PBA Galleries

Fascinating and important archive relating to the formative years in Alameda County, as roads were built, land purchased, surveyed and developed, supervisors were elected, and conflicts settled. Included are materials related to Eden, Oakland, and Murray Townships, the Peralta family, and more. Among the items: Petition to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, requesting proper maintenance of the road to the embarcadero on San Francisco Bay, signed by some 54 citizens. 1856. * Petition to the Court of Sessions for Alameda County, requesting a road from the “Redwoods of the said county and the county adjoining [Contra Costa] said woods being upon the line of the said counties, is absolutely necessary for a communication with the Bay of San Francisco…” Signed by some 60 citizens. With large sketch map of the proposed road, which crosses the San Antonio and San Jose Road and connects to Alameda Road. 1854. * Articles of agreement between W.W. Chipman and various other land owners of the Bolsa de Encinal de San Antonio that “there shall be a common road sixty feet wide running through said Encinal as follows…” With full-page map of the proposed road and surrounding area. This seems to be a contemporary fair copy – the signatures are all in the same hand. 1852. * “Plat of Lands belonging to Pedro … Ignatio Estrada. Filed at request of S.F. Gilcrest, Ap.t 2 1864…” With colored plat map of the land along San Pablo Road. 1864. * Plus numerous requests for land surveys and replies to same; some 16 requests to purchase salt marsh lands; about 22 petitions for roads, etc., in Eden Township; and many more.