FRANK BORGHI, JR.

Here is a story of one of our pillars in Union City.

You can see and feel the history and heritage of Union City in its old homes, objects and in places that show us our collective past. These historical homes and artifacts are a tangible link to people and events that have shaped the lives of Union City residents. People also helped shape the history of Union City. What we are enjoying now are works done by these people who dedicated their entire lives to the betterment of our city. They are very much a link to the history of Union City.

One of these dedicated residents is Frank Borghi, Jr. who had been very much involved in civic matters in Union City. He participated in the Union City incorporation 40 years ago, was in the Board of Directors of Alameda County Water district for 32 years and served as its President for eight one-year term, was a Trustee of the New Haven Unified School District, was also the President of the Decoto Chamber of Commerce, later known as the Union City Chamber of Commerce.

And now Frank Borghi, with his wife Elvamae of 46 years, live in their beautiful and cozy home in the historic Decoto area in Union City. When they got married in 1953, he was boasting that he paid only $5,000 for the house, added an upstairs family room for $8,000, and built a swimming pool for $12,000. "You can't beat that now a days." he said. The house is full of mementos of Borghi's accomplishments.

The couple have three boys. Robert, age 41, is a math and science teacher at Redwood City. David, 31, is a physical education teacher. David is an Acalanes baseball coach in high school and won 2 championship in a row. The eldest son was killed in an auto accident.

Borghi was born in Union City in 1924 and had lived in this city all his life. His parents had a dairy business during those early days. The dairies were located across Whipple Road, in Ardenwood Park and a land in Newark, now called Newpark Mall. Elvamae was born in 1932, and grew up in Fremont and then in lived in Union City.

Borghi's mother Bessie Borghi, born in 1897, was a celebrity. She was the oldest person in Union City during the first Gladiola Festival and so she rode in a vintage car during the parade. Bessie died in 1986 at the age of 89. Frank's father was 83 years old when he died in 1969.

Reigning as queens runs in the family. Borghi's pretty wife Elvamae became the first queen of the Alameda County Fair in 1950 and was given a trip to Hollywood and was a guest on "Queen For A Day" on radio.

Borghi wass part of the Union City's continued fight to save Union City from being taken by Hayward and Fremont. He was the Chairman of the Steering Body of the Union City Incorporation Committee. This committee was formed to study the best future course for the two towns, Alvarado and Decoto, whether the said areas would either incorporate as Union City or annex to Fremont. Borghi, together with his committee, contacted Union City residents to determine how many will ask for exclusion from Hayward's annexation when a protest hearing was set. He formed a Finance Committee to raise funds for continuing the fight.

Borghi had been a trustee of Washington Union High School District and the New Haven Unified School district for 11 years; had been a member of the County Commission for Redistricting of School Districts; a member of the Steering Committee for formation of Junior College District; and a Commissioner of the Decoto Fire Department. He had served since 1975 as a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of California Water Agencies, and has served as Chairman of the County Water Districts Section, was Chairman of the Membership Committee, and a member of the Groundwater Management Committee.

Borghi had served continuously on the Board of Directors of Alameda County Water District for 32 years since his appointment on February 8, 1962. He had served as its President for eight one-year terms.

When the city created the Union City Advisory Fire Committee of the Alvarado Fire district. Borghi was one of the members.

Looking at old newspaper clippings, you could see Borghi, as a Trustee of the New Haven Unified School District, with a group of Union City leaders, with shovels set to beautify the grounds of the new Union City Library in a community-wide landscaping ceremony. A record number of 250 turned out for the event and more than 25 local service groups and individuals donated shrubs and plants, including those from the Merchant Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

As Trustee and Board President, Borghi was published in the newspaper, breaking ground for the Washington Union High School district's new James Logan High School.

Borghi, as Chairman of the Union City Steering Committee of the Union Sanitary District, strongly urged the Union District to offer services to the Alvarado-North Decoto area. He said some 2000 acres out there were going into the Union Sanitary District. and that this might keep it from joining Hayward. He urged the property owners to join the Alvarado Sanitary District, and encouraged the enlarged district to consolidate with Union Sanitary District. That way, a separate treatment plant with connection lines could be built in Alvarado to give adequate service to the natural basin. Presently, the Union Sanitary District is serving the Tri-City areas and will be moving its entire administrative operation in Union City.

Borghi, as President of the Decoto Chamber of Commerce, proposed the merging of the Decoto Chamber with the Alvarado Chamber to form a new Union City Chamber of Commerce. Presently the Union City Chamber of Commerce is serving the whole Union City.
Borghi had done so much for Union City. And now, he together with his wife, relax in their cozy home and go on trips to Europe, Asia, Vietnam, Hawaii, Alaska, Portugal and Switzerland. They recently visited relatives in Italy and had attended four Super Ball games. Borghi plays golf and play cards with friends.

These days, Borghi reminisces the good old days, when Union City was a mass of land, with cauliflower and carrots and the beautiful gladiolas, for which the city is noted. He drives around and looks at the new half a million homes scattered all over, the commercial districts, the upcoming Union Landing with huge commercial buildings and a 25 screen theatre.

Here is a man, a Union City native, a community builder, who is very much part of the history of Union City. The history of Frank Borghi, Jr., together with his family, is embodied in Union City's collective past. Borghi is a tangible link to people and events that have shaped the lives of Union City residents. What we are enjoying now are the works done by Borghi and his group of civic-minded people, who had dedicated their entire lives to the betterment of our city. Frank Borghi, Jr. is very much a link to the history of Union City.

A GLIMPSE OF UNION CITY HISTORY

First County Seat --When Alameda County became a county by itself in 1853 by Act of the State Legislature, Alvarado was chosen as its first county seat. That showed how important Alvarado was at that time in the eyes of the politicians of the county.

Alvarado Theatre --Ed Naharro owned a big Alvarado Business block. He owned the Alvarado Theater, the whole corner business block occupied by the Doughnut Shop, Mike's Place and the Alvarado Theatre. In addition to that he owned another business section on Levee Street, the Gallitoc Cafe and the Half Way House.

Ed had a baseball team named the Alvarado Theater team, which played Sundays at the High School grounds at Centerville. It was managed by his brother-in- law, Joe Sanchez.

The movie house not only showed the latest pictures, but also had modern equipment, nice easy chairs, and the best of accommodations.

Alvarado Doughnut Shop--Frank Guitierrez, a well-known Alvarado man, owned and operated the Alvarado Doughnut Shop. The fountain and lunches were well patronized.

Mike Salido's "Place"--Mike Salido operated the Mike's Place on V Street entrance of the Alvarado Theater, next to the Doughnut Shop. Many patrons enjoyed liquid refreshment and a genial host.

Alvarado-Home of Holly Sugar Mill-
The first Alvarado Sugar Factory was organized as the California Beet Sugar Manufacturing Company in 1867 and began work of manufacturing sugar from beets in 1870.

A new company was organized by E. H. Dyer as the Standard Sugar Mfg. Co., in 1879, and operated until 1886, when the boilers blew up and killed a fireman. The new organization in 1887 was called the Pacific Coast Sugar Co., but it only lasted one year. In 1889, the property was purchased by the Alameda Sugar Co., and it had been a successful venture, and became the property of the Holly Sugar Company, under whose management the plant had been almost entirely remodeled and brought up to date. The plant was large employing a large number of people during the height of the season, and a crew of around fifty even during the slack period of the year.

Alvarado Fire Department -Alvarado had a nice Fire Department building. The first chief was Anthony Vargas.

Manchados Garage - One of the best equipment garages was Manuel Mancho's Garage at Alvarado

Tanay Café - The cafe next door was a fine eating place handled by Frank Sacramento.

Alvarado School - The first school in Alvarado was a private one. It was established in 1853, but was soon made over into a public school. Erected in 1924, the District Superintendent was Leslie Maffey, and the Trustees were Manual Goularte, George Hockling, President and Wilbert Hendricks.

Now days if you peek through a hole in Union City, you won't see the Costanoan Indians. These were the people who greeted the Spaniards who crossed the Union City plain in 1775. The Costanoans lived in Indian villages ranged along Dry Creek above where it joins Alameda Creek. These explorers called them Costanoans, meaning the Coastal people. There were about 8,000 of the Coastal people that time. They spent the day in their balsa boats, snaring seafowl, gathering eggs
Gathering eggs, shellfish, and abalone. They built their boards, sometimes even crossing the south part of the Bay in search for seafood. They gathered salt crystals from the marsh grass-stalks or driftwood.

Instead you will see a diverse group of people living gracefully in plush Ponderosa homes, Pulte homes, the Meridian, the Brookstone, Park Ridge Porter Homes, Catellus development and the Kaufmann and broad. We also have the older section the Casa Verde homes

If you peek through another hole in Union City, you won't see the small boat "the Horner" going up and down the Barron landing in the sprawling Union Sanitary District property. Instead, you will soon see two beautiful Administrative Building of the Union Sanitary District, where all the employee in Fremont were transferred in this location from Dusterberry Street, in Fremont.

Let's peek through another hole and you won't see the old general store in Alvarado.

Instead it is a spruce up Bronco Billy Pizza Place, the One-Cup, the Marlene's baskets, the Farmers Market and the nice Caesar Chavez park..

Peering through another hole, the old China Town in Alvarado District is nowhere to be found. What's left of the building of the First County Courthouse is just a landmark.

However, you will see a lot of different things. The city now boast of a new senior center, a sprawling Logan High School, Union City AC Transit and the BART Trains transporting car-less people to and from work.
And lastly, we now have the Union City Historical Museum.

What a big change in Union City. And it is only after a hundred years.

NEWS BITS

Museum Building - We are in deepest gratitude to the Union City Council for dedicating a temporary Museum Building to us and the Union City Staff who worked hard to give the City Council a comprehensive report that led to the approval of the building. The site will be at the Union Landing.

As we all know the Museum will encourage the interest of the residents in the history of Union City, will serve both as a museum and a library for historical books and documents, will provide a place for students and enthusiasts to visit and conduct their research and eventually will benefit our community and the future generations.

Again, our heartfelt gratitude the City of Union City for their efforts in providing us a place.

Union City Historical Museum Committees - The following committees were formed and Chairpersons appointed:

Museum Building -Myrla Raymundo
Grant Writing - Tim Swenson
Website - Tim Swenson
Newsletter - Myrla Raymundo
Union City History Book - Myrla Raymundo
Participation in the 40th anniversary of the City of Union City - July 31, 1999-
Georgia Santa Maria
Union City Chamber of Commerce - Hugh McNamara & Myrla Raymundo
Fundraising - Patti Adams
Membership - Vacant
Grand Opening of the Museum (August 1999) - Vacant
Historical Building Preservation - Vacant

Membership In Chamber Of Commerce

The Union City Historical Museum is now a member of the Union City Chamber of Commerce. As such we are entitled to a lot of benefits to name a few:

• Membership Directory
• Union City Business Newsletter
• Chamber Weekly FAX & Monthly Mailer
• Marketing Tools
• Business Expo
• Networking in Monthly Luncheons and Mixers
• Local Government Representation

Through the Chambers we will be able to make the residents be aware of our existence and to make them enjoy a walk through Union City's history. Mr. Marshall Mitzman, the Chamber's CEO, will be able to help us in our ribbon cutting ceremony during our opening. Hugh McNamara and Myrla Raymundo will the Museum's representatives to the Chamber.

Welcome First Paid Members

• Myrla Raymundo
• Carson Adams
• Ray Raymundo
• Tony Vierra
• Miles Price
• Rita Vierra
• Alison Buenaventura
• Jess Orozco
• Hugh McNamara
• Larry Orozco
• Timothy Swenson
• Rita Price
• Patti Adams
• Carmen Jaramillo

Thanks for your donations:

• Old Photo of the Masonic Home - Kelly Weiss
• Old Photo of the Gladiola Fields - Bea Carpenter,
• St. Anne's commemorative mugs - Hal & Jeane Larson

ALL ABOUT THE UNION CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

The Union City Historical Museum is a non-profit organization in Union City that is dedicated to recording and preserving the history of Union City. The organization's primary goals are to record and oral history from people living in the community, collect artifacts and maintain a library for books and historic documents, and identify an encourage preservation of historical buildings.

The group meets on the first Monday of the month at the City Chambers at 7:00 PM.

As soon as we have the building the group will start showing things of the past to help us remember the early days of Union City.

We will be on the look out for historical buildings.

We will participate in city events such as
- Decoto School 130th year celebration
- Police Activities League (PAL) Science, Earth and Health Festival at Logan
- Masonic Home 100th year celebration

Trips to the Main Libraries
Presentations on Union City History to different organizations
Historical displays in the Union City Library
Interviews of residents and writing of history
Trips to historical museums
We need volunteers to start the work in the Museum.
We need artifacts for display in the Museum.

Please call Myrla Raymundo, 489-0133, if you want to volunteer or if you have artifacts to donate.

FROM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE UNION CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

I hope you enjoyed reading the second issue of the Union City Historical Museum. This is made possible by the grant money from the City of Union City, without which the history of Union City will not be continually preserved and recorded.