MESSAGE FROM THE CEO/PRESIDENT

Dear Members and Friends of the Union City Historical Museum,

I wish to remind you that you live in a great city, Union City. It is a city that is still continuing to grow. The city has benefited from its natural beauty and resources, rows and rows of big and beautiful homes, a Union Landing, which caters to not only the Union City people, but also people from nearby cities. These people enjoy the many plush restaurants and a big cinema, a vibrant and continuously changing culture and population, and a history that ultimately is blessed. Most of all, it is also a great place to live and work.

There are sights to see in every corner of the city, each offering wonders about the city and its people. Our culture and history are placed in high regard, and visitors come to a fresh understanding of what it means to be in Union City.

We have to remember that on this sacred ground long time ago, our early people lived and enjoyed our place. We also have to remember our past city leaders and ancestors who worked hard to make our city what it is today.

The Union City Historical Museum is the place to go and read all about our past and to spend moments to relive the olden times. The Museum speaks to our commitment as a city, to going back and educating us about our culture and heritage.

Please continue to support our activities.

Myrla Raymundo, MBA CEO/President

THE UNION CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM IS OPEN

The Museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The Museum has a lot of materials and historical documents for your reading pleasure. The Museum also has an educational program that is now available to all city residents and schools. Come and visit the Museum and we will give you a historical tour. We are sure you will enjoy seeing our past. For more info, call the Museum at (510) 324- 3298 or 489-0133.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A MUSEUM IN UNION CITY?

You Learn About Us... Our Mission Statement - The Union City Historical Museum is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation, maintenance and protection of, and the education of the public about the architectural, cultural, natural and historical heritage resources of the City of Union City.

The Museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

You Discover the History of Union City... Knowledge of the past enables residents to understand the present and to make informed decisions that will affect their future.

History is kept alive in the Museum and made accessible to the residents for the enlightenment of everyone. The Museum has resources for people who seek to know the past.

You Explore Our Collections... The collection is a well-organized reference and research collecting tool consisting of books, pamphlets, periodicals, newspapers, photographs, images, maps, posters, and slides relating chiefly to Union City,

The collection is also a display of very interesting artifacts; such as things used in old homes, an old refrigerator and antique wooden stove used by the Ralph family who lived in Vallejo Street and other old things used by our ancestors and Union City old timers.

Your Membership is Important... The Museum welcomes the membership of all who are interested in Union City history. The Museum has more or less 100 members who take seriously their responsibilities to be of service to the community.

We Provide Programs and Services.. Education in the history of Union City is foremost in our services to the people

The bi-monthly Museum Newsletter serves as a vehicle of information to the members, the city and the community. It contains a lot of historical tidbits and interesting information about the past and present Union City.

Annual Conference... In addition to overseeing the collection, managing the diverse programs and maintaining and preserving the historical homes and structures and interviewing people in the city, we plan to develop an Annual Conference for the benefit of the members and interested residents. You Find Out What's New.. Everyday we add to our collections. Museum Directors Reiner and Sheryl Glausch are busy looking for antiques in Union City and providing the Museum with things used during the old times by our ancestors and long time residents.

President Myrla Raymundo, Vice- President Tim Swenson and Director Phil Verzola are continually collecting historical documents to add to its voluminous collections of historical records.

We Serve Our Community... The coming years promise us to be a busy and productive time for the Museum. Many of the plans and programs that have been discussed will become realities, as our Museum continues to thrive to meet the demand for services in the community.

And so.... There is so much to look forward to the coming years. We are busy with new programs in addition to enhancing and expanding existing ones. These will allow us to continue to open our doors to the community to show the history of our city.. by myrla raymundo

MUSEUM DOCENTS

We're calling on the Museum members to help us. If you're available in any of those days, please come by and help.

The training for Museum Docents continues every Saturday at 10:00 AM and at 2:00 PM. You will feel fulfilled knowing that you are helping in the preserving and recording of the history of our city. You will also have a full knowledge of the history of Union City. Museum Docents man the Museum, do library work, conduct tours of the Museum and make educational presentations.

We'll wait for your call at the Museum (510) 324-3298 or call Myrla Raymundo, President, at (510) 489-0133 or E-Mail at RAYMYR@aol.com.

MUSEUM OFFICIALS ON THE GO

The Museum officials are always on the go. The following attended city events during the months of May and June 2001:

Tim Swenson did a Cub Scouts' tour of the Museum last May 2nd, 2001.

Reiner and Sheryl Glausch prepared a museum booth at the PAL Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5, 2001 at the Kennedy Community Park. The truck show was successful.

Hugh McNamara attended the Mixers given by the Chamber of Commerce.

Ray and Myrla Raymundo and Hugh McNamara attended the opening of the new buildings of the Union Sanitary District. The USD management promised the Union City Historical Museum that they will give all the artifacts about the old water pump to the museum for our display.

Miles Price gave a historical presentation to the Union City seniors in their regular meeting last June 18, 2001. It was a great presentation.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

The Union City Historical Museum not only records oral histories from people living in the community, collects artifacts and displays them in the Museum and maintains a library for books and historic documents; but also identifies and encourages preservation of historical homes and buildings.

In connection with the city's Preservation Ordinance, the Museum periodically submits ten historical homes and buildings for designation as historical.

In January 2001, seven properties were designated within the City's Landmark and Historic Preservation (LHP) Overlay Zone.

The seven properties included: 30947 Vallejo Street - August May House 4214 Horner Street - former Alvarado Presbyterian Church 3848-3850 Smith Street - former barbershop, pool hall and store 3938-3940 smith Street - Dinsmore- Granger General Store 3939 Smith Street - Filipino Community Senior Center 31014 Union City Boulevard - former bank 30971 Watkins Street - single-family residence.

Another ten homes were submitted by the Museum in April 2001 for consideration by the Planning Commission and the City Council. Six homes were designated within the City's Landmark and Historic Preservation (LHP) Overlay Zone.

The six building were: 33703 13th St. 33555 2nd St. 33655 5th St. 33631 9th St. 33121 Alvarado Niles Rd 33831 10th St.

Three homes were postponed till next September 2001.

NAMING OF CITY STREETS

On May 22nd at the City Council Chambers, the city council presented commemorative street signs to former city councilmembers. Streets in the new development will be named after George Sloan, Will Davis, Irv Williams, Bernie Morales, Henry Franco, Leo Alvelais and Delaine Eastin. The city's Public Information Officer Roberto Munoz coordinated with the Museum's President Myrla Raymundo.

MUSEUM WEBSITE

The Museum's website, which is also in the city's website, had been enhanced by the Museum's Vice President Tim Swenson. Please visit it.

MUSEUM'S WISH LIST

The Museum wishes to have the following for use in the office. Any donation?

Computer, Printer, FAX Microwave Oven Office Desk

HISTORICAL PROFILE - BERNIE MORALES

Bernie Morales, former Union City councilmember and mayor sits comfortably in his cozy house at Nidus Court by Alvarado Niles. His favorite activities nowadays are living casually and being outdoors.

Bernie Morales was born on May 20, 1917 in Lyons, Kansas. He lived in his historical home at 33640, 6th Street since 1945. He has two grown sons and two grown daughters. He then moved out of his home and settled in his present residence.

Bernie leaned towards social services work helping young adults in the county. He was successful in producing productive adults in our community.

Bernie, the first Mexican-American to be elected to public office in Alameda County, was elected to the City Council on April 1964, 2 years as a councilman and two terms as mayor until the end of his term in 1968.

When we look at a man like Bernie who had had phenomenal success in his services to Union City, we can't help but ask what is it that motivates him achieve such accomplishments. His answer is "the desire to a commitment for excellence and an obsessive desire to win." And so we mention his long list of accomplishments.

He was the past chairman of American G. I. Forum and a member of Mayor's Conference. He was appointed to the Human Relations Commission of Alameda County. He founded the SASSO (Southern Alameda County Spanish Speaking organizations and he was a member of Commission Honorifica Mexicana, and was vice chairman of the Union City Teen Club.

We are amazed at his numerous accomplishments during his term of office.

He was the Mayor when city departments were formed; the Police Department began operation and the Public Works Department was established. During his term the City office expansion went to 6800 square feet, including 1300 square foot council chambers. He was responsible in the establishment of the Citizens Advisory Committee.

He was not always amenable to issues; he successfully opposed curbside mail delivery. He was instrumental in getting Decoto Drainage interceded through Supervisor Murphy, was also responsible in the establishment of the Workable Program Application. He dedicated a Tot Lot to the city.

He contributed to the Decoto/Alvarado Housing and Area Improvement Program, the Whipple Road Improvements, which was completed totaling $200,000, the completion of the E" Street Assessment District totaling $60,000, the acquisition of 4.6 million dollars for Alameda Creek, the relocation of freeway, and the introduction of the proposed five-year street improvement program.

Other accomplishments were the acquisition of the Holly Sugar House for use of the city, his participation in the new Careerist Program, his participation in the Bond Issue for streets and parks, which was successfully passed totaling $1,150,000, the start of the 701 Program and the continuation of the Planning Grant. It was his time when the Park Dedication Ordinance was adopted. That time also, the tax rate was reduced from $1.00 to $.95/$100 of assessed valuation. He undertook special census, which showed Union City's new population to be a total of 11,421.

During that period, residential, industrial and commercial growth continued at a high rate. During the 1966-67 fiscal year, the total assessed valuation was $29,450,787 as compared to a total of $23,949,105 for the previous year.

During that period also, Union City was the first to pass the Underground Utility Ordinance in Alameda County.

So, when we look at a man like Bernie Morales, who had had phenomenal success in his services to Union City, we can't help but ask what is it that motivates him achieve such accomplishments. His answer is "the desire to a commitment for excellence and an obsessive desire to win." And so what Bernie said is true. With his long list of accomplishments for the City of Union City and for the Alameda County, he is really committed to excellence.

LITTLE BOBBY MARTIN

Little Bobby Martin is the 5-year-old son of Officer Bobby Martin of the Union City Police Department. He is also the grandson of our very own charter member Elaine Martin and the great grandson of the very first Volunteer Fire Chief Elvin Rose. He recently visited the Museum and he quipped, "I lived in this fire station. This is my room."

IN MEMORIAM

We regret to inform our membership of the sudden death of one of our beloved members, Joan T. Schlaepfer. We send her family our heartfelt condolence.

A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY..

DECOTO BEGINNINGS

 Decoto came into being because of the growth of the railroads. Only a few farm families lived on the eastern plain between Dry Creek, on the north, and Alameda Creek, on the south.

The "big four" railroad promoters, Governor Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, C. P. Huntington and Hopkins, planned to build the Central Pacific from a junction with the Union Pacific out of Omaha, across the Sierra to the Sacramento River, to connect with Western Pacific. In 1865 the contract was let for the original "Western Pacific" (San Jose branch) from San Jose to Stockton, but it only reached Niles, where its terminus was formed in 1866, and two years later reached the Central Pacific connection of the eastern end of Brighton near Sacramento. It opened from Sacramento to San Jose via Niles on September 6, 1869.

EZRA DECOTO -  The Decoto Family

A French-Canadian who started out as an Alameda truck farmer in 1854 gave his name to Decoto. Within a few years Ezra Decoto and his family were represented in the school district, Alameda County judicial operations, the Fire Department, and the Decoto Land Company.

Ezra was attracted by the gold rush to California. His parents, Charles and Mary, were from near Three Rivers, Ontario, in Canada. Their original name was de Coteau. Ezra, born in 1833, was a cooper in Hazardville, Connecticut.

He bought land from the heirs of "Senor" Jose Joaquin Estudillo on Rancho San Leandro and had a prosperous truck farm. During the Civil War in 1862 Decoto sold the farm and bought land near Mt. Eden from Barbara Soto. When they heard a railroad might come through Niles Canyon in 1867, Decoto and his brothers, Adolphus and John, purchased 334 acres on the old Mission road, three miles north of Vallejo's Mills. After the Central Pacific Railroad right- of-way was determined, some local land promoters formed the Decoto Land Company. They bought 234 of the original 334 acres from the Decoto Brothers (Ezra, Adolphus and John) to lay out the town of Decoto.

In 1860 Ezra married Miss Janel Lowrie, a native of Scotland. Their four daughters were Lizzie, Mary, Janet and Alvina. The three sons were Ezra, Jr., Lewis, and Peter.

Ezra Sr. served 10 years on the School Board of the Cosmopolitan School District formed in 1867. Valle vista and Decoto were the two district schools, with about 20 students. The principal was T.J. James.

Ezra, Jr., became a lawyer and was elected Alameda County District Attorney and Superior Court Judge. (Chief Justice Earl Warren was one of his proteges.) He died in l948. Janet (Jennie) married August May. Peter Decoto stayed on the farm and was active in the town and the volunteer fire department. He was president of the Decoto Chamber of Commerce. Alvina Decoto was in charge of a Sunday school in the early 1880's. It expanded and grew into the Congregational Church in 1893. (Excerpts from different History Books)

NEWS! NEWS! NEWS!
THE MUSEUM IN THE PAPERS

There was a recent article in the Argus newspaper regarding an investigation of two invoices on the Museum's opening day expenses. There was an error in the payment process on the vendors' part; and therefore Councilmember Carol Dutra Vernaci and Human Relations Commissioners Yolanda Triana and Sandy Holder conducted their investigation on the matter. The two invoices had now been paid and cleared.

It just seems unfortunate that the Argus was quick in reporting the incident to the media before the investigation is over, to the detriment of the Museum officials and to the Museum as a whole.

The Museum officials are volunteers and they were trying so hard to put together the Museum during those times, in preparation for the opening day last February 23rd, 2001. The officials were even donating their own resources because of lack of funding. The Human Relations Commission that time disapproved the cultural grant request of $1,500 for the Museum's opening.

Well, despite of the bad media, which is not good for the Museum and for the City of Union City, the Union City Historical Museum is very much alive and well as ever. Come and visit us. The Museum is here to stay.

HISTORY PRESENTATION

The Museum continues with its objective of educating the community on the history of our city. A group of sixth grade students from the Alvarado Middle School came for a presentation of Union City history on June 7th. The 12 students are under Betsy Hartenfeld, who is also a member of the Museum.

HISTORICAL TOURS

Tim Swenson, the Museum's Vice- President is now planning historical tours in the Historic Alvarado area and the Dry Creek area. Call the Museum if you are interested in joining the tour.

DUCK CLUB

Does anyone know who is the contact person for the defunct Duck Club in the 511 area? Please call the Museum so we can make a story about it.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The Museum's General Membership meeting and Election of Officers for the Fiscal Year 2001-2002 was held on June 4, 2001. The members unanimously voted the existing Officials and Board of Directors to take the leadership for the coming year. Congratulations to all. HISTORICAL HUTCH AND FIRE HYDRANT Does anyone remember Chuck Jones, who used to be a permanent fixture at city council meetings? He moved out of the area and he and his wife donated an old hutch and an old, old fire hydrant to the Museum. Thanks to the "muscles" Reiner Glausch, Jess Garcia, Bruce Hevelin and Tim Swenson for lifting the super heavy piece of furniture.

DIRECTORS' CORNER

The Museum needs your help! We are having a Museum Beautification Project on July 14, 2001 starting at 10:00 A.M. This project consists of removal of weeds and debris from the Museum grounds. If you would like to volunteer for the project, you can call the Museum (324- 3298), or call Museum directors Reiner and Sheryl Glausch (487-9428), by July 13th. We are requesting that volunteers bring gardening tools (rakes, shovels, gardening shears, gloves, etc.) if you have them. Your help with this project will enhance the appearance of the Museum, and is greatly appreciated.

If the beautification project is beyond your physical capabilities, we also need volunteers for manning the Museum during operating hours. The need for volunteers for this purpose is year-round. As members, your contribution of time will ensure that the Museum is always operating at its best. We thank you for your help.

P.S. Director Ray Raymundo will provide a sumptuous lunch and beverages for the cleaning crew.

Reiner and Sheryl Glausch Directors

MUSEUM BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Myrla Raymundo, MBA - CEO/President
Timothy Swenson - Vice-President
Eva Kamakea - Secretary
Hugh McNamara - Treasurer
Miles Price
Rita Price
Ligfinio Ray Raymundo
Phil Verzola
Mike Christ
Jess Garcia
Frank Borghi, Jr.
Al Rose
Reiner Glausch
Sheryl Glausch
Bruce Hevelin

UNION CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM LIFETIME MEMBERS

 Thanks to our Supporters

Phil & Leila Verzola
John & Cathy Tester
Timothy & Catherine Swenson
Eva Kamakea
Georgia Megue Santa Maria
Ligfinio (Ray) & Myrla Raymundo
Gina Lewis
Reiner & Sheryl Glausch
Al & Marsha Badella
Barbara Schiefler

Union City Historical Museum 3841 Smith Street Union City, California 94587