TELI RAMIREZ

Eli Ramirez contributed so much to the history of Union City. He is one of the threads in the city's tapestry that made Union City as it is today. As one of the earlier people who came to Union City during the days where there were only acres and acres of empty lands, he toiled hard to pave way to a better and beautiful Union City.

Eli Ramirez was born on August 27, 1927 and his wife Juanita, on June 30, 1927. Both of them are 72 years old now and enjoying the fruits of their labor. They gave six children to the world, Eli, Jr., Martha, Rosie and Armando, (deceased), Robert, (deceased,) and Lily (deceased.) Together they have 21 grandchildren and several great and great great grandchildren. Originally from Texas, they came to Union City in 1944. They got married the same year and and they will be celebrating their 55th year of marriage soon.

Coming to Union City, Eli said that he sacrificed living in a chicken coupe at 6th Street in Decoto because during those times, there were very few rental homes. He stayed there for seven months.

After getting out of the U. S. Navy in 1944, he started working for the Pacific States Steel as a laborer. He built layers and layers of bricks. He retired after 30 years in 1974 and is now getting social security disability retirement.

He said that people who came that time to work for the Pacific States Steel were mostly people from Texas. His father and brother also worked there. He remembers that they employed mostly women during that time but they let them go after the war was over.

His wife Juanita, who worked in the fields, too, remembers the vast areas of greens. They picked cauliflowers, apricots, and tomatoes

The Ramirez' now live in San Juan Street in the very first development called Casa Verde. When the first two blocks were built by the developer, he custom-built his four bedroom house in 1960. He boasts that it only cost him around $27,000. That is not the only house he owns; he has two more homes in Decoto and one house in Niles.

His favorite past time is watching TV and going to Reno. They are members of St. Anne Catholic Church.

They reminisce the old Decoto as nice and quiet. There was no police that time; the police came from Hayward.

At present, Eli Ramirez goes around with his cowboy hat, cowboy attire and complete with his cowboy boots. ``This is the old Texan from far away Texas,'' he said mimicking a native Texan.

.......and yes, he is also waiting for the benefit that he will receive from the Pacific States Steel. He just hopes that he is still alive when it comes.

Union City - Today

November 23, 1999 - Swearing In Ceremony

Mayor Mark Green and Councilman Ben Elias took their oaths of office before a packed council chambers. Both Green and Elias retained their seats in the November 2, 1999 election.

Ben Elias was sworn in by their pastor. It was a nice and symbolic scene with his wife Carmen by his side holding a bible.

Mark Green was sworn in by one of the Board of Supervisors, Scott Haggerty.

The speeches were thanking all their supporters for giving them another term to serve the city. They said they would continue with what projects they are doing right now and they will work with the city council members inorder to achieve what is good for the people.

It was a glittering celebration. The color guard entered and there was a pledge of allegiance led by the mayor. The Union City Men's Trio consisting of Louie Gutierrez III, Elias Rios and Daniel Meintasis sang the national anthem.

Councilman Manny Fernandez was named vice mayor.

Tri-City Historic Sites

``Voting Matters'', the League of Women Voters' program which looks at current issues of local interest, looked at the Historic Districts in Fremont, Newark and Union City.

On November 18, 1999, Maryann Klaue, interviewed the three Tri-City's people, who are instrumental in making history happen in their city.

The three historians are Jack Burgess of Newark, who is in the process of starting a historical museum in Newark, Philip Holmes of the Washington Township in Fremont and Myrla Raymundo of the Union City Historical Museum. These people had been working hard to preserve Tri-City history. She asked them what is happening with history in the Tri Cities and what are their goals or plans that they want to achieve in the near future.

The program, produced at TCI in Fremont was a comprehensive interview and it will be aired in Fremont and Newark.

Krispy Kremes Doughnuts

Krispy Kremes, a popular doughnut chain with deep Southern roots, has selected Union City for its first of three Bay Area locations. This doughnut is not just any kind of flour concoction; it is the hot, yeast-raised glazed doughnuts that are so tasty and delicious. They have 14 other tasty varieties and seasonal creations.

Construction began on November 29, 1999 on a 4,000-square foot Union City store at the Dyer and Alvarado Niles road in Union Landing.

For our history recording, this is a first in the Bay Area. Welcome, Krispy Kremes!

From the Museum Treasurer, Miles Price:

We welcome the residents of Union City to become members of the very first historical museum in Union City. The following are the members as of December 1999.

• Patti Adams, Secretary
• Carson Adams
• Alice Arce
• Braswell, Steven
• Braswell, Norma
• Elvamae Borghi
• Frank Borghi, Jr.
• Alison Buenaventura
• Mike Christ
• Gertrude Corchero
• Regina Dennie
• Brian Eady
• Barry Ferrier
• Mrs. Barry Ferrier
• Carmen Jaramillo
• Jaime Jaramillo
• Eva Kamakea
• Heide Kitayama
• Tom Kitayama
• Darlene Hicks
• Jeanne Larson
• Elaine Martin
• Commissioner Hugh McNamara
• Museum of Local History, Fremont
• Dennis Olsen
• Mary Olsen
• Larry Orozco
• Jess Orozco
• Ruth Orozco
• Miles Price, Treasurer
• Rita Price
• Commissioner Myrla Raymundo,
• President
• Ligfinio Raymundo
• Emilio Re
• Marjorie Re
• Orlando S. Rivera
• Commissioner Georgia Santa Maria
• Leonard F. Silva
• Lupe St. Denis
• Joan Schlaepfer
• Norman Shepard
• Margaret Shepard
• Carmen Smeester
• Estelle Starr
• Timothy Swenson, Vice-President
• Midge Thornton
• Councilmember Richard Valle
• Commissioner Phil Verzola -
• (Lifetime Member)
• Commissioner Tony Vierra
• Rita Vierra

A Glimpse of History

Compiled By Timothy Swenson, Vice President

Ohlone Era - Up to 1797

• Shell mounds found on Alameda Creek
• Kitchen Middens found on back of Alameda and Dry Creeks
• Population of about 400 in Washington Township
• Ohlone village and display at Coyoto Hills Regional park

Mission Era - 1797 to 1846

• 1797 Mission San Jose founded
• Union City part of mission lands
• Mission embarcadero on Alameda Creek
• Missions secularized in 1832 after separation from Spain
• Rancho Arroyo de la Alameda
• -Granted to Jose de Jesus Vallejo in 1842
• -17,000 Acres from Alameda Creek past Arroyo Alta (Harder Rd)
• -Covered Decoto and Niles
• Rancho Potrero de los Cerritos
• -Granted to Augustine Alviso & Thomas Pacheco in 1814
• -10,610 acres covering Alvarado, Newark, Centerville, & Irvington
• -Pacheco Adobe near Decoto
• -Alviso Adobe near Alvarado
• -1814 Sold produce to Russians

Pioneer Era1846 to 1899

• 1846 - ``Brooklyn'' arrives bringing Mormon settlers
• 1851 - John Horner built landing on Alameda Creek, with Steamship ``Union''
• Horner laid out Streets for Union City
• Horner shipping produce to San Francisco
• HC Smith built store across from Union City and called it New haven
• 1853 - First County Court House on 2nd floor of Smith's store
• 1854 - New Haven and Union City united to form Alvarado, named after governor of Ala California

Time of Firsts

• 1854 - First stage line between Alvarado and Mission
• 1853 - First steampowered mill
• First bridge over Alameda Creek built by Horners
• First Alvarado hotel built by A. M. Veasy
• 1853 - First private school started

Industries

• 1862 - Alvarado Salt Works founded by John Quigley
• 1871 - Alvarado Sugar Co. bought by Dyers (First Sugar Beet Factory)
• 1873 - Glue Factory Established

Railroads

• 1867 - WP Line through Decoto - Decoto Station Built (torn down in 1955)
• 1878 - SPC Line through Alvarado
• -Narrow Gauge, Standard Gauge in 1906
• -Alvarado Station Built (torn down in 1969)
• -Hall Shelter built
• -1887 - Bought by SP
• -Spur to Alvarado Sugar Co.

Decoto

• Streets laid out in 1870 after railroad put in
• Dry Creek Picnic Park
• Masonic Home founded in 1898

1868 Earthquake

• Fissures in earth between Hayward & Decoto
• Brick shop in Alvarado destroyed.

FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE UNION CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

Myrla Raymundo, MBA

As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Union City Historical Museum, I would like to reiterate the mission statement of the organization. The Union City Historical Museum is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to recording and preserving the history of Union City, California. The organization's primary goals are to record an oral history from people living in the community, identify and encourage preservation of historical buildings and maintain a museum containing artifacts, historical documents, and historical books.

The Museum Officers are:

• Myrla Raymundo, MBA - President
• Timothy Swenson - Vice President
• Miles Price - Treasurer
• Patti Adams - Secretary

The Union City Historical Museum meets on the first Monday of the Month at the Union City City Hall at 7:00 PM. Please come and join us and talk history.

Please visit our Website at :http://members.xoom.com/ucmuseum/

Phil Versola - First Lifetime Member

I am very pleased to report that we have our very first Lifetime Member. Here's an excerpt of his letter to the Union City Historical Museum:

``I am pleased to enclose $200.00 for my lifetime membership to the Union City Historical Museum. As a Union City Human Relations Commissioner, it is my duty to acknowledge, appreciate and promote the many cultures in our fair city. Your organization's first goal, which is recorded in your Mission Statement, is to record an oral history from people living in the community. Webster's Dictionary defines the word culture as the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon man's capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations. By recording the oral history of the people of Union City, you are preserving the most precious gifts of the wisdom and traditions that make up the culture of Union City. It is therefore my pleasure to acknowledge, appreciate and promote the wonderful work this organization is doing and to be a member of the Union City Historical Museum.''

We would like to thank you, Phil, for your benevolence. We have so much to do to achieve our dream.

Michael (Mike) Christ - First Prize Winner of Birdhouses

I am also pleased to announce that one of our charter members, Michael Christ, won first place on his creation of the birdhouse - ``Rooms With Views'' at the Sulphur Creek in Hayward. It was a spectacular birdhouse with plenty of rooms complete with windows and curtains.

Mike was instrumental in making the replica of the old Victorian house located at the old Drive Inn Theater, now the Union Landing. Congratulations, Mike.