Place Names in the Vicinity of Bay Point
Notes by Dean McLeod
Monte del Diablo
(notes from Eccuse the Chupcan)
As a boy he learned to read water, earth and sky. He knew what the Conquerors now called Monte del Diablo like the black hawk knows the wind, like the salmon knows the bay that is his only home. Eccuse spoke of the beauty of his village, away from the main river village. The bigger village sat next to the river, called by the Conquerors Santa Ana de Fulgino (Walnut Creek). It was the largest moving water in the valley, and came from the mountain. The first families lived there, and had for many generations built villages up and down the river.
There was a spring of cool water near the village. As an old man, Eccuse could still feel its sweetness on his lips. The village was surrounded on the south by a thicket or monte of trees, providing protection from the south. The channel, narrow but very deep, ran in pure water in years of much rain, but was salty during years of dryness. The salmon came nearly to the village to lay their eggs. Eccuse learned from his father to trap and spear the fish. Seals lived on the islands just north of the village.
In March 1772-April 1776, Father Crespi and Lt. Fages pass through northern Diablo Valley to the summit of Willow Pass in Bay Point. Eccuse describes the first contact between the Chupcans and the Spanish. He tells of the second, less happy meeting between natives and foreigners when Font and DeAnza come to the village.
"Our men signaled for them to follow back to the chief village of our people. In a procession, our men danced and sang as they led the caballeros to the village.[1] Everybody came out to meet them, singing, dancing and shouting in the traditional way, greeting and welcoming, each wearing his best adornment. After a time exchanging gifts, the white Father and the soldiers left the chief village and came to our smaller village.[2]
1800-1804 The Chupcans abandon their villages in the face of military attack. Monte del Diablo named for the thicket that protects their escape.
"Just before acorn harvest time all our fears came to pass. Our southern scouts ran into the main village one afternoon shouting that the soldiers were coming. They had been seen on the western side of the Great Mountain, coming with their horses, their thunder sticks and their powerful magic. There was near panic in the villages. Our wise men talked and planned for the safest defense. It was decided that the soldiers would arrive near the village as it was getting dark and would not want to fight. We built big fires that night. We feasted on the food too heavy to carry. The men danced and sang loudly as the women and children packed our possessions into the tule boats.
"As the singing and dancing continued, the children were rowed quietly across the bay to the villages of the Suisuns. It took many hours. Late in the night, with the fires still burning brightly, the men rowed the women across. Just before morning, the last of our people left the villages of our people, to keep from being killed by the white soldiers."[3]
Notes from: Historical Time Line of Bay Point and Vicinity 1741-1996
[See time-line for sources]
26 July 1834
Mexican Governor Jose' Figueroa gives private grant to Salvio Pacheco, called Rancho Monte Del Diablo, on condition that he not sell or incumber it, and that he occupy it within a year.(108, 336)
Nov 1852
Charles N. Wight settles with brother Randolph Wight in section 3, near Mallard Slough, four miles west of New York Landing. Assessed the following year for $700 in personal property tax. Eventually has 700 acre farm. Randolph eventually acquires 690 acres. Horse and cattle ranch. Ploughs 7 acres for wheat, first in Township 2 North, Range 1 West. (5, 95, 125, 126)
25 July 1853
Agreement reached between Salvio Pacheco and Robert Allen on the boundaries and price of the latter's purchase of part of Monte del Diablo. Upon filing of survey to be undertaken by F. R. Loring and granting of Patent to Pacheco, Allen is to pay Pacheco $12,500. (5, 59, 68, 322)
1 Jan 1856
William Jones, of the firm of Beatty and Jones, files a claim for 140 acres of tule lands described as South of Seal Island Bluff (or Beatty's Island), bounded by two sloughs and a ditch out connecting the two sloughs and the Bay of Suisun, more particularly described as the Northwest quarter of section 1 in Township 2 North, Range 2 West. He paid $11.20 for the property. (359, p. 9)
6 Jan 1857
Contra Costa Board of Supervisors passes resolution forming first school district in Contra Costa County. It is named Bay Point School District. Boundaries extend from Pacheco to New York of the Pacific. (190, 195)
[A portion of Monte del Diablo becomes Hastings Ranch in 1859. It is later known as Government Ranch. Ultimately, the same ranch becomes Willow Creek Golf Course, Clyde, and Naval Weapons Station-Concord.]
18 Jan 1859
Serranus C. Hastings and Paul Shirley , both of Solano County, purchase Government Ranch from Cornelia D. Loring for $2,000. She gained it through unnamed contract, most likely from Robert Allen.(295)
1850
28 October 1859
Government Ranch surveyed by W. D. Carnegie at the instigation of Serranus Clinton Hastings. It consisted of 1,400 acres, mostly in T2N, R1W, but also containing 320 acres in section 12 of T2N, R2W.(285)
10 Mar 1860
Salvio Pacheco Quit Claims Government Ranch to Serranus C. Hastings. It consisted of a parcel containing 1,300 acres, a parcel containing 18.68 acrres. Total Property 2,496.81 acres. Consideration is $13,354.26. ?? (296, 367)
20 Aug 1864
Samuel Bacon's petition to Board of Supervisors to change name of Bay Point School District to Pacheco School District is granted. (118, 190)
23 May 1868
Board of Supervisors approve petition of Samuel S. Bacon and partner, Charles S. Lohse to build 50 x 100 foot warehouse and wharf on Suisun Bay at place called Seal Bluff. This provides a new shipping point for Diablo Valley, five miles up stream from Martinez.
(6, 26, 76)
[Seal Bluff, Seal Islands were named before Contra Costa was formed. the origin of its name is unknown, but it could have been named by hunters in the 1830-1840 period.]
A ship anchorage exists just east of Seal Island, close to shore in four fathoms of water. (132)
4 Aug 1868
County Board of Supervisors approves various petitions establishing new school district boundaries. Bay Point School District re-established. Its boundaries begin on the Willow Pass Road, following the boundary of Hastings Ranch to Frisbie's Ranch, following their boundary due north to the bay. Then they go along the bay to the Mt. Diablo Meridian, south on the Meridian three miles from the water's edge, then west to the point of rocks. Southern boundary of the school district follows the northern boundary of Lime Quarry School District. The teacher is paid $60.00 for four months teaching of 22 students. "The school house was located on a piece of property immediately adjacent to and west of what is now Rio Vista Elementary School. (190, 196)
1870
Map of Contra Costa County shows "Bay Point" where Bay Point hill stands. Also shows Pittsburg on bay directly north of Summersville and east of New York Landing. (165)
12 Sep 1870
Petition initiated by Bacon and Lohse to build public highway from northern end of Grant Street in Concord to Seal Bluff Landing. The road was to follow "the road now traveled to the top of the ridge, about 200 yards south of " Ferdando Pacheco's house, cross his property about 500 yards "until it intersects the road now traveled". It then was to continue north on his property until it reached "the old gate" separating Pacheco's property from that of S.C. Hastings. Continuing north on Hastings' property, it was to pass to the east of Howell's Chicken Ranch. The fence there was 400 yards north of Hastings' artesian well. Continuing northerly again, it was to follow the "road now traveled to Smith's Gate, near Hastings' Hay Barn. It then entered the land of H. H. Smith, following the "road now traveled. It continued north to "the road now traveled on H. H. Smith's lands, on the edge of Suisun Bay.(283)
Notice of Petition by Henry O'Hara and others to Board of Supervisors to build road north from Willow Pass Road to the edge of the Suisun Bay wetlands and then west to Seal Bluff Landing. (101) This became eastern arm of modern Port Chicago Highway.
1871
Hastings Landing (storehouse) appears on nautical map of Contra Costa County. Diablo Creek was the northern drainage from Mt. Diablo into Hastings Slough. (58, 165)
[The name Bay Point did not originate with the former town of Bay Point, which changed its name to Port Chicago in 1931. It was the name given to the first County School District in the 19th century.]
1873
Map of Bay Area shows following detail in T2N, R1W and vicinity: Seal Islands, Hastings Creek, Roe Island,, Bay Point, Middle Point, Mallard Slough, Willow Pass, Kirker's Pass. Also named are a warehouse on Hastings Creek and "Stone House" in Section 10.Three roads are shown: Kirker's Pass Road begins at what is now Concord Blvd., winding throught the hills, following the route of modern day Kirker Pass Road , continuing as modern Railroad Avenue to New York. Willow Pass Road follows its modern route, beginning at the Concord town center, through the pass and then curving east along the north edge of the hills, terminating near C. J. Pramberg's house in Section 14. What was later named the Bay Point Road, and subsequently Port Chicago Highway, begins outside the town of Concord near A. Galindo's house, goes north around the Bay Point Hills, then east to its termination near Bird's house. Farmers named and located are Bacon, Hastings, Thompson, Clark, D. Cunningham, Strody, D. Bird, Parkinson, Sayle, McAvoy, R. H. Wight and Bro. and Pramberg. (328)
1879
Black Diamond, "sometimes called New York Landing, is situated on the San Joaquin River, an important coaling up point for river steamboats. " "This is one of the earliest settlements on the Coast, having been located in 1849." Forty-nine men are listed, including three who live in T2N, R1W. It has a combined post office, railroad office and Wells Fargo Office. There is also a rail station, two blacksmiths, two hotels, a meat market, a saloon, a shoemaker, a laundry, two general merchandise stores, a telegraph office, and a wharf. There are five fishermen. At least twelve men work for the railroad. Seven resident farmers are listed. (277)
1879
Concord is a "thriving agricultural town, situated seven miles from Martinez". "A daily stage connects with trains for San Francisco at Martinez, that enables busiinessmen to spend several hours at the Bay and return the same day." One hundred and four men are listed. Fifty -six resident farmers live in the area, including nineteen in T2N, R 1W. There is a combined General Merchandise, Wells Fargo Express Office, Post Office, three saloons, four blacksmiths, a shoemaker, a butcher, a wareshouse and wharf (at Seal Bluff), three hotels, a tinsmith, a millinery, a grocer, a drugs and real estate office, five merchandisers, a livery and feed stable, a barber shop, two meat markets, a saddlery, a telegraph office, a grocery and dry goods store, and a carpenter. (278)
1882
Bay Point described in county history as "spur of Mt. Diablo". Dominant features are rolling hills through which Willow Pass transects and tule bogs, part of 110 miles of marsh that flood twice daily between Martinez and up-river. Sixth township organized. (5, 6)
1884-85
Bay Point listed in the Index to Towns of a five county commercial directory. No ranchers or farmers have a separate Bay Point listing. Residents of Township 2 North, Range 1 West list themselves under Concord (twenty-three) or Black Diamond,(fifteen), or under both towns (nine). Three even listed themselves under Cornwall. All listed themselves as farmers or laborers, except J. Andrews, the Bay Point District Clerk and James B. Cunningham, who was a clerk for Murphy and Cavanaugh. (275)
1884-85
Cornwall Station was a Post and Express office on the Central Pacific Railroad. (276)
1885
Bay Point boundaries clearly identified on Official Map of Contra Costa. Boundaries follow area now bounded by Port Chicago Highway, including Clyde, Nichols, Shore Acres, Port Chicago. (6, 37)
22 May 1886
Blum and Company builds new warehouse 150 feet long by 44 feet wide at Bay Point to replace the one destroyed in a gale two years previously. Small railroad station house also built there by Blum, since Bay Point is a "flag station". (65, 71)
1888
Post office at Cornwall Station discontinued. Its mail routed through Black Diamond. (327)
14 Sep 1888
Mary, wife of Oliver McAvoy, dies at McAvoy Station. (319, p. 74)
1893
Punnett's Sectional Map of Bay Counties shows only Avon, Bay Point and McAvoy between Martinez and Cornwall.
1897
"Government Ranch", previously owned by S. C. Hastings, Chief Justice of California Supreme Court, Senator Wm. M. Gwin, and now in estate of Leland Stanford, on the real estate market. (56)
1898
Construction of Copper King Smelter begins at Seal Bluff Landing at cost of $1,375,000. Financed by consortium of British investors, headed by shipbuilder, Christopher Furness, M.P. Other principals are Frank L. Gardner and W. H. Daly. Financing by Crocker-Woolworth bank in San Francisco. (37, 26, 44)
[Seal Bluff was in Section 1 of Township 2 North, Range 2 West and is now in the wetlands portion of Concord Naval Weapons Station]
1900
Contra Costa County consolidated into five school districts. In the second division are the following schools: Concord, Pacheco, Lime Quarry, Oak Grove,
Bay Point, Mt. Diablo, and Morgan. Terry Windall is Vice-President of Education. (181)
1907
Foskett and Elsworthy, Concord butchers and land speculators, purchase 1,300 acres of eastern half of Government Ranch from C. A. Hooper. They later buy Willow Pass-Concord section of Government ranch. (68)
1912
Petition presented to Board of Supervisors to change the name of the Bay Point School District to Ambrose School District. Hearing set for 18 March 1912. (212)
about 1910
Wm. H. Nichols Syndicate, financiers of General Chemical Company, builds about 50 homes and ten bunkhouses for plant workers across Bay Point Road from factory. Area named Nichols. Children attend Bay Point School.(29, 374)
9 Feb 1912
Board of Supervisors approve formation of Nichols School District. (345, p. 22, 374)
abt. 1914.
Weber's Map of Contra Costa County shows Bay Point, McAvoy, Ambrose, Cornwall, New York Landing and Pittsburg along East Contra Costa waterfront. Doesn't show West Pittsburg. (166)
1915
Map of Contra Costa County shows West Pittsburg for the first time. It is a tiny settlement, just inside the western border marking Los Medanos Rancho. Development may have been consequent to the construction of the O, A and E Railway from Sacramento to Oakland. West Pittsburg sits at a "T" junction where the tracks come in from the ferry and split in an east and west direction. It is just north of the San Pablo and Tulare railroad tracks. (167)
1917
Walnut Creek entrepreneur Robert Burgess obtains government contract (probably from the United States Shipping Board) and financing to build Pacific Coast Shipbuilding Company. 4,000 (400?) jobs created overnight. Clyde built to house workers. (1, 9)
1931 1928-1931
Shell Chemical Company builds ammonia production facility in West Pittsburg providing growth and stronger identity. Valuation of West Pittsburg grows substantially. (190, 193, 250)
Walter Van Winkle, President of Bay Point Chamber of Commerce, spearheads drive to change name from Bay Point to Port Chicago. Was originally an engineer for P, G. and E. Resigned and started his own power company in Bay Point. F. G. Cox suggested name "Chicago". (12, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
1937
Polk's City Directory of Pittsburg and Antioch has separate sections for Port Chicago and Brentwood. No mention of West Pittsburg. (137)
Jan 1947
Port Chicago is at its pinnacle, with 70 small businesses, the iron works, General Chemical and the nation's largest Naval magazine. Growth has created a shortage of housing. (188)
1954
Population of Port Chicago is 2,700. Shore Acres has 2,000. Nichols has about 200 persons. The Naval Magazine represents approximately 1% of the total land in Contra Costa. (163)
1955
Consequent to Army-Navy Explosives Safety Board study, Navy decides Port Chicago must go. Will provide two-mile safety buffer zone. Board of Supervisors, led by Supervisor Buchanan of Pittsburg calls for no expansion of the weapons station-close it as soon as possible. (143, 164, 307, 337)
1958
Port Chicago population down to 2,650, property values down 15-20%, retail business down 30%. "Save Port Chicago" committee headed by Judge Otto E. Lichti, who says: "This rapidly growing county is not the place for the magazine". (147)
23 May 1968
Federal Court dismisses civil suit to declare Navy take-over of Port Chicago unconstitutional. (110)
15 Nov 1969
Port Chicago's last civilian residents are Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bidelman. A WW II veteran of the Navy, the barricaded Bidelman said of his eviction from his home: "I think the country stinks." (1, 47, 149)
1960
West Pittsburg, along with Shore Acres, first appears in Polk's City Directory of Pittsburg and Antioch. (107)
1979
According to a Concord Naval Weapons Station study, 43% of the heads of household in West Pittsburg are unemployed. Approximately 37% of heads of household in Clyde are unemployed. (310)
1980
Population of West Pittsburg is 10,200, according to the 1980 U..S. Census. (238)
March 1987
Change in West Pittsburg image noted in Contra Costa Times as a result of "building boomlet". County Department of Community Development counts 16 housing developments consisting of over 2,000 units for West Pittsburg. West Pittsburg Alliance President Bill Filbeck says "I'm never going to say stop building.; we've had some good people move in here that wouldn't be here if we didn't build up." (228)
1990
Population of West Pittsburg is 17,453, according to the 1990 U.S. Census, an increase of 71% from 1980.. (238)
1 Mar 1993
Dean McLeod presents historical sketch of Bay Point and advocates to West Pittsburg Municipal Advisory Council changing the name to Bay Point. Brett Howard, Council member, spearheads drive for change. John Bolton provides organizational and strategic leadership (49)
10 Aug 1993
West Pittsburg becomes Bay Point.
[1]This village, mentioned by Fages and Crespi in 1772, DeAnza and Font in 1776, and others later was possibly at or near the archeological site known as CCO 241. Located just north of Highway 4, where the Walnut Creek was deep and wide.
[2]The location of this second village is guesswork. Crespi's journal says, after entering Diablo Valley, "We passed on and saw in the same valley two villages." It seems to refer to the village at Walnut Creek and then a subsequent one before ascending the Willow Pass. Bancroft interpreted as follows: "March 30th they advance two leagues to a large stream-Arroyo de las Nueces, near Pacheco; cross the fine valley of Santa Angela de Fulgino-Mt. Diablo Creek; pass two rancherias of friendly natives; and enter a range of low hills-in the vicinity of Willow Pass." Bancroft, Vol. I, p. 186
[3]Punitive raid led by Luis Peralta, October, 1804. Village site named "Monte del Diablo" or "thicket of the devil" by the soldiers, since they believed that "only the latter's intervention had made it possible for the Chupcans to escape them." Milliken, 1995, pp. 184-185. "The place I have petitioned for [Rancho Monte del Diablo] is properly called by the Indians "Chupcanes", afterwards designed by the troops by the name "Monte del Diablo", which can be proved, if it is necessary, for there are many persons who went that way in the first campaign." Salvio Pacheco, letter to Governor Echeandia, 30 Oct 1828, Board of U.S. Land Commissioners, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, Case 20, Bancroft Library.
Notes by Dean McLeod
Monte del Diablo
(notes from Eccuse the Chupcan)
As a boy he learned to read water, earth and sky. He knew what the Conquerors now called Monte del Diablo like the black hawk knows the wind, like the salmon knows the bay that is his only home. Eccuse spoke of the beauty of his village, away from the main river village. The bigger village sat next to the river, called by the Conquerors Santa Ana de Fulgino (Walnut Creek). It was the largest moving water in the valley, and came from the mountain. The first families lived there, and had for many generations built villages up and down the river.
There was a spring of cool water near the village. As an old man, Eccuse could still feel its sweetness on his lips. The village was surrounded on the south by a thicket or monte of trees, providing protection from the south. The channel, narrow but very deep, ran in pure water in years of much rain, but was salty during years of dryness. The salmon came nearly to the village to lay their eggs. Eccuse learned from his father to trap and spear the fish. Seals lived on the islands just north of the village.
In March 1772-April 1776, Father Crespi and Lt. Fages pass through northern Diablo Valley to the summit of Willow Pass in Bay Point. Eccuse describes the first contact between the Chupcans and the Spanish. He tells of the second, less happy meeting between natives and foreigners when Font and DeAnza come to the village.
"Our men signaled for them to follow back to the chief village of our people. In a procession, our men danced and sang as they led the caballeros to the village.[1] Everybody came out to meet them, singing, dancing and shouting in the traditional way, greeting and welcoming, each wearing his best adornment. After a time exchanging gifts, the white Father and the soldiers left the chief village and came to our smaller village.[2]
1800-1804 The Chupcans abandon their villages in the face of military attack. Monte del Diablo named for the thicket that protects their escape.
"Just before acorn harvest time all our fears came to pass. Our southern scouts ran into the main village one afternoon shouting that the soldiers were coming. They had been seen on the western side of the Great Mountain, coming with their horses, their thunder sticks and their powerful magic. There was near panic in the villages. Our wise men talked and planned for the safest defense. It was decided that the soldiers would arrive near the village as it was getting dark and would not want to fight. We built big fires that night. We feasted on the food too heavy to carry. The men danced and sang loudly as the women and children packed our possessions into the tule boats.
"As the singing and dancing continued, the children were rowed quietly across the bay to the villages of the Suisuns. It took many hours. Late in the night, with the fires still burning brightly, the men rowed the women across. Just before morning, the last of our people left the villages of our people, to keep from being killed by the white soldiers."[3]
Notes from: Historical Time Line of Bay Point and Vicinity 1741-1996
[See time-line for sources]
26 July 1834
Mexican Governor Jose' Figueroa gives private grant to Salvio Pacheco, called Rancho Monte Del Diablo, on condition that he not sell or incumber it, and that he occupy it within a year.(108, 336)
Nov 1852
Charles N. Wight settles with brother Randolph Wight in section 3, near Mallard Slough, four miles west of New York Landing. Assessed the following year for $700 in personal property tax. Eventually has 700 acre farm. Randolph eventually acquires 690 acres. Horse and cattle ranch. Ploughs 7 acres for wheat, first in Township 2 North, Range 1 West. (5, 95, 125, 126)
25 July 1853
Agreement reached between Salvio Pacheco and Robert Allen on the boundaries and price of the latter's purchase of part of Monte del Diablo. Upon filing of survey to be undertaken by F. R. Loring and granting of Patent to Pacheco, Allen is to pay Pacheco $12,500. (5, 59, 68, 322)
1 Jan 1856
William Jones, of the firm of Beatty and Jones, files a claim for 140 acres of tule lands described as South of Seal Island Bluff (or Beatty's Island), bounded by two sloughs and a ditch out connecting the two sloughs and the Bay of Suisun, more particularly described as the Northwest quarter of section 1 in Township 2 North, Range 2 West. He paid $11.20 for the property. (359, p. 9)
6 Jan 1857
Contra Costa Board of Supervisors passes resolution forming first school district in Contra Costa County. It is named Bay Point School District. Boundaries extend from Pacheco to New York of the Pacific. (190, 195)
[A portion of Monte del Diablo becomes Hastings Ranch in 1859. It is later known as Government Ranch. Ultimately, the same ranch becomes Willow Creek Golf Course, Clyde, and Naval Weapons Station-Concord.]
18 Jan 1859
Serranus C. Hastings and Paul Shirley , both of Solano County, purchase Government Ranch from Cornelia D. Loring for $2,000. She gained it through unnamed contract, most likely from Robert Allen.(295)
1850
28 October 1859
Government Ranch surveyed by W. D. Carnegie at the instigation of Serranus Clinton Hastings. It consisted of 1,400 acres, mostly in T2N, R1W, but also containing 320 acres in section 12 of T2N, R2W.(285)
10 Mar 1860
Salvio Pacheco Quit Claims Government Ranch to Serranus C. Hastings. It consisted of a parcel containing 1,300 acres, a parcel containing 18.68 acrres. Total Property 2,496.81 acres. Consideration is $13,354.26. ?? (296, 367)
20 Aug 1864
Samuel Bacon's petition to Board of Supervisors to change name of Bay Point School District to Pacheco School District is granted. (118, 190)
23 May 1868
Board of Supervisors approve petition of Samuel S. Bacon and partner, Charles S. Lohse to build 50 x 100 foot warehouse and wharf on Suisun Bay at place called Seal Bluff. This provides a new shipping point for Diablo Valley, five miles up stream from Martinez.
(6, 26, 76)
[Seal Bluff, Seal Islands were named before Contra Costa was formed. the origin of its name is unknown, but it could have been named by hunters in the 1830-1840 period.]
A ship anchorage exists just east of Seal Island, close to shore in four fathoms of water. (132)
4 Aug 1868
County Board of Supervisors approves various petitions establishing new school district boundaries. Bay Point School District re-established. Its boundaries begin on the Willow Pass Road, following the boundary of Hastings Ranch to Frisbie's Ranch, following their boundary due north to the bay. Then they go along the bay to the Mt. Diablo Meridian, south on the Meridian three miles from the water's edge, then west to the point of rocks. Southern boundary of the school district follows the northern boundary of Lime Quarry School District. The teacher is paid $60.00 for four months teaching of 22 students. "The school house was located on a piece of property immediately adjacent to and west of what is now Rio Vista Elementary School. (190, 196)
1870
Map of Contra Costa County shows "Bay Point" where Bay Point hill stands. Also shows Pittsburg on bay directly north of Summersville and east of New York Landing. (165)
12 Sep 1870
Petition initiated by Bacon and Lohse to build public highway from northern end of Grant Street in Concord to Seal Bluff Landing. The road was to follow "the road now traveled to the top of the ridge, about 200 yards south of " Ferdando Pacheco's house, cross his property about 500 yards "until it intersects the road now traveled". It then was to continue north on his property until it reached "the old gate" separating Pacheco's property from that of S.C. Hastings. Continuing north on Hastings' property, it was to pass to the east of Howell's Chicken Ranch. The fence there was 400 yards north of Hastings' artesian well. Continuing northerly again, it was to follow the "road now traveled to Smith's Gate, near Hastings' Hay Barn. It then entered the land of H. H. Smith, following the "road now traveled. It continued north to "the road now traveled on H. H. Smith's lands, on the edge of Suisun Bay.(283)
Notice of Petition by Henry O'Hara and others to Board of Supervisors to build road north from Willow Pass Road to the edge of the Suisun Bay wetlands and then west to Seal Bluff Landing. (101) This became eastern arm of modern Port Chicago Highway.
1871
Hastings Landing (storehouse) appears on nautical map of Contra Costa County. Diablo Creek was the northern drainage from Mt. Diablo into Hastings Slough. (58, 165)
[The name Bay Point did not originate with the former town of Bay Point, which changed its name to Port Chicago in 1931. It was the name given to the first County School District in the 19th century.]
1873
Map of Bay Area shows following detail in T2N, R1W and vicinity: Seal Islands, Hastings Creek, Roe Island,, Bay Point, Middle Point, Mallard Slough, Willow Pass, Kirker's Pass. Also named are a warehouse on Hastings Creek and "Stone House" in Section 10.Three roads are shown: Kirker's Pass Road begins at what is now Concord Blvd., winding throught the hills, following the route of modern day Kirker Pass Road , continuing as modern Railroad Avenue to New York. Willow Pass Road follows its modern route, beginning at the Concord town center, through the pass and then curving east along the north edge of the hills, terminating near C. J. Pramberg's house in Section 14. What was later named the Bay Point Road, and subsequently Port Chicago Highway, begins outside the town of Concord near A. Galindo's house, goes north around the Bay Point Hills, then east to its termination near Bird's house. Farmers named and located are Bacon, Hastings, Thompson, Clark, D. Cunningham, Strody, D. Bird, Parkinson, Sayle, McAvoy, R. H. Wight and Bro. and Pramberg. (328)
1879
Black Diamond, "sometimes called New York Landing, is situated on the San Joaquin River, an important coaling up point for river steamboats. " "This is one of the earliest settlements on the Coast, having been located in 1849." Forty-nine men are listed, including three who live in T2N, R1W. It has a combined post office, railroad office and Wells Fargo Office. There is also a rail station, two blacksmiths, two hotels, a meat market, a saloon, a shoemaker, a laundry, two general merchandise stores, a telegraph office, and a wharf. There are five fishermen. At least twelve men work for the railroad. Seven resident farmers are listed. (277)
1879
Concord is a "thriving agricultural town, situated seven miles from Martinez". "A daily stage connects with trains for San Francisco at Martinez, that enables busiinessmen to spend several hours at the Bay and return the same day." One hundred and four men are listed. Fifty -six resident farmers live in the area, including nineteen in T2N, R 1W. There is a combined General Merchandise, Wells Fargo Express Office, Post Office, three saloons, four blacksmiths, a shoemaker, a butcher, a wareshouse and wharf (at Seal Bluff), three hotels, a tinsmith, a millinery, a grocer, a drugs and real estate office, five merchandisers, a livery and feed stable, a barber shop, two meat markets, a saddlery, a telegraph office, a grocery and dry goods store, and a carpenter. (278)
1882
Bay Point described in county history as "spur of Mt. Diablo". Dominant features are rolling hills through which Willow Pass transects and tule bogs, part of 110 miles of marsh that flood twice daily between Martinez and up-river. Sixth township organized. (5, 6)
1884-85
Bay Point listed in the Index to Towns of a five county commercial directory. No ranchers or farmers have a separate Bay Point listing. Residents of Township 2 North, Range 1 West list themselves under Concord (twenty-three) or Black Diamond,(fifteen), or under both towns (nine). Three even listed themselves under Cornwall. All listed themselves as farmers or laborers, except J. Andrews, the Bay Point District Clerk and James B. Cunningham, who was a clerk for Murphy and Cavanaugh. (275)
1884-85
Cornwall Station was a Post and Express office on the Central Pacific Railroad. (276)
1885
Bay Point boundaries clearly identified on Official Map of Contra Costa. Boundaries follow area now bounded by Port Chicago Highway, including Clyde, Nichols, Shore Acres, Port Chicago. (6, 37)
22 May 1886
Blum and Company builds new warehouse 150 feet long by 44 feet wide at Bay Point to replace the one destroyed in a gale two years previously. Small railroad station house also built there by Blum, since Bay Point is a "flag station". (65, 71)
1888
Post office at Cornwall Station discontinued. Its mail routed through Black Diamond. (327)
14 Sep 1888
Mary, wife of Oliver McAvoy, dies at McAvoy Station. (319, p. 74)
1893
Punnett's Sectional Map of Bay Counties shows only Avon, Bay Point and McAvoy between Martinez and Cornwall.
1897
"Government Ranch", previously owned by S. C. Hastings, Chief Justice of California Supreme Court, Senator Wm. M. Gwin, and now in estate of Leland Stanford, on the real estate market. (56)
1898
Construction of Copper King Smelter begins at Seal Bluff Landing at cost of $1,375,000. Financed by consortium of British investors, headed by shipbuilder, Christopher Furness, M.P. Other principals are Frank L. Gardner and W. H. Daly. Financing by Crocker-Woolworth bank in San Francisco. (37, 26, 44)
[Seal Bluff was in Section 1 of Township 2 North, Range 2 West and is now in the wetlands portion of Concord Naval Weapons Station]
1900
Contra Costa County consolidated into five school districts. In the second division are the following schools: Concord, Pacheco, Lime Quarry, Oak Grove,
Bay Point, Mt. Diablo, and Morgan. Terry Windall is Vice-President of Education. (181)
1907
Foskett and Elsworthy, Concord butchers and land speculators, purchase 1,300 acres of eastern half of Government Ranch from C. A. Hooper. They later buy Willow Pass-Concord section of Government ranch. (68)
1912
Petition presented to Board of Supervisors to change the name of the Bay Point School District to Ambrose School District. Hearing set for 18 March 1912. (212)
about 1910
Wm. H. Nichols Syndicate, financiers of General Chemical Company, builds about 50 homes and ten bunkhouses for plant workers across Bay Point Road from factory. Area named Nichols. Children attend Bay Point School.(29, 374)
9 Feb 1912
Board of Supervisors approve formation of Nichols School District. (345, p. 22, 374)
abt. 1914.
Weber's Map of Contra Costa County shows Bay Point, McAvoy, Ambrose, Cornwall, New York Landing and Pittsburg along East Contra Costa waterfront. Doesn't show West Pittsburg. (166)
1915
Map of Contra Costa County shows West Pittsburg for the first time. It is a tiny settlement, just inside the western border marking Los Medanos Rancho. Development may have been consequent to the construction of the O, A and E Railway from Sacramento to Oakland. West Pittsburg sits at a "T" junction where the tracks come in from the ferry and split in an east and west direction. It is just north of the San Pablo and Tulare railroad tracks. (167)
1917
Walnut Creek entrepreneur Robert Burgess obtains government contract (probably from the United States Shipping Board) and financing to build Pacific Coast Shipbuilding Company. 4,000 (400?) jobs created overnight. Clyde built to house workers. (1, 9)
1931 1928-1931
Shell Chemical Company builds ammonia production facility in West Pittsburg providing growth and stronger identity. Valuation of West Pittsburg grows substantially. (190, 193, 250)
Walter Van Winkle, President of Bay Point Chamber of Commerce, spearheads drive to change name from Bay Point to Port Chicago. Was originally an engineer for P, G. and E. Resigned and started his own power company in Bay Point. F. G. Cox suggested name "Chicago". (12, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
1937
Polk's City Directory of Pittsburg and Antioch has separate sections for Port Chicago and Brentwood. No mention of West Pittsburg. (137)
Jan 1947
Port Chicago is at its pinnacle, with 70 small businesses, the iron works, General Chemical and the nation's largest Naval magazine. Growth has created a shortage of housing. (188)
1954
Population of Port Chicago is 2,700. Shore Acres has 2,000. Nichols has about 200 persons. The Naval Magazine represents approximately 1% of the total land in Contra Costa. (163)
1955
Consequent to Army-Navy Explosives Safety Board study, Navy decides Port Chicago must go. Will provide two-mile safety buffer zone. Board of Supervisors, led by Supervisor Buchanan of Pittsburg calls for no expansion of the weapons station-close it as soon as possible. (143, 164, 307, 337)
1958
Port Chicago population down to 2,650, property values down 15-20%, retail business down 30%. "Save Port Chicago" committee headed by Judge Otto E. Lichti, who says: "This rapidly growing county is not the place for the magazine". (147)
23 May 1968
Federal Court dismisses civil suit to declare Navy take-over of Port Chicago unconstitutional. (110)
15 Nov 1969
Port Chicago's last civilian residents are Mr. and Mrs. Terry Bidelman. A WW II veteran of the Navy, the barricaded Bidelman said of his eviction from his home: "I think the country stinks." (1, 47, 149)
1960
West Pittsburg, along with Shore Acres, first appears in Polk's City Directory of Pittsburg and Antioch. (107)
1979
According to a Concord Naval Weapons Station study, 43% of the heads of household in West Pittsburg are unemployed. Approximately 37% of heads of household in Clyde are unemployed. (310)
1980
Population of West Pittsburg is 10,200, according to the 1980 U..S. Census. (238)
March 1987
Change in West Pittsburg image noted in Contra Costa Times as a result of "building boomlet". County Department of Community Development counts 16 housing developments consisting of over 2,000 units for West Pittsburg. West Pittsburg Alliance President Bill Filbeck says "I'm never going to say stop building.; we've had some good people move in here that wouldn't be here if we didn't build up." (228)
1990
Population of West Pittsburg is 17,453, according to the 1990 U.S. Census, an increase of 71% from 1980.. (238)
1 Mar 1993
Dean McLeod presents historical sketch of Bay Point and advocates to West Pittsburg Municipal Advisory Council changing the name to Bay Point. Brett Howard, Council member, spearheads drive for change. John Bolton provides organizational and strategic leadership (49)
10 Aug 1993
West Pittsburg becomes Bay Point.
[1]This village, mentioned by Fages and Crespi in 1772, DeAnza and Font in 1776, and others later was possibly at or near the archeological site known as CCO 241. Located just north of Highway 4, where the Walnut Creek was deep and wide.
[2]The location of this second village is guesswork. Crespi's journal says, after entering Diablo Valley, "We passed on and saw in the same valley two villages." It seems to refer to the village at Walnut Creek and then a subsequent one before ascending the Willow Pass. Bancroft interpreted as follows: "March 30th they advance two leagues to a large stream-Arroyo de las Nueces, near Pacheco; cross the fine valley of Santa Angela de Fulgino-Mt. Diablo Creek; pass two rancherias of friendly natives; and enter a range of low hills-in the vicinity of Willow Pass." Bancroft, Vol. I, p. 186
[3]Punitive raid led by Luis Peralta, October, 1804. Village site named "Monte del Diablo" or "thicket of the devil" by the soldiers, since they believed that "only the latter's intervention had made it possible for the Chupcans to escape them." Milliken, 1995, pp. 184-185. "The place I have petitioned for [Rancho Monte del Diablo] is properly called by the Indians "Chupcanes", afterwards designed by the troops by the name "Monte del Diablo", which can be proved, if it is necessary, for there are many persons who went that way in the first campaign." Salvio Pacheco, letter to Governor Echeandia, 30 Oct 1828, Board of U.S. Land Commissioners, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, Case 20, Bancroft Library.
