San Pablo History
The following are stories of pioneers and events that have helped shape
San Pablo from a rancho/farming community to a City.
San Pablo's Sugar Beet Fields
Saturday, September 4, 2021
It all started with an unassuming vintage photo of an aeroplane at a filling station that was once located on the site of today's 7-11 in San Pablo, off Broadway Avenue near Rumrill Blvd. That was Dexter’s Filling Station at the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Broadway where pilots used to taxi up to Dexter’s for a refill after landing on a nearby sugar beet farm. Hard to imagine a plane landing next to that 7-11 and Pizza Hut today!
The sugar beet farm I'm referring to was owned by the Aguiar brothers, Frank and Antonio Aguiar, who planted acres of sugar beets on their property along San Pablo Creek above Road 20. Another large empty field, where the Contra Costa Junior College complex would be built, was once used as an airfield in the 1920s. A 1939 aerial view from Google Earth shows that area in the photo below.
As San Pablo's population began to grow, some of the farms were sold and subdivided and replaced by housing tracts. However, several remained yielding rhubarb, celery, lettuce, cauliflower, cabbage, sugar beets, and other "truck crops." Between 1940 and 1945, San Pablo's population increased more than tenfold from just 2,000 residents in 1940 to 25,000 in 1945. Per the 1926 Polk directory on Ancestry.com, Mr. Cecil H. Dexter had an auto service station at State Hwy 40 at Bway (Broadway); and the 1956 Polk Directory lists Donald D. Dexter, at 2211 Broadway San Pablo.
The large sugar beet fields were eventually purchased and converted to housing, as were many other farms and fields. It became El Portal Park in the 1940s; a 450-unit temporary war housing project on a fifty-acre parcel of land owned by the Housing Authority of San Pablo. A portion was later converted by the Albert Lovett Corporation to build the El Portal Shopping Center in June 1960. Another portion was developed by Bohannon & Chamberlain to build the Rollingwood tract homes.
The first successful commercial sugar beet [beta vulgaris] factory in the United States was constructed by E. H. Dyer at Alvarado, California in 1879 (today's Union City/Newark area). Soon after, sugar beet culture and factories expanded in many states. Since 1879, 11 sugar factories had been built throughout California. However, the last sugar beet factory in northern California (Spreckels Sugar) closed in 2008, ending more than 140 years of beet production in the region and leaving only one operating in the state (in the Imperial Valley).
The following excerpts, found online, mention San Pablo's sugar beet farms.
"San Pablo's airfield was on land now occupied by Kidd Manor and the El Portal Shopping Center on Broadway and San Pablo Avenue. In the 1920s Dexter's Service Station served gasoline to airplanes. Air meets with races and parachute jumping were features at this airfield in the 1920s." [Source: California's Contra Costa County: an illustrated history by George Emanuels, Panorama West Books, 1986]
Dec 12, 2008 — San Pablo City Councilman Joe Gomes remembered when Portuguese farmers raised sugar beets on land that would become workers' housing in World War II — later the El Portal Shopping Center and the Abella homes today. [Source: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2008/12/12/san-pablo-bids-farewell-to-council-members-who-went-on-a-political-limb/]
"In the 1940s, the World War II shipyards came to Richmond, and housing was needed for wartime workers. Between 1940 and 1945, San Pablo’s population increased more than tenfold-from just 2,000 residents in 1940 to 25,000 in 1945. The large sugar beet field (where the El Portal Shopping Center stood) was converted to housing, as were many other farms and fields." Source: http://www.spawners.org/about/watershed-history/
The following is an excerpt from the book, Stepping Stones, by Daniel C. Smith which refers to the San Pablo Airfield:
"The open fields of beets and other crops in the vicinity served as landing fields for the century’s first aircraft. Planes would taxi over to the main street at Broadway to fuel up at Dexter’s Filling Station, which was also a Shell station at some point. Historian Audrey Lasson said, 'Anywhere there was a wind sock, that was an airport.' Andrew Traverso said the main airstrip was a beet field where El Portal Shopping Center was later constructed, but others existed nearby at the south end of town at 23rd and Rheem, and in south-central Richmond at First and Ohio. Barnstorming pilots, mostly World War I vets, gave rides for $5 from the San Pablo beet fields over the picturesque San Francisco Bay Area; $2 on a slow day." [Source: Stepping Stones, Daniel C. Smith; pg. 50-51]
Here is a description of the San Pablo airport from the 1929 register of U.S. airfields published by Sport Aviation. "Operator, Robert Peebles, San Pablo Airport, size 1500’ x 1000’, Elevation 100’. ½ mile north of town. 3 miles northeast of Richmond. Just south of Standard Oil Company's San Pablo tank farm. Highway on west, 1 mile and 11/2 miles east of Santa Fe and SFRR tracks. Dangerous high power line west side. Hangar for one plane in northwest corner. Three runways: North-south 2640’; east-west 3168’; diagonal runway 2112’. Surface rough and has gopher holes. Landing and take-off possible except under extreme weather conditions. Gasoline, oil, water and telephone at Club Service Station, 100’ from hangar. Standard Oil Company phone No. 1980." [Source: Stepping Stones, Daniel C. Smith; pg. 50-51]
History Rox Resources:
http://www.spreckelssugar.com/about.aspx
https://americansugarbeet.org/who-we-are/sugarbeet-history/
https://books.google.com/books?id=AFV9AAAAIAAJ...
https://museumoflocalhistory.org/.../AlvSugarBeetFactory.pdf
Dexter’s Filling Station at the corner of San Pablo Avenue and Broadway where pilots used to taxi up to Dexter’s for a refill after landing on a nearby sugar beet farm. Hard to imagine a plane landing next to that 7-11 and Pizza Hut today! [1920s Photo courtesy Chris Treadway]
This 1939 aerial view from a Google Earth map shows the Rollingwood sugar beet fields which were owned by the Aguiar brothers, Frank and Antonio, including the future Contra Costa College area (upper left) which was once used as an airfield in the 1920s.
This current Google map shows the Rollingwood area today which was once part of the vast sugar beet fields owned by the Aguiar brothers, and the College area (upper left) once used as the San Pablo airfield.
Airplanes? In San Pablo?
Yes, San Pablo's airfield was on land now occupied by Kidd Manor Senior Housing and Contra Costa College as noted in the 1939 aerial above. The following photos are an example of the aircraft that frequented the San Pablo airfield, and also relied on Dexter's filling station nearby to refuel.
This photo shows a Navy Douglas DT-2 in the foreground and behind it is a surplus DeHavilland DH-4 WWI plane. The DT-2 was in Navy service when the photo was taken and you can see the script on the aft fuselage as well as the tail stripes. Served from about 1922-26. [Description courtesy Bill Eaton]
A British Bristol Fighter, nicknamed "Brisfit" is seen here waiting to refuel at Dexter's filling station.
Aircraft ID courtesy Bill Eaton
This Standard J-1, a surplus WWI plane, flew from San Pablo's airfield as seen in this rare photo. Photo courtesy "The Story of Richmond" by Lee Fridell.
Aircraft ID courtesy Bill Eaton
This photo is of a WWI surplus Curtiss JN-4 trainer used by the US Army as well as the Navy. Very common.
Aircraft ID courtesy Bill Eaton
In the 1920s Dexter's Service Station served gasoline to airplanes. "Air meets with races and parachute jumping were features at the San Pablo airfield in the 1920s." Excerpt from California's Contra Costa County: an illustrated history by George Emanuels, Panorama West Books, 1986
A 1920s Ad which mentions a Richmond Flying Field at Giant Road. San Pablo Historical and Museum Society
In 1928, Edward De Larm created such an uproar when his aircraft blocked traffic as he "taxied" down "the San Pablo state highway" from the San Pablo airfield (where he kept his plane) to arrive at his home. The San Pablo state highway mentioned in these articles is today's San Pablo Avenue, once also known as Highway 40 and a major thoroughfare that runs northwest from the center of Oakland, to the city of Crockett and all points North and Eastward.
Edward Orville DeLarm (1888–1975): son of a French-Canadian mother and an Arapahoe father. His Native name was "Long Feather." He was the first Native American male to receive a pilot’s license and it was signed by aviation pioneer Orville Wright.
DeLarm blocks traffic
[Oakland Tribune • 29 Feb 1928]
Aviator blocks highway
[Oakland Tribune • 08 Mar 1928]
Obstructing Traffic
[SF Examiner • 12 Mar 1928]
This is what Dexter's filling station looked like in the 1940s-50s. Quite a big difference from the 1920s photo above.
Per an excerpt posted by Sharon Crow on FB from Mr. Kersey's bio, "He lived in the Chevron Service Station that he had leased from Mr. Dexter. The station was at the foot of "Tank Farm Hill" on San Pablo Avenue in San Pablo. The Dexter's home was just behind the station." Photo of Dexter's Station courtesy Sharon Leigh Kersey Crow.
A Richmond Independent article which mentions Manuel Duarte of San Pablo who was also a prominent sugar beet farmer.
The article indicates the Duarte Ranch was on the 1900 block of Rumrill Blvd., which would have been known back then as Kearney Avenue. That area today is across from Wildcat Creek Trail between Folsom Avenue and Brookside Drive. See 1939 Google Earth map of that area below.
Manuel Silveria Duarte [1883-1959]
Rita Abreu Duarte [1890-1970]
The Duarte Ranch, seen here at left, was located at what is today 2001 Rumrill Blvd. between Brookside Dr. and Folsom Ave.
Farming : Harvest Time
Sunday, August 8, 2021
"Harvest" a noun, from the Old English word hærf-est, coined before the Angels (Old English: Engla land) moved from Angeln (Germanic settlers) to Great Britain; meaning "autumn" (the season), "harvest-time" or "August." On small farms with minimal mechanization, harvesting is the most labor-intensive activity of the growing season.
Contra Costa County's principal horticultural products are pears, walnuts, almonds, prunes, peaches, apricots, cherries, apples and olives. Pears form one of the most remunerative crops in the county. Contra Costa County possesses some wonderfully fertile farming lands, especially those which lie along the deltas of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers. Wheat, barley, and oats comprise the grain products of the county. Fifty or sixty years ago enormous crops of grain were raised. In Contra Costa County, the earliest date, from the year 1835 or 1837, the largest fruit garden was that of Don Francisco Castro at San Pablo. "Successful farming is a science, and he who follows it as such will succeed, while he who does not is doomed to certain failure." Source: The History of Contra Costa County California; Edited by F. J. Hulaniski [1917]
Agriculture: https://books.google.com/books?id=3hIVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA55
Township Number One: https://books.google.com/books?id=3hIVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA382
San Pablo: https://books.google.com/books?id=9xY1AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA420&dq=%22SAN%20PABLO%22
Daily Alta California_19 March 1854
Goodale Farm. In the early 1850s David Goodale, a physician from Vermont came to San Pablo, settled on a ranch, and engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Horse drawn plows and men on foot in a field, c1902.
What's in a name?
Monday, July 12, 2021
In 1937 a proposal to rename several streets in San Pablo was approved, and in 1938 the streets in San Pablo were changed to correspond with Richmond street names. The renaming, per the attached articles may be a bit confusing to some since you probably weren't around back then. However, I've included a 1938 map of the area below, showing the new names with some of the former names in parenthesis. If you're still confused, imagine how the residents felt back then having to explain to family members they haven't moved, just that their street was renamed. And, let's not forget the nightmare the postal carriers probably went through as well!
However, that was just part of the project. The city now had to replace all the renamed streets with new signs!
Oakland Tribune • May 1937
Richmond Daily Independent • Aug 1938
Richmond Daily Independent • Aug 1938
1938 Map courtesy David Rumsey collection [https://www.davidrumsey.com/.../RUMSEY~8~1~248557~5515950...]
DOVER AVENUE Neighborhood
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
16th & Dover Avenue (1601 Dover).
The car at bottom right is traveling along Dover.
Did you grow up in this neighborhood? If you don't recognize it, it's along Dover Avenue in San Pablo. The house in this vintage c1909 photo sits at the corner of 16th & Dover Avenue (1601 Dover). Unfortunately, the house hides the original right-angled turn of Dover Avenue, that today is more of an "S" curve. At upper right, the large white building is the former San Pablo School on Market Avenue. In the distance is 23rd street, at the treeline. Surprisingly, that house, built in the early 1900s is still there! ~History Rox
1939 aerial view of the same area along Dover Avenue in San Pablo. The arrow at left points to the house on the corner of 16th & Dover. You can now clearly see the original angled curve. The building at center right is the San Pablo school that once stood on Market Ave.
Our Forgotten Pioneers
From its humble beginnings, the Township of San Pablo was a melting pot of immigrants and a transportation hub. Despite the varied origins of its settlers, patriotism was fairly strong in San Pablo residents as the country plunged into civil war. The Contra Costa Guard was organized in San Pablo for defense of the Union, and it performed as a cavalry led by Capt. Jacob Tewksbury at the 1865 county fair.
Tewksbury, a retired physician and surgeon, who had been living in Buenos Aires, South America, was reportedly brought to San Pablo in 1851 by Joaquín Castro to treat his mother, Doña Gabriela Castro, who was in declining health and nearing the end of an eventful life. Tewksbury practiced briefly in San Francisco where he spent most of his time before moving to the "Contra Costa" to get in on the land grab. He bought many acres of land in Rancho San Pablo along and between San Pablo and Wildcat Creeks and a large portion of what is now Point Richmond. It is reported "He gave up the practice of medicine in favor of cattle raising."
He built a large home close to Wildcat Creek beneath a huge pepper tree, then a local landmark near the present intersection of today's San Pablo Avenue and San Pablo Dam Road, and it's speculated he lived there the last two decades of his life, dying in 1877. However, records indicate he died at his Washington Avenue residence in San Francisco.
Unfortunately, in San Pablo, like many communities, most historic old homes have disintegrated or been demolished, like that of the Tewksburys.
Resources:
http://www.bradleyfoundation.org/genealogies/Roxbury/tobg09.htm
Contra Costa Guard [Civil War Unit 1863-1866]
Jacob Merrill Tewksbury, M.D.
Notice to Creditors: Tewksbury Estate - SF Examiner 1878
Read more about the forgotten Pioneers of San Pablo here: Pioneer Profiles
The Irish of Rancho San Pablo
Wednesday, March 17, 2021
In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, let's take a moment to acknowledge the Irish pioneers that settled in the Rancho San Pablo area. Per the 1860 US Federal Census, there were approximately 75 families of Irish descent living in the area between the Ranchos of San Pablo, El Sobrante and Pinole.
The San Pablo Land Grant was deeded to Juan Ysidro Castro for 17,938.59 acres and patented on January 31, 1878. However, after years of court battles between the Castros, squatters, settlers and others claiming to hold title, Judge J. C. B. Hebbard released his final decree of partition in March of 1894, thus ending decades of uncertainty about titles to the property of Rancho San Pablo. His decree divided the Rancho among 148 owners. Of course, some parcels were in name only as the owners lived outside the area/county. The following are the names of some of those land owners/settlers of Irish descent based on that final decree: John Cahill, Laborer; James Conlon, Farmer; Patrick Doran, Restaurant/Saloon Keeper; David A. and John Fitzgerald, land owners; Michael Kearney, Farmer; Edward Kirkpatrick, landowner; Johanna McGann (wid. of Patrick, Farmer); James Mulholland, Farmer; and John Nicholl.
The most prominent resident and landowner is John Nicholl, Sr. John Nicholl was born on November 19, 1822, in the north of Ireland, and was of Scotch ancestry. Emigrating to the U.S. in 1849, he eventually acquired two hundred acres of the San Pablo Rancho, now Richmond. At that time a stage-coach ran out to the rancho. "Prophesying that a town would some day cover the territory, he purchased more land. Here he made his home and started the first school, hauling the lumber in his own wagons. He became the chief owner of San Pablo Rancho, which for thirty-five years was involved in litigation, and in 1900, when the title was cleared, he started the town of Point Richmond, now known as Richmond. Mr. Nicholl became a close friend of Claus Spreckels and together the two pioneers engaged in great and successful business enterprises."
Michael Kearney resided in Rancho San Pablo before moving to Alameda County after the death of his wife. He passed away on 23 April 1909, with an estate valued at over $10,000 to be distributed equally among his surviving children; two sons and one daughter (his wife had died in 1885). The description of the properties he owned, the marsh/swamp lands along the coastline of San Pablo Bay in what was then known as Giant, was 5 pages long.
Obituary for Johanna McGann, widow of Patrick McGann. [San Francisco Chronicle - 25 Aug 1916]
Note that at the time, Richmond did not exist and the other towns, which later developed, were considered part of Rancho San Pablo. ~History Rox
Britton & Rey, 1894 showing marsh land area of property owned by Michael Kearney -- https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4363a.la000011/?r=0.205,0.2,0.134,0.061,0
Obituary for Johanna McGann, widow of Patrick McGann. [San Francisco Chronicle - 25 Aug 1916]
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