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Images of America: California
Early Hayward
The vibrant East Bay city of Hayward was named for William Hayward, a 49er and American squatter who endeared himself to Mexican landowner Guillermo Castro by making him a good pair of boots. With Castro's permission, William stayed to open Hayward's Hotel on what is now Main and A Streets. That fortuitous location, near the convergence of the eight tributaries forming San Lorenzo Creek, made the region a natural transportation hub between the bay and the fertile Livermore Valley. Stagecoach lines, a narrow-gauge railroad, and later modern transportation links encouraged more immigrants to settle. Today Hayward is a diverse city of almost 150,000 people, and home to a campus of the California State University.
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 30, 2011
Recently read two books about the local history of the area where I'm now living. The first of those two books is Early Hayward by Robert Phelps.
I grew up in a suburb of San Diego that could trace its history back only about two decades before I was born. It's history is within living memory of my grandfather and father. This lack of history is part and parcel of being the child of baby-boomers in a western state.
As it turns out I'm now living in a home that's only as old as I am but its adjacent to areas that have a longer history being the former ranch of Guillermo Castro and before that native American lands.
With that in mind and being relatively new to the area I crave local history. Early Hayward by Robert Phelps, a history professor at nearby Cal State East Bay, outlines the timeline of Hayward from the time it was just a hotel run by William Hayward on Castro's land at the corner of what's now A and Main, through the city being "Haywards" to ultimately dropping the s and becoming Hayward.
The photographs from the local historical society are the best parts of the book. There are also a few maps and it is fun compare modern day street layout to what it used to be like. For instance, I learned that my street used to be Cemetery Road. That's a much more descriptive name given that the street changes name at a cemetery just up the hill.
I own the Castro Valley book from the same series but Early Hayward I borrowed from my local library.
I grew up in a suburb of San Diego that could trace its history back only about two decades before I was born. It's history is within living memory of my grandfather and father. This lack of history is part and parcel of being the child of baby-boomers in a western state.
As it turns out I'm now living in a home that's only as old as I am but its adjacent to areas that have a longer history being the former ranch of Guillermo Castro and before that native American lands.
With that in mind and being relatively new to the area I crave local history. Early Hayward by Robert Phelps, a history professor at nearby Cal State East Bay, outlines the timeline of Hayward from the time it was just a hotel run by William Hayward on Castro's land at the corner of what's now A and Main, through the city being "Haywards" to ultimately dropping the s and becoming Hayward.
The photographs from the local historical society are the best parts of the book. There are also a few maps and it is fun compare modern day street layout to what it used to be like. For instance, I learned that my street used to be Cemetery Road. That's a much more descriptive name given that the street changes name at a cemetery just up the hill.
I own the Castro Valley book from the same series but Early Hayward I borrowed from my local library.
July 10, 2021
I have to read this book many times to absorb the information. I always forget it.
In the 1600s and before, Hayward (formerly Haywood and Haywards) was inhabited by Ohlone hunters and gatherers. In the 1700s, a Spanish don named Castro took ownership of the areas of Hayward, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, and San Leandro. Collectively, they were called Rancho San Lorenzo, a cattle ranch. Rancho San Lorenzo belonged to Mexico, as did California in general.
The American government promised the Mexican government that land owners (Spanish dons) could retain their land, when making the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo. They knew, however, that the dons couldn't afford the taxes and fees imposed on them, so sadly the dons lost their land after all.
William Haywards, the man, was actually a squatter who built a hotel on A and Main Streets. In early Hayward, there were stagecoaches and streetcars. Orchards and factories abounded.
In the 1600s and before, Hayward (formerly Haywood and Haywards) was inhabited by Ohlone hunters and gatherers. In the 1700s, a Spanish don named Castro took ownership of the areas of Hayward, San Lorenzo, Castro Valley, and San Leandro. Collectively, they were called Rancho San Lorenzo, a cattle ranch. Rancho San Lorenzo belonged to Mexico, as did California in general.
The American government promised the Mexican government that land owners (Spanish dons) could retain their land, when making the Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo. They knew, however, that the dons couldn't afford the taxes and fees imposed on them, so sadly the dons lost their land after all.
William Haywards, the man, was actually a squatter who built a hotel on A and Main Streets. In early Hayward, there were stagecoaches and streetcars. Orchards and factories abounded.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews