OPENING OF THE UNION CITY HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Union City Historical Museum at Smith Street in Old Alvarado will soon open its doors to the community.
The Union City Historical Museum is very much different from other museums. Our museum will become a public place, much like a park, that reaches into the community to embrace all of Union City’s different cultures. This is an institution in the community with a social responsibility and sensibility and our mission is to outreach into the schools, the Union City residents and the outlying cities.
We are proud to say that the Union City Historical Museum is not only a space to house a collection of artifacts; but it is also a keeper and interpreter of art, history and culture. The Museum provides an educational program that includes the stories of our early homes, churches, commercial and industrial uses in the area, development patterns of the first settlements, construction of railroads, the previous city officials and the business people and lawmakers of
the city. It also provides a continuous recording of stories of long time Union City residents, through its Oral History component. The Museum’s monthly newsletter, depicting the past history of the city and the continuous recording of present happenings and the Museum ‘s website on the Internet are added vehicles to record and interpret the history of Union City.
The museum encourages preservation of historical buildings. The Union City Historical Museum takes the lead in selecting the homes and buildings for preservation and presenting them to the Planning Commission and the City Council for approval.
With this changing concept of the museums, the Union City Historical Museum as one of them, being more complex and dynamic, we need the community’s help. We need highly skilled, creative professionals who can solve problems and implement solutions that will make our own museum more responsive to our changing climate.
To be successful in our endeavors, will you help?-------Myrla Raymundo, Editor
In Union City, what had been the changes in the past 100 years?
Union City has witnessed the development of new homes in acres and acres of sprawling vegetable fields; thus increasing the population to more than 62,000. Union City has captured a fair share of new businesses with its larger and more affordable sites. Union City became a gateway to the Silicon Valley. Union Landing, a huge commercial center, was established. Union City established and expanded churches. The Century 25-screen multiplex theater and huge development projects replaced the old drive-in theater. The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan Inc. constructed a three-story medical office building. to provide additional adult primary care medicine. Union City had developed a Park and Recreation Master Plan that guides the development of new recreation programs and new park sites and facilities. We are building new parks and improving existing parks. Union City developed the COPPS Program, the mission of which is to form partnerships with the community and its residents, to jointly identify and solve community problems in order to improve the quality of life.
Union City instituted the Citizen’s Workshop that gives interested residents a hands-on learning experience about how the city is managed and operated. Union City now has a Farmers’ Market and Concert every Saturday during summer. Union City now has a Museum, housed at Smith Street Fire Station. The New City Corporation Yard replaced the old one. Tri-Ced Community Recycling was established. Union City Transit (The Flea) is serving the residents The Ruggieri Senior Center was built and is serving the seniors. James Logan School was built and had a lot of expansions. Other schools that were built were the Kitayama School, the Guy Emmanuel School and the Delain Eastin School. Centro de Servicios, a health center, was established. Police Department established two Community Resource Centers for residents, one in the Alvarado area and one at the Decoto area. Holly Community Center was built. Kennedy Park Community Center was built. Graffiti abatement program was installed. The city is now on the Web, The city won an All-America City Award City Council was elected instead of appointed before 1959. City Council and Commission meetings are now televised. Had the changes been good or bad? Good because the city is now experiencing a big economic boom. Bad because of congestion and heavy traffic.
What are some of the things that had not change? The old Alvarado area.(Slightly changed) The Decoto area.(Slightly changed)
THE MASONIC HOME FOR ADULTS Union City, California
In 1998, the Masonic Home for Adults celebrated its Centennial Year of operation with a yearlong theme entitled “Building a Future upon a Century of Caring.” The re-dedication was held on October 10, 1998 with a Masonic ceremony. The 125 bed - Home was first dedicated on October 12, 1898.
The Masonic Home for Adults is well known for providing quality health care and housing for retired Masons, their wives and their widows. They are in the process of renovation and with the completion of the renovation process, current and future residents will be better served in fine Masonic tradition.
Kelly Wiest is the Administrator of the Home, located at 34400 Mission Boulevard, Union City, California, Tel. 429-6402.
The California Department of Social Services licenses the Masonic Home for Adults, as part of the Masonic Homes of California, a non-profit California Corporation, as a Continuing Care Retirement Community. Organized by the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of California. Their mission is to provide quality living to the Adult Masonic Community by offering three levels of care: Independent Living, Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing.
The 268 acres upon which the Masonic Home for Adults is located was purchased in 1893 at a cost of $33,093. The cornerstone of the original building was laid on October 4, 1896. The Home officially opened on October 12, 1898. At that time it was a Home for Widows and Orphans. A resolution was made in l906 to move the children to their own facility, which is now the Masonic Homes of California at Covina, California. This facility serves both children and adults.
There are historical artifacts and items of interest throughout the Facility - stained glass windows, Residents’ Library, large- print books by contemporary and time- honored authors and a low vision computer system for the residents’ use. Pictures of the 14 former U. S. Presidents, who were Masons, are on display. They have the largest Antique Room containing artifacts from the past and reminiscent of bygone times.
There is a Blue Mall, consisting of Residents’ Coffee Shop, Clothing Store and a Gift Shop, which is open to the public. The gift shop is run by the residents and stocked with items made by them
The Masonic Home opened in March 1899 and the first residents were 21 men and women. On December 19, 1891, the home accepted the widows and orphans. Now, it is the home of residents ages 60 and up and is licensed by State Department as a Continuing Care. We have now around 335 residents. The Orphans home for children and the Independent and assisted living moved to Covina. There is a Masonic Fraternity Grand Lodge of California with 460 lodges.
It started in King Solomon’s Temple with stone masons, 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree starting with fellow craft, master mason in 12 months.
Thirteen (13) past presidents. including George Washington, were masons. There are more or less 270 employees, most are women, in the lodge and there is no requirement of being a mason. There are now 110,000 masons in California and 3.6 million masons worldwide.
August May – Founder of Bank of Alameda Co.
August May is considered the most important financial figure during the olden times. He was the driving force with a group of men who started the Bank of Alameda County, with the head office at his hometown of Alvarado, and branches at Niles and Irvington. Mr. May sold his interest to the Central Bank of Oakland. He was considered an equal of the best San Francisco bankers. Alvarado was proud of him and his achievements. Alvarado was equally proud of Mrs. August May, who carried on at the family home in Alvarado. She was active in charitable work, helping the Toyon Branch of the Children’s Hospital.
Alvarado—Home of Holly Sugar Mill
The first successful sugar beet mill in the United States was in Alvarado. It was organized as the California Beet Sugar Manufacturing Company in 1867 and began work of manufacturing sugar from beets in 1870. It followed the pattern set by some thirteen other endeavors to extract sugar from beets, but closed down after a two year run. The first factory in the United States was built in 1838 in the east, in North Hampton, Massachusetts.
A new company was organized by E. H. Dyer as the Standard Sugar Manufacturing Company 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 for a year. In 1889 the property was purchased by the Alameda Sugar Co. It has been a successful venture and then became the property of the Holly Sugar Company, which employed 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.
UNION CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chief Al Guzman, after 33 years of dedicated service, retired on June 10, 2000, with a celebration at the Marriott, San Ramon in San Ramon, California. Meanwhile, Randy Ulibarri officially took over as Union City’s police chief on June 29, 2000 at the Ralph & Mary Ruggieri Senior Center at Alvarado-Niles Road in Union City.
Chief Al Guzman, born in May 1946, and wife Darlene and children Michelle, David, 25 and Kevin, 17, lived in Union City for many years. Al started as a Reserve Police Officer in 1967 and then became the Police Chief in 1987.
The first Police Department was on H Street and Decoto Road; then moved to Whipple and Central. In April 21, 1979 they moved to the new location, Alvarado Niles.
Alt was able to deal harmoniously with a diverse council and community.
In July 2000, Chief Al Guzman retired and Chief Randy Ulibarri was sworn in as the new Chief. On September 16, 2000, Chief Randy Ulibarri invited residents to an Open House at the Police Department. There were K9-S.W.A.T, Motorcycle Demonstrations, Fingerprinting of children, Tour of Police facility and free “In & Out” Burgers.
A scene, a SWAT demonstration given as part of the department’s open house, was meant to show citizens how SWAT interventions unfold. There was also a tour of the Union City Police Department. UNION CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Brian Kelly joined Union City as the new Fire Chief with one goal in mind: to provide the best emergency service without fail. The City Council voted to bring back the Fire Department to Union City. In June, 2000 a Swearing In-Badge Pinning Ceremony for the Union City Fire Department personnel was held at the Holly Community Center at Alvarado Blvd. in Union City.
History was made when 45 firefighters, wearing their dressy Class A uniforms, took their oaths. It was the first step in officially re-establishing the Union City Fire Department.
An Open House was held on October 14, 2000. Throngs of residents visited the three stations. They offered engine rides, fires demonstrations, tours and free gifts. Clowns entertained and Sparky the Dog was on hand. Health screening was available at Station 1 at 33355 Central Ave. Station 2 is at 31600 Alvarado Blvd and Station 3 is at 33948 10th Street. Children were most happy to ride the fire trucks. Foods and beverages were served.
It was a way of establishing good relations with the residents.
REDEDICATION OF THE OLD DECOTO SCHOOL
The newly remodeled Decoto School, now home to the New Haven Adult School celebrated its rededication with a community fair last September 2000.
There was an opening ceremony led by New Haven Unified School District superintendent Ruth McKenna, Mayor Mark Green and state Senator Liz Figueroa. Featured entertainers were Filipino, Indian, Hula and Los Omegas dancers, Maruichi musicians and ukulele groups. Festivities include a silent auction, face painting, games and food.
Highlight of the ceremony was the burying of the time capsule to be opened after a hundred years. Myrla Raymundo, president of the Union City Historical Museum and Union City Historian, buried the documents that recorded the establishment of the very first museum in Union City.
Museum Officials for FY2000-2001
Myrla Raymundo - President/CEO
Timothy Swenson - Vice-President
Eva Kamakea - Secretary
Hugh McNamara - Treasurer
Cora Green - Auditor
Miles Price - Director
Rita Price - Director
Ligfinio Ray Raymundo- Director
Phil Verzola - Director
Mike Christ - Director
Museum Logo
The Museum Officials decided to acquire a Logo. Steps will be taken to announce to the public, especially to students, a Logo contest. Once selected, the Logo will be used by the Museum.
Old Photographs and Artifacts
Donations of artifacts, photographs and materials are being accepted for display in the Museum. Your artifacts will be placed in glass cases with your names on them. Please call us for pickup of the materials.
The Museum’s Speakers Bureau
The group just gave a presentation to the residents of the Senior Citizen apartments “The Vintage” last August 15th. The residents really enjoyed the historical stories. Please call us if you need presentations on the history of Union City.
The Museum’s Web Site
Visit the Museum Web Site, which contains information about the museum, past issues of the newsletters and a virtual museum. The virtual museum also has information on California State Historical Landmarks in Union City.
MUSEUMS LIFETIME MEMBERS
Congratulations to our Lifetime Members, who are helping to support our Museum in its day to day operations.
Human Relations Commissioner Phil Verzola
Park and Recreation Commissioner John Tester
Vice-President, Union City Historical Museum Timothy Swenson
Senior Commissioner Eva Kamakea
UNION CITY LIBRARY REOPENING CEREMONY
The Library held a reopening celebration on October 14, 2000. after being closed to the public for eight weeks for a $250,000 remodeling project.
CULTURAL RESOURCES SURVEY
In 1998 the City Council adopted the Landmark and Historic Preservation (LHP) overlay zone for Union City. The purpose of the ordinance was to provide the City with a process that would allow the protection, enhancement, and perpetuation of structures, sites and areas that are considered to be historically and culturally significant to Union City, the State or Nation. In 1999 the City hired Architectural Resources Group (ARG), to survey historically and culturally significant sites in Union City. ARG limited their review to the pre-1930 structures. The survey was done with the help of the Union City Historical Museum members who collected the data and photographed the properties that ARG then organized and cataloged.
Properties that are nominated for inclusion in the LHP overlay zone would follow the process provided in the LHP ordinance. There will be public hearings before the Planning Commission and the City Council prior to their inclusion into the LHP overlay zone. The City assigned the selection of the first ten homes to the Union City Historical Museum. The Museum made the selection and presented the homes to the Planning Commission. |The process will then follow.
RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP
It is time to renew membership in the Union City Historical Museum for Fiscal Year 2000-2001. If you have not already done so, please send your membership fee payable to the Union City Historical Museum, to our Treasurer, Hugh McNamara, 32238 Mercury Way, Union City, CA 94587.
Membership dues are payable for Fiscal Year 2000-2001 - July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP:
Individual-----------------------$10
Supporting---------------------- $25
Corporate/Business------------ $50
Lifetime-------------------------$200
UNION CITY CITY COUNCIL
Mark Green – Mayor
Manuel Fernandez – Vice Mayor
Benjamin Elias, Councilmember
Richard Valle, Councilmember
Carol Dutra-Vernaci, Councilmember
UNION CITY COMMISSIONS
Planning Commission
Park & Recreation Commission
Senior Citizens Commission
Human Relations Commission
Union City Historical Museum c/o 3107 San Ramon Ct. Union City, CA 94587
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