana Avenue - Redwood Trees
The redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) on this site and on the grounds of Bancroft Junior High School are over a century old and represent the last sizable redwoods that once covered much of the East Bay hills. Many early San Leandro buildings were constructed from local redwood. Early descriptions of this area did not mention any large tall trees. We must assume that these redwoods were not indigenous to this site.

25. Old Lamplighter's Home - 28 Dabner Street

The "Dabner's Addition," currently Dabner Street, was originally filed with Alameda County on May 16, 1871, just prior to San Leandro's incorporation in 1872. A study of county records revealed that the first house built in that new addition was built around 1872 on the northeasterly corner of Dabner and Davis Streets. The original owners were Mr. and Mrs. P. Mattos. Mr. Mattos was the new town's first official "lamplighter" for that neighborhood. In 1921, the home was moved back 75 feet to its present location at 28 Dabner Street. Prior to World War II, the house was owned by a Japanese family and used as a church when the family was sent to a relocation center. The home was also owned by the Mario Polvorosa family. The house is a two story wood frame structure. Its foundation is constructed of handmade brick and the house itself lies on 6 x 6 timbers on the brick foundation. Dabner Street was named for John Pimental Dabner who came from the Azores to San Leandro in the 1860's.

History Walk Marks Historic San Leandro Sites

At a dedication at Casa Peralta on June 2, 2007, Library-Historical Commissioner Frederick A. Reicker, Mayor Tony Santos, and City Manager John Jermanis dedicated the recently completed History Walk (West Estudillo Pedestrian Improvement Project and San Leandro History Walk). The History Walk includes a designated path and street improvements from the San Leandro BART Station to downtown San Leandro via West Estudillo Avenue. The History Walk also includes signs at 12 historic sites around the downtown area and four other signs that discuss the Ohlone people, Spanish ranchos, agriculture, industry, transportation, and Cherry Festivals.

Mayor Tony Santos completes his remarks at the dedication.

Guests at the dedication included Councilmembers Diana Souza, Joyce Starosciak, Michael Gregory and Jim Prola, former Mayor Shelia Young, former City Councilmember Bill Jardin, State Senator Ellen Corbett, San Leandro Chamber CEO Diana Gentry, City Commissioners Charlie Gilcrest, Dale Reed, Donna Reed, Shirley McManus, AC Transit Directors Elsa Ortiz and Rocky Fernandez, Jo Cazenave from Representative Pete Stark's office, and San Leandro School Board Trustees Linda Perry, Stephen Cassidy and Mike Katz-Lacabe.

Guests were entertained by the St. Felicitas School Children's Choir performing San Leandro is Where the Heart is (San Leandro's Centennial Song) and Consider Yourself from the musical Oliver.

Historical Preservation Survey from 1974

In April 1974, Ecumene Associates produced a Historical Preservation Survey for the City of San Leandro. The report recommended protection for a list of historically significant sites under the City's Historical Preservation Ordinance. Below is the text of the report without any of the illustrations.

HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SURVEY

Prepared for the
City of San Leandro

Ecumene Associates
Hayward, California
April 25, 1974

INTRODUCTION

This report is intended to provide information to the citizens of San Leandro, the Historical Cultural Advisory Commission, and the City Council regarding the historical-architectural-educational resources available in the City of San Leandro. Specifically, the report presents a list of sites that Ecumene Associates recommend for protection under the newly enacted Historical Preservation Ordinance and an enumeration of additional sites that might be considered for preservation by other parties or agencies. In addition, the report includes a short account of the growth of San Leandro, illustrated with historical maps, a list of sites that might be marked with informative signs, and some recommendations for future attention to the historical geography of the area.

METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY

Files of historical houses prepared by the Oakland chapter of the Junior League were used by Ecumene Associates as a starting point in this investigation. The files were found to be incomplete or inaccurate in many cases and were therefore used only to prepare a tentative master list of sites to be surveyed. Other sites were added to the master list at the suggestions of interested San Leandro citizens and in the course of historical research. A survey form was then completed and photograph taken of each of the one hundred and twenty sites on the list. Special attention was given to the unique architectural characteristics of the structure, if any, and to whatever historical-educational value it may possess.
Ecumene Associates based its review of the historic architecture of structures on three principles: (1) good architectural design; (2) suitability of architectural style; and (3) compatibility with surrounding structures. Of particular interest were sites that reflected feelings for the indigenous and the traditional and that extended and complemented the existing remnants of local heritage.
It is noted here that a complete sample of styles appropriate for architectural education should include the following: (1) California Mission (pre 1830); (2) Spanish adobe (1830-1870); (3) ready-cut "salt box" houses (1870-1890); (4) "Monterey" adobe (1860's); (5) Gold Rush commercial (1850-1890); (6) Victorian (1880-1900); (7) California bungalow (1900-1920); (8) Mexican adobe (l920-l940); (9) Old English revival (1920-1940); (10) concrete modern (1920-1940); and modern California ranch style (1940-present). However, no adequate examples of the mission, Monterey, or California adobe styles could be found, and examples of the bungalow, Mexican, English, concrete modern, and ranch styles were far too plentiful throughout the city to be considered for legal preservation protection at this time. Therefore, the lists assembled for this report include predominately Victorian and other turn of the century housing styles that are irreplaceable and becoming scarcer as the city continues to develop.
Using the methods and criteria stated above, fourteen sites were selected from the master list, designated as first priority, and recommended for inclusion under the Historical Preservation Ordinance. The second priority list includes sites that might be considered for inclusion under the ordinance at a future time or that might be considered for preservation and/or renovation by interested private parties. The third priority list includes the remaining old structures that were considered for but rejected from the first two lists. Research undertaken for this report also permitted identification of the following: (1) three unique water tank houses;
(2) three trees of special interest; (3) six sites of historical but not architectural importance; and (4) a group of sites that could be designated as an historical neighborhood.
Indian sites were purposely left off these lists until such time as local Native American organizations may discuss with city officials the posting and preservation of these sites. The Department of Archaeology at San Francisco State University has records of all known Indian sites in San Leandro and will make this information available to city personnel upon request.

INTRODUCTION

On April 25, 1974, Ecumene Associates submitted to the City of San Leandro a report entitled "Historical Preservation Survey." The following is a supplement to that report. The supplement is intended to provide information to the citizens of San Leandro, the Historical-Cultural Advisory Commission and the City Council regarding implementation of the newly enacted Historical Preservation Ordinance No. 74-12. Specifically, this report presents the background information and rationale used in identifying the historically or architecturally significant structures suggested by the Historical-Cultural Advisory Commission for inclusion within the compass of the ordinance.

A review of most older structures in the City was undertaken by Ecumene Associates in April. Three priority lists of potentially significant sites were presented to the Historical-Cultural Advisory Commission for its consideration. The initial review was based on the following criteria: suitability of architectural style, good architectural design, compatibility with surrounding environments and historical significance. Of particular interest were sites that reflected feelings for the indigenous and the traditional and that extended and complemented the existing remnants of local heritage.

It is noted here that a complete sample of styles appropriate for architectural education should include the following: (1) California Mission (pre-1830); (2) Spanish adobe (1830-1870); (3) ready-cut "salt box" houses (1870-1890); (4) ''Monterey'' adobe (1860's); (5) Gold Rush commercial (1850-1890); (6) Victorian (1880-1900); (7) California bungalow (1900-1920); (8) Mexican adobe (1920-1940); (9) Old English revival (1920-1940); (10) concrete modern (1930-1940); and (11) modern California ranch style (1940-present). However, no adequate examples of the mission, Monterey, or California adobe styles could be found and examples of the bungalow, Mexican, English, concrete modern, and ranch styles were far too plentiful throughout the city to be considered for legal preservation protection at this time. Therefore, the lists assembled for the first report include predominantly Victorian and other turn-of-the-century housing styles that are irreplaceable and becoming scarcer as the city continues to develop.

It is emphasized that the first survey and the list of sites presented here deal with examples representative of the common, ordinary aspects of life in early San Leandro rather than the unusual or exceptional. The intent is that students and other citizens will be afforded glimpses into the city's heritage by supplementing their reading and viewing of old photographs with examination of these real artifacts.

Historical preservation of individual buildings and groups of structures has proven valuable to property owners and citizens of the following California communities:

• San Francisco: Jackson Square and Ghirardelli Square


• Los Gatos: Old Town complex


• Saratoga: Old Town restoration


• San Juan Bautista


• Bakersfield: Old Town


• Sacramento: Old Town


• Monterey restoration


• San Diego: Old Town


• Alameda Victorians

In each of these communities, citizen interest in local heritage has been expressed through the adoption of ordinances that encourage organized methods of preservation or restoration. In like manner, the Historical Preservation Ordinance of San Leandro is a means of reviewing the potential removal of historically or architecturally important buildings and of considering alternative uses of them before demolition is permitted.

It is recommended that the sites here listed as being of architectural or historical interest be preserved through implementation of the Historical Preservation Ordinance and that the approved list be reviewed periodically and modified as deemed appropriate. Later review of the list might consider in more detail the possibility of including selected examples of mid-20th century architectural styles, such as the California bungalow and concrete modern styles of the 1930's and 1940's.

DESCRIPTION OF RECOMMENDED PRESERVATION SITES
CITY OF SAN LEANDRO

1. Alta Mira Clubhouse
This brick structure was built by W. P. Toler for Ygnacio Peralta in 1860. It was sold in 1875 to A.C. Peachy, who added a wooden wing to the rear and a front porch. It was covered with stucco in 1909 and was owned by C. L. Best before the Alta Mira Club acquired it in 1926. The building is California Registered Landmark No. 285. For further information, see Andrew Eggum, "Peralta Home (New Alta Mira Club)," unpublished paper, San Leandro City Library.

2. 384 W. Estudillo - Casa Peralta
This structure, built in 1901 by a daughter of Ygnacio Peralta, is presently owned by the city and houses the Cultural-Historical center. It was remodeled from its original Victorian design into a Spanish style villa in 1925-26. Current status and plans for the building may be found in the Masterplan Report, Casa Peralta, City of San Leandro, 1974.

3. 400 block of Estudillo Avenue - Little Brown Church
This building, now boarded up and obscured by vegetation, is a classroom wing of the First Presbyterian Church of San Leandro. Rev. James McKinney Alexander dedicated the church in 1869. It was the third church building constructed in San Leandro and is the oldest such structure remaining. At present, there is community concern about the future of this building because it may be moved or demolished to make room for projected expansion of the Clarke Convalescent Hospital. For more information, see the Morning News, February 9, 1966, Page 4, and Harry Schaffer, "Saga of San Leandro," Studies in Local History, Vol. 13, 1973, page 71.

4. 1315 Clarke St. - Daniel Best Home
The popularly referred to "Best Home" was built in the early 1870's by Joseph Demont (it is noted that the assessor's office gave a probable 1900 construction date). The second owner of the building, in 1886, was Daniel Best, a San Leandro entrepreneur. Further information about Daniel Best may be found in Schaffer: see also Viola Webster, ''Days of Daniel Best," in William Halley, ed. Centennial Yearbook of Alameda County, 1876.

5. 1106 Hyde St. - Manuel Garcia Home
(corner of Hyde and Chumalia)
This home of the first prominent Portuguese settler in San Leandro was built in 1875. Garcia was the town's first dentist and one of the earliest businessmen including barber, ganker and fanner. The home was used as both a residence and business establishment. The original structure has been altered considerably as a result of various renovation projects, including the removal of a front porch and the addition of a side door. Information about Garcia's arrival in San Leandro (1864) is in Schaffer, Page 45 and San Leandro Recollections, March, 1972, Page 15.

6. 526 Lewelling - Capt. Roberts Home
This building, as is the case of the Garcia home, is of notable historic significance as well as architectural value. There is no record of its construction date, but the house is noted on a 1878 map of early San Leandro. The style is in the second French empire tradition of Victorian period construction, but the addition of stucco over the original siding lessens its architectural value. In 1850, Capt. Roberts lived at what is now known as Robert's Landing. He, was one of many squatters in that era who later became prominent community citizens. Further information about Roberts is in R.R. Stuart, San Leandro, A History, 1951.

7. 801 Davis - Southern Pacific Railroad Station
This railroad station, built in 1898, is now used as a freight office by the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. It is reminiscent of the single most important factor in the growth and development of San Leandro, the coming of the railroads in the late 19th century. The station is one of the last such buildings that served farmers and commuters in California before the arrival of autos and electric railways. For information, contact the State Board of Equalization and refer to S.P. Public Utility No. 872-1-90A, Parcel 2.

8. 642 Dolores (rear) - Little "Shul"
This is the first synagogue in San Leandro and possibly in the East Bay area: The building has been removed from its original location at 59 Chumalia Street to its present site behind the Beth Sholom Synagogue. It is the fourth house of worship built in San Leandro and is in excellent condition. Further information is in Schaffer, Pages 56 and 68 and Saga, Page 53.

9. 790 Antonio - IDES Hall. and Holy. Ghost Chapel
(Corner of Alvarado Street)
This site has been a Portuguese community center since 1882 and has been used annually ever since for the Holy Ghost celebration on Pentecost Sunday. The Holy Ghost Association moved into the IDES Hall (originally an old barn) in 1882. The chapel was built in the same year. Official records are kept at the U.P.E.C. offices.

10. Tree at Corner of Juana and Bancroft Avenues
This unusually shaped tree marks the site of the Gooch Estate and is considered to be of historical interest to many San Leandro citizens.

11. 1300 East 14th Street - Best Building
This white terracota-faced building with elegant classic revival ornamentation on the upper floor is typical of business buildings constructed at the turn of the century. It was built in 1910 by Daniel Best. It housed a bank and a theater and is presently the home of a savings and loan company.

12. 308 W. Joaquin Avenue
The house on this site, built in 1896, is typical of California homes built in the 1890's. Its architecture is commonly referred to as the San Francisco style, which combines a variety of Victorian characteristics. Often, only the "freaks" and/or magnificent mansions of a given period are preserved, rather than the common homes that more accurately reflect an architectural and historical period. This "stick style" example of San Francisco architecture combines the scollops, stained glass, bay window and porch ornamentation into a conservative version of the Queen Anne design built during the Victorian period.

13. 1363 Hayes Street
The blacksmith shop fronting on Hays Street and located at the rear of 308 West Joaquin Avenue, has educational value as an illustration of one of the many home craft endeavors common to the turn of the century and since given way to mass production.

14. 857 Estudillo
This structure, recently featured in Brightside (a Daily Review Saturday Supplement), is under restoration. Built circa 1890, the house reflects elements of Italianate design with its bracketed or rusticated corner quoins and pedimented window hoods. Except for the carport addition, it presents an accurate picture of a typical family home at the turn of the century.

15. 678 Juana
This well-cared for example of Victorian architecture with its boxed eaves and channel rustic siding is representative of the "Eastlake" style combined with the Queen Anne tradition, a melding that was popular from 1870-1890.

16. 397 Maud
The comparatively plain house on this site is one of many built in the 1880's. Its features include a partial Mansard roof, a bay window, and channel siding but not the fancy ornamentation of the later Queen Anne style. The Mansard roof represents the second empire styling of the 1860 to 1880 period.

17. 310-312 Warren
The style of this structure, Queen Anne Revival, is the most frequently encountered form of Victorian architecture. The house was built circa 1900 and is not pure in design as it exhibits details of other styles such as Eastlake and Romanesque.

18. 241 Joaquin
This modest home is a sample of the Salt Box style popular from 1880 to 1890. The house was built in 1885.

19. 659 Estudillo
This home is an example of the Modern Colonial Revival style (1915). Notice the boxed eaves, oval window, mitered corners and porch columns.

20. 525 Estudillo
Here is a sample of early 20th century combination of styles. The building has elements of the modem colonial style with porch pillars and gabled dormers along with elements of Queen Anne style represented by keyhole windows.

21. Orchard Street Neighborhood (Kanaka Lane)
The historical-architectural value of these properties lies in their combination as a "period neighborhood." The area was settled and built by immigrants from Portugal and Hawaii, many of whose descendants still reside in the neighborhood.

22. 444 Harlan Street
23. 383 Freda Street
24. 254 Callan Avenue
These structures represent part of Northern California's unique vernacular architecture. Unlike most rural water tanks, these are enclosed by a "house", often quite detailed in structure and style. Such water tank houses are rapidly disappearing from East Bay urban areas and should be preserved for their educational value, as well as for architectural attention.

25. 1931 Pacific Avenue - Monkey Puzzle Tree
This ornamental tree from South America (Araucaria imbricata) is becoming rare in its mature form. Like house styles, tastes in ornamental vegetation change. This species, planted in front of many homes at the turn of the century, has since been replaced by other types of ornamental vegetation. This is the best example of this species in San Leandro.

26. 647 Juana Avenue
27. 651 Juana Avenue
Redwood Trees
The redwood trees (Sequoia sempervirens) on these sites and on the grounds of Bancroft Junior High School are over a century old and represent the last sizable redwoods that once covered much of the East Bay hills. Many early San Leandro buildings were constructed from local redwood.

28. Old Lamplighters Home (28 Dabner Street)
This home is 108 years old and was the first house built in the new incorporated City of San Leandro. The original owners were Mr. and Mrs. P. Mattos. Mr. Mattos was the new town's first official "lamplighter" for that neighborhood. It's original location was the northeastern corner of Davis and Dabner Streets. In 1921 the home was moved back 75 feet to its present location at 28 Dabner St. The house is a two story wood frame structure. It's foundation is constructed of handmade brick and the house itself lies on 6 x 6 timbers on the brick foundation. Dabner Street was named for John Pimentel Dabner who came from the Azores to San Leandro in the 1860's.

REFERENCES
Bourna, J.N. "The Peraltas and their Houses," California Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. 30, No. 3, 1951.

Eggum, Andrew. "Peralta Home (New Alta Mira Club)," unpublished paper, San Leandro City Library.

Gebhard, David, et al. A Guide to Architecture in San Francisco and Northern California. Santa Barbara: Peregrine Smith, 1973.

Kirker, Harold. California' s Architectural Frontier: Style and Tradition in the 19th Century, San Marino: Huntington Library, 1960.

Shaffer ,Harry E. A Garden Grows in Eden. San Leandro Centennial Committee, 1972.

--------. "Saga of San Leandro," Studies in Local History, Vol. 13, 1973.

Stuart, R.R. San Leandro...A History. San Leandro: First Methodist Church, 1951.

Webster, Viola. "Days of Daniel Best," in William Halley, ed. Centennial Yearbook of Alameda County. Oakland, 1876.

EO:cbr (10)
8/13/74
8/14/74 (Revised)
1-26-79 (Revised)
2-17-81 (Revised)

San Leandro's Official Centennial Song

Here are the lyrics to San Leandro's Official Centennial Song:

San Leandro Is Where My Heart Is
And I'd love to return again
Where peaceful days went by in sunshine, And
flowers bloomed to blend with the soft bay winds and
clear blue skies when we began to know, San Leandro
the hills are calling, with the
sounds of the days gone by.
Friends started, to last a liftime as we
follow our path leading home again;
Mem'ries' path leads us home again.
San Le-gain

History of San Leandro City Council and Mayors

The first municipal election for the Board of Trustees of the Town of San Leandro was held in May 1872 and its first resignation came less than a month later. At that time, elections were held every year and the Board of Trustees consisted of five members who elected one of the members as Board President.

Familiar names like J.A. Estudillo, and Talcut P. Cary (who donated the land for the public library) were elected before 1892, when San Leandro began holding elections once every four years in April. C.L. Best was elected in 1904 and Allen E. Pelton was elected in 1916.

In 1927, the titles were changed from Board of Trustees to City Council and the Board President became the Mayor of the City.

In 1940, Helen L.C. Lawrence was elected to the City Council and in May 1941, she became the first Portuguese Mayor of a city in the United States.

Jack Maltester was first elected to the City Council in 1956 and became Mayor in 1958. In 1962, Maltester became the first Mayor elected directly by the residents of San Leandro instead of the City Council. Mario Polvorosa was appointed to the City Council in 1965. Maltester was re-elected in 1966, 1970, and 1974. Maltester was forced to leave office after term limits were enacted and he had served as Mayor for 20 years.

Former City Councilmembers have gone on to serve on the San Leandro School Board (Linda Perry), the San Leandro Personnel Relations Board (William Jardin and Kent Myers), San Leandro Mayor (Ellen Corbett, John Faria, Shelia Young, and Tony Santos), Oro Loma Sanitary District (Howard Kerr), California State Assembly (Johan Klehs and Ellen Corbett), and California State Senate (Ellen Corbett).

Below is a complete history of the City Council/Board of Trustees for the City/Town of San Leandro from 1872 to present:

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF SAN LEANDRO
CHARTERED MARCH 21, 1872

Key
* Signifies person was ELECTED to office
+ Signifies person was APPOINTED to office to fill a vacancy between elections

May 13, 1872 – 1st General Municipal Election
* Ammerman, Isaac A. – 1st President elected by the Board
* Collingridge, Joseph
* Covell, A.T.
* Hazelhurst, William
* Huff, S.

Resigned
William Hazelhurst – June 10, 1872

Replaced
+ W.T. Thrasher – June 10, 1872 - replaced Hazelhurst

May 5, 1873 – 2nd General Municipal Election
* Baldwin, Alex
* Collingridge, Joseph – 2nd President elected by the Board
* Covell, A.T.
* LaGrange, M.C.
* Payne, George H.

May 4, 1874 – 3rd General Municipal Election
* Covell, A.T.
* Demont, Joseph – 3rd President elected by the Board
* LaGrange, M.C.
* Price, Jacob
* Reid, William W.

May 3, 1875 – 4th General Municipal Election
* Baldwin, Alex
* Covell, A.T. – 4th President elected by the Board
* Demont, Joseph
* Estudillo, J.A.
Smith, George – tie vote with S. Huff, installed but defeated in run-off election

Run-Off election
* S. Huff – May 29, 1875 - defeated George Smith in run-off election

Resigned
A.T. Covell – September 8, 1875

5th President elected by the Board
Joseph Demont – October 4, 1875

Resigned
Alex Baldwin – March 6, 1876

Replaced
+ William W. Reid – March 20, 1876 - replaced Covell

May 1, 1876 – 5th General Municipal Election
* Demont, Joseph – elected President by the Board
* Estudillo, J.A.
* Huff, S.
* LaGrange, M.C.
* Reid, William W.

May 7, 1877 – 6th General Municipal Election
* Demont, Joseph – elected President by the Board
* Estudillo, J.A.
* Huff, S.
* LaGrange, M.C.
* Reid, William W.

May 6, 1878 – 7th General Municipal Election
* Christie, O.H. – 6th President elected by the Board
* McIntyre, R.
* Meyer, Fred
* Powell, H.C.
* Stone, T.N.

May 5, 1879 – 8th General Municipal Election
* Christie, O.H. – elected President by the Board
* Dasher, Samuel
* Knowles, J.S., Sr.
* Morehouse, L.C.
* Smith, George

May 3, 1880 – 9th General Municipal Election
* Cary, Talcut P.
* Crane, H.F. – 7th President elected by the Board
* Knowles, J.S., Sr.
* Morehouse, L.C.
* Parker, R.

May 2, 1881 – 10th General Municipal Election
* Cary, Talcut P.
* Crane, H.F. – elected President by the Board
* Knowles, J.S., Sr.
* Quinn, J.E.
vacancy because of tie vote

Run-Off election
* Robert Parker – May 21, 1881 - won run-off election

Discharged
Robert Parker – September 20, 1881 - moved from Town and was discharged

Replacement
+ S. Huff – September 20, 1881 - replaced Parker

Deceased
J.S. Knowles, Sr. – November 15, 1881 - passed away

Replacement
+ O.H. Christie – December 5, 1881 - replaced Knowles

May 1, 1882 – 11th General Municipal Election
* Cary, Talcut P.
* Christie, O.H. – 8th President elected by the Board
* Dickenson, F.S.
* Kirkman, E. – elected but declined to serve
* Matz, Henry

Replacement
+ Thomas Goodman – May 15, 1882 - replaced Kirkman

Discharged
O.H. Christie – August 7, 1882 - moved from Town and was discharged

Replacement
+ M.L. Rawson – August 7, 1882 - replaced Christie

Elected
Talcut P. Cary – August 7, 1882 - 9th President elected by the Board

Discharged
Henry Matz – January 8, 1883 - moved from Town and was discharged

Replacement
+ Ira H. Bradshaw – February 5, 1883 - replaced Matz

May 7, 1883 – 12th General Municipal Election
* Crane, H.F.
* Eber, H.F.
* Goodman, Thomas
* Huff, S.
* Rawson, M.L. – 10th President elected by the Board

Resigned
S.Huff – November 12, 1883

Replacement
+ H.C. Powell – November 12, 1883 - replaced Huff

May 3, 1884 – 13th General Municipal Election
* Conner, F.C.
* Crane, H.F.
* Goodman, Thomas
* Powell, H.C. – 11th President elected by the Board
* Reid, William W.

May 4, 1885 – 14th General Municipal Election
* Collins, A.J.
* Garcia, M.J.
* Goodman, Thomas
* Knowles, J.S.
* Rawson, M.L. – 12th President elected by the Board

May 3, 1886 – 15th General Municipal Election
* Collins, A.J.
* Garcia, M.J.
* Goodman, Thomas – 13th President elected by the Board
* Hansen, N.L.
* Reid, William W.

Resigned
William W. Reid – March 7, 1887

Replacement
+ David Ury – March 7, 1887 – replaced Reid

May 2, 1887 – 16th General Municipal Election
* Bryant, F.
* Eber, H.F.
* Gallet, J.A.
* Rawson, M.L. – 14th President elected by the Board
vacancy because of a tie vote

Run-Off election
M.J. Garcia – May 23, 1887 - won run-off election

Elected
J.A. Gallet – November 7, 1887 - 15th President elected by the Board

Resigned
M.L. Rawson – November 7, 1887

Replacement
+ J.M.C. Platt – November 7, 1887 - replaced Rawson

May 7, 1888 – 17th General Municipal Election
* Bryant, Fred – 16th President elected by the Board
* Downie, George
* Peters, W.S.
* Price, J.
* Quinn, J.E.

Resigned
J. Price – December 17, 1888

Replacement
+ L.C. Morehouse – December 17, 1888 - replaced Price

May 6, 1889 – 18th General Municipal Election
* Cary, A.B.
* Estudillo, J.M.
* Garcia, M.J.
* Gray, B.D. – 17th President Elected by the Board
* Hawes, B.C.

May 5, 1890 – 19th General Municipal Election
* Cary, A.B.
* Eber, H.F.
* Estudillo, J.M.
* Gray, B.D. – reelected President by the Board
* Hawes, B.C.

May 4, 1891 – 20th General Municipal Election
* Bryant, Fred – 18th President elected by the Board
* Gray, B.D.
* Rideout, C.Q.
* Sturtevant, N.G.
vacancy because of a tie vote

Run-Off election
* W.H. Gray – May 16, 1891 - won run-off election

May 2, 1892 – 21st General Municipal Election
* Eber, H.F. – 19th President elected by the Board
* Goodman, Thomas
* Hansen, N.L.
* Quinn, J.E.
* Sturtevant, N.G.

November 8, 1892
Special Charter amendment election changed Town to CITY OF SAN LEANDRO and placed City election requirements under the General Laws of the State of California. Elections hereafter held every even-numbered year in April and the terms of office are four (4) years.

December 23, 1892 – 22nd General Municipal Election – all terms to April 1894
* Dawborn, C.A.
* Eber, H.F. – reelected President by the Board
* Estudillo, J.M.
* Goodman, Thomas
* Hansen, N.L.

April 9, 1894 – 23rd General Municipal Election
* Bettencourt, M. (4 year term by lot)
* Bilger, F.W. (2 year term by lot)
* Cary, Talcut P. (4 year term by lot)
* Eber, H.F. (2 year term by lot)
* Gray, B.D. – 20th President elected by the Board (2 year term by lot)

Resigned
F.W. Bilger – January 7, 1895

Replacement
+ George Downie – January 7, 1895 - replaced Bilger

April 15, 1896 – 24th General Municipal Election
Bettencourt, M.
Cary, Talcut P.
* Downie, George
* Eber, H.F.
* Gray, B.D. – reelected President by the Board

April 11, 1898 – 25th General Municipal Election
* Cary, A.B.
Downie, George
Eber, H.F.
* Gallet, J.A.
Gray, B.D. – reelected President by the Board

April 9, 1900 – 26th General Municipal Election
Cary, A.B.
* Eber, H.F.
Gallet, J.A. – 21st President elected by the Board
* Quinn, J.E.
* Ritter, M.V.

Resigned
M.V. Ritter – October 21, 1901

Replacement
+ John F. Hopper – October 25, 1901 - replaced Ritter

April 14, 1902 – 27th General Municipal Election
* Barbeiro, J.I.
Eber, H.F. – 22nd President elected by the Board
* Hopper, John F.
* Lynch, O.J.
Quinn, J.E.

April 11, 1904 – 28th General Municipal Election
Barbeiro, J.I.
* Best, C.L.
* Gill, John J.
* Hoerst, Ed
Lynch, O.J. – 23rd President elected by the Board

April 9, 1906 – 29th General Municipal Election
Best, C.L.
* Eber, F. Budd
Gill, John J. – 24th President elected by the Board
Hoerst, Ed
* Santana, John M.

April 13, 1908 – 30th General Municipal Election
Eber, F. Budd
* Gill, John J. – reelected Chairman by the Board (title changed to Chairman)
* Rideout, C.Q.
Santana, J.M.
* Toffelmier, L.J.

Resigned
C.Q. Rideout – September 14, 1909

Replacement
+ F.C. Stoakes – September 20, 1909 - replaced Rideout

April 12, 1910 – 31st General Municipal Election
* Andrade, M.J.
* Coleman, C.L.
Gill, John J. – reelected Chairman by the Board
* Schmidt, Fred
Toffelmier, L.

April 8, 1912 – 32nd General Municipal Election
Andrade, M.J.
Coleman, C.L.
* Gill, John J. – reelected Chairman by the Board
* Rogers, M.S.
* Schmidt, W.F.

April 8, 1914 – 33rd General Municipal Election
Gill, John J. – reelected Chairman by the Board
* Reichsroth, H.L.
Rogers, M.S.
Schmidt, W.F.
* Sehorn, W.A.

Resigned
W.F. Schmidt – August 31, 1915
W.A. Sehorn – August 31, 1915

Replacement
+ J.A. Gallet – August 31, 1915 - replaced Schmidt
1 vacancy existing (Sehorn)

Resigned
M.S. Rogers – September 2, 1915
Replacement
+ A.L. Rogers – September 2, 1915 - replaced Sehorn
1 vacancy existing (M.S. Rogers)

Resigned
John J. Gill – September 13, 1915

Replacement
+ John J. Gill – September 20, 1915 - replaced himself

Elected
J.A. Gallet – September 20, 1915 - 25th Chairman elected by the Board

Resigned
H.L. Reichsroth – October 12, 1915

Elected
John J.Gill – October 18, 1915 - 26th Chairman elected by the Board
2 vacancies existing (M.S. Rogers and Reichsroth)

Replacement
+ F. B. Granger – November 1, 1915 - replaced M.S. Rogers
1 vacancy existing (Reichsroth)

April 12, 1916 – 34th General Municipal Election
* Geisenhofer, Michael (4 year term)
* Granger, Farley B. (4 year term)
* Pelton, Allen E. – 27th Chairman elected by the Board (2 year term)
* Rideout, Charles, Q. (4 year term)
* Rodrigues, M.P. (2 year term)

April 8, 1918 – 35th General Municipal Election
Geisenhofer, Michael
Granger, Farley B.
* Pelton, Allen E. – reelected Chairman by the Board
Rideout, Charles Q.
* Toffelmier, L.J.

April 12, 1920 – 36th General Municipal Election
* Dalziel, Mrs. S.A.
* Granger, Farley B.
Pelton, Allen E. – reelected Chairman by the Board
* Reichsroth, H.L.
Toffelmier, L.J.

April 10, 1922 – 37th General Municipal Election
Dalziel, Mrs. S.A.
* Duck, Edwin
Granger, Farley B.
* Pelton, Allen E. – reelected Chairman by the Board
Reichsroth, H.L.

April 7, 1924 – 38th General Municipal Election
* Bronstein, Howard
* Davies, W.O.
Duck, Edwin – 28th Chairman elected by the Board
Pelton, Allen E.
* Reid, F.J.

Resigned
Allen E. Pelton, – April 17, 1924 - resigned effective April 21, 1924

Replacement
+ L.H. Bill – May 5, 1924 - replaced Pelton

Resigned
W.O. Davies – January 4, 1926

Replacement
+ Chester A. Gossett – January 4, 1926 - replaced Davies

April 12, 1926 – 39th General Municipal Election
Bronstein, Howard
* Hall, George, W.
* Landis, Herbert L.
Reid, F.J.
* Theyson, August C. – 29th Chairman elected by the Board

Resigned
Howard Bronstein – April 19, 1926
F.J. Reid – April 19, 1926

Replacement
+ Oscar F. Chichester – April 27, 1926 - replaced Bronstein
+ Andrew Miller – April 27, 1926 - replaced Reid

Resigned
August C. Theyson – September 7, 1926

Replacement
+ J. Dalziel – September 7, 1926 - replaced Theyson

Elected
Herbert L. Landis – September 7, 1926 - 30th Chairman elected by the Board

Resigned
Oscar F. Chichester – June 20, 1927

Replacement
A.P. Brown – July 11, 1927 - replaced Chichester

August 1, 1927
Titles changed from Board of Trustees to CITY COUNCIL and from Chairman of the Board of Trustees to MAYOR of the City. Mayor still chosen by members of the City Council from among their numbers.

Resigned
J. Dalziel – October 3, 1927

Replacement
+ William Richardson – October 17, 1927 - replaced Dalziel

April 9, 1928 – 40th General Municipal Election
* DeCou, Jerry W. – 31st Mayor elected by the City Council
* Gill, John J.
Hall, George W.
Landis, Herbert L.
* Miller, Andrew

April 13, 1930 – 41st General Municipal Election
DeCou, Jerry W. – reelected Mayor by City Council
Gill, John, J.
* Kientz, Edward B.
* Landis, Herbert L.
Miller, Andrew

August 31, 1931 – Special Election to Recall all Members of the City Council
* DeCou, Jerry W. – reelected Mayor by City Council
* Kientz, Edward B.
* Landis, Herbert L.
* Lee, W.B.
* Nashman, Albert

Recalled
John J. Gill
Andrew Miller

NOTE: This recall election resulted from an order by certain members of the City Council to have the activities of Marshall Joseph F. Peralta investigated.

Resigned
W.B. Lee – October 21, 1931

Replacement
+ Roland Esteves – November 4, 1931 - replaced Lee

April 11, 1932 – 42nd General Municipal Election
* Derry, Earl
* Holshauser, William
Kientz, Edward B.
Landis, Herbert L.
* Weldon, George – 32nd Mayor elected by the City Council

April 9, 1934 – 43rd General Municipal Election
* Billings, R.L.
Derry, Earl – 33rd Mayor elected by the City Council
Holshauser, William
* Thomas, A.B.
Weldon, George

Resigned
William Holshauser – October 7, 1935

Replacement
+ C.L. Orendorff – October 7, 1935 - replaced Holshauser

Resigned
George Weldon – November 4, 1935

Replacement
+ Helen L.C. Lawrence – December 2, 1935 - replaced Weldon

April 13, 1936 – 44th General Municipal Election
Billings, Raymond L. – 34th Mayor elected by the City Council
* Derry, Earl
* Groves, James F.
* Lawrence, Helen L.C.
Thomas, A.B.

Resigned
Raymond L. Billings – May 3, 1937 - resigned to accept appointment as City Manager

Replacement
+ C.L. Orendorff, – May 3, 1937 - replaced Billings

Elected
Earl Derry – May 3, 1937 - 35th Mayor elected by the City Council

April 11, 1938 – 45th General Municipal Election
Derry, Earl – reelected Mayor by the City Council
Groves, James F.
Lawrence, Helen L.C.
* Orendorff, C.L.
* Thomas, A.B.

April 8, 1940 – 46th General Municipal Election
* DuTiel, Mark – 36th Mayor elected by the City Council
* Groves, James F.
* Lawrence, Helen L.C.
Orendorff, C.L.
Thomas, A.B.

Resigned
Mark DuTiel – May 21, 1941

Elected
Helen L.C. Lawrence, – May 21, 1941 - 37th Mayor appointed by the City Council
1 vacancy existing

Replacement
+ Edwin L. Smith – June 2, 1941 - replaced DuTiel

April 14, 1942 – 47th General Municipal Election
* Dalton, Phil
Groves, James F.
* Knick, Thomas O.
Lawrence, Helen L.C. – reappointed Mayor by City Council
* Thomas, A.B.

April 11, 1944 – 48th General Municipal Election
* Groves, James F.
Knick, Thomas O. – 38th Mayor appointed by the City Council
* Lawrence, Helen L.C.
* Magnat, Ernest P.
Thomas, A.B.

April 9, 1946 – 49th General Municipal Election
Groves, James F.
* Knick, Thomas O. – reelected Mayor by City Council
Lawrence, Helen L.C.
Magnat, Ernest P.
* Musson, Richard H.

Resigned
James F. Groves – November 17, 1947

Replacement
+ William Swift – November 17, 1947 - replaced Groves

Resigned
Helen L.C. Lawrence – January 5, 1948

Replacement
+ Jack D. Maltester – January 5, 1948 - replaced Lawrence

April 13, 1948 – 50th General Municipal Election
* Bellini, Joseph O. – 39th Mayor elected by the City Council
* Dunnigan, Halsey E.
Knick, Thomas O.
Musson, Richard H.
* Seeley, Leonard – elected Vice Mayor by the City Council

December 16, 1949
Special Charter Amendment Election changed size of the City Council from five (5) members to seven (7) members.

Resigned
Joseph O. Bellini – December 19, 1949 - resigned from position of Mayor, not from City Council

Appointed
+ Kenneth A. Burge – December 19, 1949 - 6th member of City Council per Charter Amendment
+ William E. Dunning – December 19, 1949 - 7th member of City Council per Charter Amendment

Elected
Halsey E. Dunnigan – December 19, 1949 - elected Vice Mayor by City Council
Leonard Seeley – December 19, 1949 - 40th Mayor elected to City Council

April 4, 1950 – 51st General Municipal Election
Bellini, Jospeh O.
* Cannizzaro, Antone
Dunnigan, Halsey E. – reelected Vice Mayor by City Council
* Knick, Thomas O.
* Musson, Richard H.
Seeley, Leonard
* Swift, William – 41st Mayor elected by the City Council

Resigned
William Swift – April 16, 1951 - resigned from position of Mayor, not from City Council

Elected
Halsey E. Dunnigan – May 7, 1951 - reelected Vice Mayor by City Council
Thomas O. Knick – May 7, 1951 - 42nd Mayor elected by the City Council

April 8, 1952 – 52nd General Municipal Election
* Bellini, Joseph O.
Cannizzaro, Antone
* Dunnigan, Halsey E. – reelected Vice Mayor by the City Council
Knick, Thomas O. – reelected Mayor by the City Council
Musson, Richard H.
Swift, William
* Vlahos, Sam J.

August 11, 1952
Special Charter Amendment Election provided for creation of six (6) Councilmanic Districts to be as equal as possible in registered voters. Six (6) City Councilmen to be nominated from districts and one (1) to be nominated from the City at large. All to be elected by the electorate At Large. Nominees at large and nominees from
odd-numbered districts to be elected at next General Municipal Election. Nominees from even-numbered districts to be elected at next succeeding General Municipal Election.

Note: All names will be followed by a number in parentheses to designate the Councilmanic District from which that person was nominated. The letters ‘AL’ will designate the At Large position.

November 21, 1952
Ordinance No. 887 New Series established the 1st Councilmanic Districts

April 13, 1954 – 53rd General Municipal Election
Bellini, Joseph O. (2)
* Dunnigan, Halsey E. (3) – reelected Vice Mayor by the City Council
* Kant, Alvin W. (5)
* Knick, Thomas O. (AL) – reelected Mayor by the City Council
* Swift, William (1)
Vlahos, Sam J. (4)
vacancy (6)

Vacancy filled
+ James R. Frazier (6) – April 20, 1954 - filled vacancy caused by Councilmanic Districts

March 26, 1955
Ordinance No. 968 New Series changed Councilmanic District boundaries
because of Foothill Manor and Halcyon area annexations.

Resigned
Joseph O. Bellini (2) – July 11, 1955 - resigned but resolution not accepted

Resignation Declination
Joseph O. Bellini (2) – July 18, 1955 - resignation declined by resolution

Withdrawn Resignation
Joseph O. Bellini (2) – July 25, 1955 - withdrew resignation

Elected
Halsey E. Dunnigan (3) – August 1, 1955 - 43rd Mayor elected by the City
Council
Alvin W. Kant (5) – August 1, 1955 - elected Vice Mayor by the City Council

Resigned
Halsey E. Dunnigan (3) – February 6, 1956

Elected
Alvin W. Kant (5) – February 20, 1956 - 44th Mayor elected by the City Council
Sam J. Vlahos (4) – February 20, 1956 - elected Vice Mayor by the City Council
1 vacancy existing (3)

April 10, 1956 – 54th General Municipal Election
* Bellini, Joseph O. (2)
* Frazier, James R. (6)
* Gill, Valance (4)
Kant, Alvin W. (5)
Knick, Thoms O. (AL) – 45th Mayor elected by the City Council
* Maltester, Jack D. (3) – elected Vice Mayor by the City Council (see CC 1948,
* Swift, William (1) CSB 1954)

October 28, 1957
Ordinance No. 1093 New Series changed Councilmanic District boundaries
because of Washington Manor and Mulford Gardens annexations.

April 8, 1958 – 55th General Municipal Election
Bellini, Joseph O. (6)
Frazier, James R. (4)
Gill, Valance (2) – elected Vice Mayor by City Council
* Kant, Alvin W. (1)
* Maltester, Jack D. (AL) – 46th Mayor elected by the City Council
* Swift, William (5)
* Taylor, Robert J. (3)

Resigned
Joseph O. Bellini (6) – June 9, 1958

Replacement
+ Kenneth G. Cheatham (6) – June 30, 1958 - replaced Bellini (see BZA 1957)

April 12, 1960 – 56th General Municipal Election
* Cheatham, Kenneth G. (6)
* Gill, Valance (2) – reelected Vice Mayor by the City Council
Kant, Alvin W. (1)
Maltester, Jack D. (AL) – reelected Mayor by City Council
* Suerstedt, William F. (4) – (see P/C 1958 and BZA 1958)
Swift, William (5)
Taylor, Robert J. (3)

May 2, 1960
Ordinance No. 1265 New Series established new Councilmanic District boundaries per Charter requirement.

February 16, 1961
Special Charter Amendment Election provided for abolishment of At Large City Councilman position and created position of Mayor to be nominated and elected At Large at the same time as nominees for City Council from odd-numbered Councilmanic Districts.

April 10, 1962 – 57th General Municipal Election
Cheatham, Kenneth G. (6)
Gill, Valance (2) – reelected Vice Mayor by City Council
* Kant, Alvin W. (1)
* Maltester, Jack D. – 1st Mayor elected by electorate
Suerstedt, William F. (4)
* Swift, William (5)
* Taylor, Robert J. (3)

April 14, 1964 – 58th General Municipal Election
* Borre, Louis J. (6) - (see CSB 1955)
Kant, Alvin W. (1)
Maltester, Jack D. – Mayor
* Pomares, Gregory V. (2)
* Suerstedt, William F. (4)
Swift, William (5) – elected Vice Mayor by the City Council
Taylor, Robert J. (3)

Resigned
Louis J. Borre (6) – October 4, 1965 – moved from City

Replacement
+ Mario J. Polvorosa (6) – November 1, 1965 - replaced Borre

January 7, 1966
Ordinance No. 66-3 established new Councilmanic District boundaries per Charter requirement.

April 12, 1966 – 59th General Municipal Election
* Kant, Alvin W. (1) – elected Vice Mayor by the Council
* Maltester, Jack D. – Mayor
* Polvorosa, Mario J. (6)
Pomares, Gregory V. (2)
Suerstedt, William F. (4)
* Swift, William (5)
* Taylor, Robert J. (3)

April 9, 1968 – 60th General Municipal Election
Kant, Alvin W. – reelected Vice Mayor by the City Council
Maltester, Jack D. – Mayor
* Polvorosa, Mario J. (6)
* Pomares, Gregory V. (2)
* Suerstedt, William F. (4)
Swift, William (5)
Taylor, Robert J. (3)

Resigned
Robert J. Taylor (3) – November 4, 1968 - resigned at the request of the City Council

Replacement
+ Joseph F. Gancos (3) – December 2, 1968 - replaced Taylor

Deceased
William Swift (5) – February 6, 1969 - passed away

Replacement
+ LeRoy V. Woods (5) – March 17, 1969 - replaced Swift

April 14, 1970 – 61st General Municipal Election
* Coppa, Joseph J. (3)
* Kant, Alvin W. (1) – reelected Vice Mayor by the City Council
* Maltester, Jack D. – reelected Mayor by electorate
* Nahm, Al (5)
Polvorosa, Mario J. (6)
Pomares, Gregory V. (2)
Suerstedt, William F. (4)

January 10, 1972
Ordinance No 72-1 established new Councilmanic District boundaries per Charter requirement.

April 11, 1972 – 62nd General Municipal Election
Coppa, Joseph J. (3)
* Gill, Valance (2)
Kant, Alvin W. (1) – reelected Vice Mayor by the City Council
Maltester, Jack D. – Mayor
Nahm, Al (5)
* Polvorosa, Mario J. (6)
* Suerstedt, William F. (4)

September 10, 1973
Ordinance No. 73-59 established new Councilmanic District boundaries by population per Supreme Court decision.

Deceased
Alvin W. Kant – December 4, 1973 - passed away

Replacement
+ Myron E. Temple (1) – December 27, 1973 - appointed to replace Kant

Elected
William F. Suerstedt – December 27, 1973 - elected Vice Mayor by City Council

April 9, 1974 – 63rd General Municipal Election
* Coppa, Joseph J. (3)
* Frazier, Faith (1) (see Library 1962)
Gill, Valance (2)
* Maltester, Jack D. – reelected Mayor by electorate
Polvorosa, Mario J. (6)
* Seymon, Gunther (5)
Suerstedt, William F. (4)

April 9, 1974
Charter amendment adopted limiting City Council members to two consecutive terms.

Elected
Mario J. Polvorosa (6) – May 5, 1975 - elected Vice Mayor by the City Council.

April 13, 1976 – 64th General Municipal Election
Coppa, Joseph J. (3)
Frazier, Faith (1)
* Gill, Valance (2)
* Landis, L.N. “Judge” (4)
Maltester, Jack D. – Mayor
Seymon, Gunner (5)
* Soares, Richard D. (6)

Elected
Joseph J. Coppa (3) – April 20, 1976 - elected Vice Mayor by the City Council

Elected
Valance Gill (2) – April 11, 1977 - elected Vice Mayor by the City Council

April 11, 1978 – 65th General Municipal Election
* Frazier, Faith (1)
* Gill, Valance – 47th Mayor – 2nd Mayor elected by electorate
* Klehs, Johan (3)
Landis, L.N. (4)
* Seymon, Gunner (5) – elected Vice Mayor by the City Council
* Soares, Richard D. (6)
Vacancy (2) – [Gill resigned from District 2 seat]

Replacement
+ Donald W. McGue (2) – April 24, 1978 - appointed to replace Gill
(see CSB 1974)

Elected
Faith Frazier (1) – May 7, 1979 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council

April 8, 1980 – 66th General Municipal Election
Frazier, Faith (1)
Gill, Valance – Mayor
Klehs, Johan (3)
* Landis, L.N. (4)
* McGue, Donald W. (2)
Seymon, Gunner (5)
* Soares, Richard D. (6)

Elected
L.N. Landis (4) – May 19, 1980 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council

Designation
Richard Soares – May 4, 1981 - appointed Vice Mayor

April 13, 1982 – 67th General Municipal Election
* Gill, Valance – reelected Mayor by electorate
* Jardin, William F. “Bill” (5)
* Karp, David (1)
Landis, L.N. “Judge” (4)
McGue, Donald W. “Don” (2)
Soares, Richard D. “Rich” (6)
* Suchman, Edwin J. “Ed” (3)

Designation
Don McGue – May 3, 1982 - appointed Vice Mayor

Designation
Bill Jardin – May 2, 1983 - appointed Vice Mayor

April 10, 1984 – 68th General Municipal Election
Gill, Valance (Mayor)
* Glaze, Robert H. “Bob” (4)
Jardin, William F. “Bill” (5)
Karp, David (1)
* McGue, Donald W. (2)
* Santos, Anthony B. (6)
Suchman, Edwin J. “Ed” (3)

Designation
Dave Karp – May 7, 1984 - appointed Vice Mayor

Designation
Ed Suchman – May 6, 1985 - appointed Vice Mayor

April 8, 1986 – 69th General Municipal Election
* Faria, John E. (1)
Glaze, Robert H. “Bob” (4)
* Jardin, William F. “Bill” (5)
* Karp, David S. “Dave” – Mayor
McGue, Donald W. “Don” (2)
Santos, Anthony B. “Tony” (6)
* Suchman, Edwin J. “Ed” (3)

Elected
Robert H. Glaze (4) – May 5, 1986 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council

Elected
Anthony B. Santos (6) – May 4, 1987 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council

April 12, 1988 – 70th General Municipal Election
* Faria, John E. – Vice Mayor (1)
Glaze, Robert H. (4)
Jardin, William F. “Bill” (5)
Karp, Dave – Mayor (At Large) (1)
* Perry, Linda (2)
Santos, Anthony B. “Tony” (6)
Suchman, Edwin J. “Ed” (3)

Appointed
John E. Faria – May 2, 1988 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council.

Appointed
Linda Perry – May 15, 1989 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council.

April 10, 1990 – 71st General Municipal Election
* Corbett, Ellen M. (5)
Faria, John E. (1)
Glaze, Robert H. “Bob” (4)
* Karp, Dave - Mayor (At Large) (1)
Perry, Linda – Vice Mayor (2)
* Polvorosa, Julian P. (3)
Santos, Anthony B. “Tony” (6)

Appointed
Robert H. Glaze – May 7, 1990 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council.

Appointed
Robert H. Glaze – May 6, 1991 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council.

April 14, 1992 – 72nd General Municipal Election
Corbett, Ellen (5)
Faria, John E. (1)
Karp, Dave – Mayor (At Large) (1)
* Kerr, Howard (4)
* Myers, Kent W. (6)
* Perry, Linda (2)
Polvorosa, Julian P. (3)

Appointed
John Faria (1) – May 4, 1992 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council.

Appointed
Julian Polvorosa (3) – May 3, 1993 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council.

Deceased
Karp, Dave – May 30, 1993 - passed away.

Appointed
John Faria (1) – June 7, 1993 - appointed Mayor by the City Council through the next election (April 1994).

Appointed
Paul Nahm – June 28, 1993 - appointed to fill vacancy in District 1 (created by the appointment of John Faria to Mayor).

April 12, 1994 – 73rd General Municipal Election
* Corbett, Ellen M. – Mayor (At Large) (5)
* Galvan, Gordon A. (1)
Kerr, Howard (4)
* Loeffler, Garry A. (5)
Myers, Kent W. (6)
Perry, Linda (2)
* Polvorosa, Julian (3)

Appointed
Kent Myers – May 2, 1994 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council.

Appointed
Howard Kerr – May 1, 1995 - appointed Vice Mayor by the City Council.

March 26, 1996 – 74th General Municipal Election (first consolidated Election with Alameda County)
Corbett, Ellen M. – Mayor (At Large) (5)
Galvan, Gordon A. (1)
* Glaze, Bob (4)
Loeffler, Garry A. (5)
* Lothrop, Joanne M. (6)
Polvorosa, Julian (3)
* Young, Shelia (2)

June 3, 1997 – Special Municipal Election
Re: Special Tax for Emergency Medical Services – Measure “J”

“An Emergency Medical Services (EMS) tax approved to continue and fund emergency fire dispatch, fire apparatus based paramedics, and other EMS related programs which will support the delivery of emergency medical services requiring basic and advanced life support, in a yearly amount of $9.90 per family/benefit unit, with an annual adjustment based on the Consumer Price