Contra Costa County CA Archives History - Books .....District Boundaries 1882
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Book Title: History Of Contra Costa County, California

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY.

Organization—First Organization of Counties in the United States—Organization of
Contra Costa County—Original Boundary—Present Boundary—Senatorial and Judicial
Districts—Court of Sessions—Original Townships and Boundaries—Present Township
Boundaries—Board of Supervisors—Election Precincts—Road and School Districts.
Political History—Mexican Government—U. S. Military Government- Constitutional
Convention—San Jose the State Capital—Members of first Legislature—Governor
Burnett Assumes Office—State Capital Removed—Records of Court of Sessions and
Board of Supervisors—Oilman's suit against County—Table of Taxation—Table of
County Officers—etc., etc.

   THE FIRST ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES IN THE UNITED STATES.—The first
organization of counties in the United States of America originated in Virginia,
her earliest settlers becoming proprietors of vast amounts of land, living apart
in patrician splendor, imperious in demeanor, aristocratic in feeling, and being
in a measure dictators to the laboring portion of the population. It will thus
be seen that the materials for the creation of towns were not at hand, voters
being but sparsely distributed over a very great area. The county organization
was, moreover, in perfect accord with the traditions and memories of the
judicial and social dignities of Great Britain, in descent from which country
they felt so much glory. In 1634 eight counties were established in Virginia, a
lead which was followed by the Southern arid several of the Northern States,
save in those of South Carolina and Louisiana, districts being outlined in the
former, and parishes, after the custom of France, in the latter.

  Towns were formed in New England before counties, while they in turn were
organized before states, the powers of government of which were originally
exercised by the towns or townships. The powers afterwards assumed by states
were from surrender or delegation on the part of towns. Counties were created to
define the jurisdiction of courts of justice. The formation of states was a
union of towns, out of which arose the representative system, each town being
represented in the State Legislature, or General Court, by delegates chosen by
the freemen of the towns at their stated meetings.

   The first town meeting of which we can find any direct evidence was held by
the delegation of the Plymouth Colony on March 23, 1621, for the purpose of
perfecting military organization. At that meeting a Governor was elected for the
ensuing year; and it is noticed as a coincidence, whether from that source or
otherwise, that the annual town meetings in New England, and nearly all of the
other States, have ever since been held in the Spring of the year. It was not,
however, until 1635 that the township system was adopted as a quasi corporation
in Massachusetts.

   It may be interesting to note what were the provisions contained in the first
legal enactment concerning this system. These were: "Whereas, particular towns
have many things which concern only themselves, and the ordering of their own
affairs, and disposing of business in their own towns; therefore the freemen of
every town, or the major part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their
own lands and woods, with all the appurtenances of said towns; to grant lots and
to make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not
repugnant to the laws and orders established by the General Court. They might
also impose fines of not more than thirty shillings, and choose their own
particular officers, as constables, surveyors for highways, and the like."
Evidently this enactment relieved the General Court of a mass of municipal
details, without any danger to the powers of that body in controlling general
measures of public policy. Probably, also, a demand of the freemen of the towns
was felt for the control of their own home concerns.

   The New England colonies were first governed by a "General Court," or
Legislature, composed of a Governor and small Council, which Court consisted of
the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised both legislative
and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders. They
made laws, ordered their execution, elected their own officers tried and decided
civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and, in
fact, transacted all the business of the colony.

   This system, which was found to be eminently successful, became general, as
territory was added to the Republic, and states formed. Smaller divisions were
in turn inaugurated and placed under the jurisdiction of special officers, whose
numbers were increased as time developed a demand, until the system of township
organization in the United States is a matter of just pride to her people.

   Let us now consider the topic in regard to the especial subject at present
before us.

   ORGANIZATION OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. —On the acquisition of California by the
Government of the United States, under a treaty of peace, friendship, limits and
settlement with the Mexican Republic, dated Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848,
the boundaries of the State were defined. This treaty was duly ratified by the
President of the United States, March 16th, of the same year; exchanged at
Queretaro, May 30th, and finally promulgated July 4th by President Polk, and
attested by Secretary of State James Buchanan. In 1849 a Constitutional
Convention assembled in Monterey, and at the close of the session, October 12th,
a proclamation calling upon the people to form a government was issued, " to
designate such officers as they desire to make and execute the laws; that their
choice may be wisely made, and that the government so organized may secure the
permanent welfare and happiness of the people of the new State, is the sincere
and earnest wish of the present executive, who, if the Constitution be ratified,
will, with pleasure, surrender his powers to whomsoever the people may designate
as his successor." This document bore the signatures: "B. Riley, Bvt. Brig.
General,U.S. A., and Governor of California," and "official H. W. Halleck, Bvt.
Capt. and Secretary of State."

   In accordance with Section fourteen of Article twelve of the Constitution, it
was provided that the State be divided into counties, while the first session of
the Legislature, which began at San Jose' on December 15, 1849, passed, February
18,1850, "An Act subdividing the State into counties and establishing seats of
justice therein." This Act was finally confirmed April 25,1851, and directed the
boundaries of Contra Costa county to be as under:

   ORIGINAL BOUNDARY.—" Beginning at the mouth of Alameda creek and running
thence in a southwesterly direction to the middle of the Bay of San Francisco;
thence in a northerly or northwesterly direction, following as near as may be
the middle of the Bay to the Straits of San Pablo; thence up the middle of the
Bay of San Pablo to the Straits of Carquinez; thence running up the middle of
said Straits to the Suisun Bay, and up the middle of said Bay to the mouth of
the San Joaquin river; thence following up the middle of said river to the place
known as Pescadero or lower crossing; thence in a direct line to the northeast
corner of Santa Clara county, which is on the summit of the Coast Kange, near
the source of Alameda creek; thence down the middle of said creek to its mouth,
which was the place of beginning, including the islands of San Pablo, Coreacas
and Tesoro. The seat of Justice shall be at the town of Martinez."

   On March 25, 1853, an Act was passed by the Legislature whereby the county of
Alameda was formed from the southern portion of Contra Costa, and a slice of
Santa Clara county, leaving the present official boundary to be as follows:

   PRESENT BOUNDARY.—" Beginning in the Bay of San Francisco, at the northwest
point of Red Rock, being the common corner of Marin, Contra Costa and San
Francisco, as established in Section three thousand nine hundred and fifty of
the Political Code of the State of California; thence up the Straits and Bay of
San Pablo, on the eastern boundary of Marin, to the point of intersection with
the line bearing south twenty-six and one-half degrees east, and about six and
one-quarter miles distant from the southwest corner of Napa county, as
established in Section three thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight, forming the
common corner of Marin, Solano, Sonoma and Contra Costa, as established in
Section three thousand nine hundred and fifty-five; thence to the Straits of
Carquinez; thence up said Straits and Suisun Bay, to the mouth of the San
Joaquin river; thence up said river to the confluence of the west and main
channels thereof, as laid down in Gibbe's map; thence up said west channel to a
point about ten miles below Moore and Rhode's ranch, at a bend where the said
west channel, running downward, takes a general course north, the point being on
the westerly line of San Joaquin county, and forming the northeast corner of
Alameda and southeast corner of Contra Costa; thence on the northern line of
Alameda, as laid down on Horace A. Higley's map, and as established in Section
three thousand nine hundred and fifty-three, to the easterly line of San
Francisco city and county, as established in Section three thousand nine hundred
and fifty; thence due northwest along said easterly line of San Francisco, four
and one-half miles, more or less, to the place of beginning, county seat,
Martinez."

   The basis of this boundary is from the Statutes, 1851, p. 174; 1852, p. 173,
and 1853, p. 56.

   SENATORIAL DISTRICTS.—In the first partition of the State, Contra Costa was
attached to Santa Clara county for Senatorial purposes, and so continued until
1854, when it elected a joint Senator with the county of San Joaquin. Thus it
remained until 1862, when it was attached to Marin, which is its present position.

   JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.—The State of California was divided into Judicial
Districts March 29, 1850, and John H. Watson became Judge of the Third District,
which comprised the counties of Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and
Monterey. In 1853 Contra Costa was attached to the Seventh Judicial District,
which embraced Solano, Napa, Sonoma and Marin, and so continued until March,
1862, when the county became a portion of the Fourth Judicial District, being in
the following year annexed to the Third Judicial District. In 1864, it was made
a part of the Fifteenth Judicial District, and so remained until the passing of
the New Constitution.

   COURT OF SESSIONS.—On April 11, 1850, an act of the Legislature was passed
organizing the Court of Sessions, in which body, as will be seen, was vested the
entire general civil business of the county. This Court consisted of the County
Judge, who should preside at its sessions, assisted by two Justices of the Peace
of the County as Associate Justices, they being chosen by their brother Justices
from out of the whole number elected for the county. The duties imposed upon
this orgnization were multifarious. They made such orders respecting the
property of the county as they deemed expedient, in conformity with any law of
the State, and in them were vested the care and preservation of said property.
They examined, settled and allowed all accounts chargeable against the county;
directed the raising of such sums for the defraying of all expenses and charges
against the county, by means of taxation on property, real and personal, such
not to exceed, however, the one-half of the tax levied by the State on such
property; to examine and audit the accounts of all officers having the care,
management, collection and disbursement of any money belonging to the county, or
appropriated by law, or otherwise, for its use and benefit. In them was the
power of control and management of public roads, turnpikes, fences, canals,
roads and bridges within the county, where the law did not prohibit such
jurisdiction; and make such orders as should be requisite and necessary to carry
such control and management into effect; to divide the county into townships,
and to create new townships, and change the division of the same as the
convenience of the county should require. They established and changed election
precincts; controlled and managed the property, real and personal, belonging to
the county, and purchased and received donations of property for the use of the
county, with this proviso, that they should not have the power to purchase any
real or personal property, except such as should be absolutely necessary for the
use of the county. To sell and cause to be conveyed, any real estate, goods, or
chattels belonging to the county, appropriating the funds of such sale to the
use of the same. To cause to be erected and furnished, a Court-house, jail and
other buildings, and to see that the same are kept in repair, and otherwise to
perform all such other duties as should be necessary to the full discharge of
the powers conferred on such Court. Terms were ordered to be held on the second
Monday of February, April, June, August, October and December, with quarterly
sessions on the third Monday of February, May, August and November of each year.

   No time would appear to have been lost in the organization of the Court in
Contra Costa county, for we find it at work under the direction of County Judge
F. M. Warmcastle on April 17, 1850.

   ORIGINAL TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES.—On that date the county was first divided into
townships, as follows:

   NEW YORK.—The township of New York by a line commencing in the Suisun bay on
the boundary line of the county opposite a point of elevated headland on the
shore of said bay nearly equidistant between the towns of New York and Martinez,
running to said point of headland; from thence by the east summit of Monte del
Diablo to a point on the boundary line of said county two miles south of
Livermore's Rancho; thence easterly along said county line to the middle of the
main channel of the San Joaquin river opposite the lower crossing of said river;
thence down the middle of the main channel of said river to its mouth; thence
down the middle of the Suisun bay along the boundary line of said county of
Contra Costa to the place of beginning.

   MARTINEZ.—Commencing at the boundary line of Contra Costa county in the
Suisun Bay, at the western boundary line of New York township; thence along the
western boundary line of said township to its termination on the county line,
two miles below or south of Livermore's Rancho; thence along the eastern
boundary line and down the middle of Alameda creek to its mouth; thence along
the western boundary line of Contra Costa county to a point in the bay opposite
the mouth of the creek running down from the Maragna (Moraga) Redwoods; thence
up the middle of said creek to where it forks, about three miles below the
redwoods; thence up to the top of the ridge between the two forks of the creek;
thence along the summit of said ridge to an elevated point of land known as Cape
Horn; thence in a direct line to Pinola (Pinole) Point, at the mouth of the
Straits of Carquinez, and to the middle of the straits, to the northern boundary
line of the county of Contra Costa; thence through the middle of the Straits of
Carquinez along said county line to the place of beginning.

   SAN ANTONIO.—Commencing at the northwestern boundary line of Martinez
township, on the northern boundary line of Contra Costa county; thence along the
western boundary line of Martinez township to its termination on the eastern
boundary line of San Francisco county; thence along the western boundary line of
Contra Costa county at low water mark to Golden Rock; thence up the middle of
San Pablo Bay to the place of beginning.

   These townships were, however, found to be too unwieldy. Thereupon the
petition of certain citizens in the eastern portion of Martinez township praying
that a portion of it should be set off and recognized as a separate division;
therefore the Court organized the township of

   ALAMEDA.—Commencing at the mouth of the Redwood creek; thence running up said
creek near the redwoods; thence east to the source of the Arroyo San Ramon;
thence down the San Ramon to its junction with the Euguarto; thence in an
easterly direction to the eastern boundary line of the county, at the boundary
line of New York and Martinez townships; thence along the eastern boundary of
the county and township to the place of beginning.

   Upon the petition of the citizens of San Antonio township, the Board of
Supervisors, who had undertaken the affairs of the county under the Act of the
Legislature passed May 3, 1852, on August 12th defined the township of

   CONTRA COSTA.—That said township of San Antonio be divided, and ordered that
the portion of said township being embraced within the limits of the town of
Oakland be set apart, and designated the township of Contra Costa; and that the
balance of the present township of San Antonio remain as the township of San
Antonio.

   Still, the townships would seem to have been too large, for the Board of
Supervisors, under date October 18, 1852, created the township of

   SAN PABLO.—All that portion of San Antonio township from the Martinez
township line to the Cerrito of San Pablo be set off from the said township of
San Antonio, and the same be called the township of San Pablo.

While from Martinez township there was formed the district of

   MONTE DIABLO.—Commencing seven miles from the shore on the line of New York
township; thence running at right angles to the head of Pinole valley,
intersecting the line of San Antonio township, and that said portion so set off
shall be called the township of Monte Diablo.

Besides these, the following townships were partitioned off:—

   SAN LORENZO and SAN ANTONIO.—That Alamo township* with the present boundary
terminating towards the west, with the highest point on the ridge of the Cpntra
Costa range, and San Antonio township with its present boundary from Cerrito
down to the San Lorenzo creek be divided and two townships be created, the San
Antonio township to extend from Cerrito of San Pablo to San Leandro and
designated the township of San Antonio; and from San Leandro creek to the
boundary line of Santa Clara county be designated San Lorenzo township.

* There is no record of the creation of this Township, nor is there any of its
boundaries.

   On August 7, 1854, the county was re-districted throughout by the Court of
Sessions, who had again come into power, and the townships numbered in lieu of
the names they had hitherto borne.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER ONE.—Beginning at the northern boundary line of the county at
the north side of the mouth of Walnut creek to a point opposite the dividing
ridge between Taylor's valley and the residence of Widow Welch; thence northerly
along said ridge, passing two hundred yards east of the house of William Allen,
to the dividing ridge between the waters of Walnut creek and the Arroyo el
Hambre; thence westwardly passing north of the house of A. R Meloney to the San
Pablo creek one-half mile south of the house formerly occupied by John F. S.
Smith; thence northwardly to San Pablo bay one-fourth of a mile west of the
mouth of Pinole creek; thence to the northern boundary line of the county and
east-wardly along the same to the place of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER Two.—Beginning at Walnut creek opposite the dividing ridge
between Taylor's valley and the residence of Widow Welch; thence up the channel
of Walnut creek to the crossing on the road from Thomas J. Jones' to David
Hunsaker's; thence south to the boundary line of the county; thence along the
southern and western boundary line of the county to the head of the Cerrito
creek; thence easterly, passing one-half mile south of the house formerly
occupied by John F. S. Smith and north of the residence of A. R. Meloney to the
dividing ridge between the waters of Walnut creek and El Hambre; thence
southwardly, passing two hundred yards east of the house of William Allen along
the ridge between Taylor's valley and the residence of Widow Welch to the place
of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER THREE.—Beginning at the northern boundary line of the county,
one-fourth of a mile west of the mouth of Pinole creek; thence southerly along
the west line of Township Number One to the San Pablo creek, one-half mile south
of the house formerly occupied by John F. S. Smith; thence westerly to the
source of Cerrito creek, dividing the ranches of San Pablo and San Antonio,
being the boundary line between the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa; thence
along the boundary line between Contra Costa and Alameda counties to the
northwest corner of the county line; thence easterly along the county boundary
to the place of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER FOUR.—Beginning at the boundary line of the county, east of
the house of Robert Livermore; thence westerly, passing north of the residence
of Livermore, to the summit of Monte Diablo; thence along the summit of the
highest ridge to a point due east of the junction of the Arroyo San Ramon with
Walnut creek, near the house of George W. Thorne; thence westerly to the
junction of San Ramon and Walnut creeks; thence along the channel of Walnut
creek to the crossing of the road leading from the house of Thomas J. Jones, in
Taylor's valley, to the residence of Daniel Hunsaker; thence south to the
boundary line of the county; thence easterly along the southern boundary line of
the county to the place of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER FIVE.—Beginning at the northern boundary line of the county,
at the north side of the mouth of Walnut creek; thence to and along the channel
of Walnut creek to its conjunction with the Arroyo San Ramon; thence easterly
along the dividing ridge to the summit of Monte Diablo; thence easterly along
the dividing ridge north of the valley of Tassajara to a point south of the
house of John McGreer; thence northerly, passing one mile east of the house of
John McGreer, to the dividing ridge between Pacheco's and New York; thence
northerly along said dividing ridge to a point in Suisun Bay two hundred yards
west of the house of J. H. Clark; thence to and westerly along the northern
boundary line of the county to the place of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER Six.—Beginning at the lower crossing on the San Joaquin
River, known as the Pescadero; thence westerly along the boundary line of the
county to a point east of the house of Robert Livermore; thence westerly along
the line of Township Number Four to a point south of the house of John McGreer;
thence northerly along the line of Township Number Six to the dividing ridge
between New York and Pacheco valley; thence along the eastern line of Township
Number Six to the northern boundary line of the county; thence easterly along
the boundary line of the county to the place of beginning.

   It was ordered by the Board of Supervisors who again held sway over the civil
destinies of Contra Costa county, under date August 8, 1855, that the division
into townships made the year previous by the Court of Sessions should be
legalized and confirmed. It was directed, however, that Township Number One
should be so far changed as to include the territory within the following
boundaries: Commencing at a point on Walnut creek one-fourth of a mile north of
the house of F. M. Warmcastle; thence running in a southerly direction along the
channel of said creek to the mouth of a small creek which empties into said
Walnut creek near the house of Thomas J. Jones; thence running in a southerly
direction to the southwest corner of Township Number Four on the southern
boundary of the county; thence westerly and following said boundary line of the
county to Cerrito creek; thence in a northerly direction to the San Pablo creek
at a point where the line dividing Township Number One from Township Number
Three strikes said creek, and near the house formerly occupied by John F. S.
Smith; thence in an easterly direction to a point one-half mile north of the
house of A. R. Meloney; thence to the place of beginning.

   Heretofore we have seen the county partitioned off into six townships; on
October 16,1856, this distribution was again changed, the result being three
townships in all, as under:

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER ONE.—Bounded by a line beginning at the mouth of Walnut
creek; thence up the main channel thereof to a point one-half mile north of the
house of F. M. Warmcastle; thence westerly, passing one-eighth of a mile north
of the house of A. R. Meloney to San Pablo creek, one-half mile west of the
house formerly occupied by John F. S. Smith; thence south to the boundary line
of the county; thence northwesterly and continuing along the boundary line of
the county to a point on Suisun Bay opposite the mouth of Walnut creek; thence
to the place of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER Two.—Beginning at a point on Walnut creek one-half mile north
of the house of F. M. Warmcastle; thence westerly following the line of Township
Number One to the boundary line of the county; thence easterly along the said
boundary line of the county to a point near the house of Robert Livermore;
thence westerly, following the dividing ridge north of Tassajara valley to the
summit of Monte Diablo; thence westerly to Walnut creek at a point on said creek
at the bridge near John Nicholson's; thence down the creek to the place of
beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER THEEE.—Bounded on the west and south by Townships Numbers One
and Two, and on the northeast by the boundary line of the county.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER ONE.—These divisions remained undisturbed until February
9,1870, when the Board of Supervisors ordered that all that portion of Contra
Costa county heretofore known as Township Number One, which lies easterly of a
line commencing at a point on the north shore of the Straits of Carquinez where
the line dividing the Pinole Rancho from the Rancho Canada del Hambre intersects
the shore; thence running on said division line between said two ranchos,
southeasterly, easterly, southerly and so on, following the line dividing said
ranchos until it intersects the public road from Martinez to San Pablo; thence
in a direct line to the bridge which spans a creek near the Rodeo Valley
school-house; thence due south to Rodeo creek; thence up Rodeo creek to its
source; thence due south to the line dividing Townships One and Two as
heretofore established, be and the same is hereby established as and declared to
be Township Number One of Contra Costa county.*

   * This order was abrogated by the Board of Supervisors on February 6, 1871,
but the Township was re-established on August 8th, following.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER FOUR.—And all that portion of said Township Number One, as
heretofore established, lying westerly of said line, hereinbefore described, be
and the same is hereby established as and declared to be Township Number Four of
Contra Costa county.+

+ This order was rescinded August 9, 1871.

   On May 8, 1872, yet another change in the boundaries of the townships took
place.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER ONE.—Commencing on the county line in Suisun Bay, on the
township line, according to United States survey, between township three north,
range one west, and township three north, range two west; thence running south
to the northwest corner of section eighteen, township two north, range one west,
on the northern boundary line of the Pacheco Grant; thence in a southeasterly
direction along the boundary line of said grant to the most eastern boundary of
the grant; thence south and southwesterly along the boundary line of said grant
to its southern extremity; thence northwesterly along the boundary line of said
grant to the northern extremity of the Rancho San Miguel; thence southwesterly
along the line dividing the San Miguel and Pacheco Grants to Walnut creek;
thence northwesterly one-half mile to the southern line of section two, township
one north, range two west; thence due west on the southern line of sections two,
three, four, five and six, same townships and range, to the eastern boundary of
the Rancho la Bocha de la Canada de Pinole; thence south along said eastern
boundary line two miles; thence west half a mile; thence south one mile to the
northern boundary of the Rancho Acalanes; thence west along the southern
boundary of the Rancho la Bocha de la Canada de Pinole to the southwestern
corner; thence in a southwestern direction, crossing the summit of Rocky Mound
to the Alameda county line; thence following the Contra Costa county line around
to the place of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER Two.—Commencing at the southern corner of Pacheco Rancho;
thence south one mile to the middle of section twenty-one, township one north,
range one west; thence east one mile; thence south two miles; thence east one
mile; thence south half a mile to the Monte Diablo base line; thence east one
and one-half miles to the summit of Monte Diablo; thence south on the meridian
line three miles; thence east four miles; thence south one mile; thence east to
the western boundary line of the Canada de los Vaqueros Rancho; thence southerly
on said western boundary line to the Alameda county line, to the southern
boundary of Township Number One; thence northeasterly along said southern
boundary line to the place of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER THREE.—Commencing on the county line in Suisun Bay on the
eastern boundary of Township Number One; thence southeasterly on said eastern
boundary line to the eastern boundary of Township Number Two; thence
southeasterly along the northeastern boundary-line of said Township Number Two
to the Alameda county line; thence easterly on said county line to the eastern
boundary line of Contra Costa county; thence northerly and westerly on said
county line to the place of beginning.

   On June 11, 1872, two judicial townships, numbered one and two, were created
from out of Township Number One, and bounded as follows: Commencing at the Lots
thirty-nine and forty of the Welch Rancho, on the eastern boundary thereof, on
the Walnut creek; thence running due west on the line between Lots nine and ten,
eight and eleven of said rancho until said lines intersect the eastern side of
the Martinez and San Ramon public highway; thence following along the middle
line of said road to the line dividing Supervisor Districts One and Two; thence
along said lines until the same intersect Supervisor Districts One and Three;
thence easterly along said lines dividing Supervisor Districts One and Three and
Supervisor District Number Three; thence following the middle of Suisun Bay to a
point opposite the center of Walnut creek; thence following said creek to the
point of beginning.*

*This order was amended August 6, 1872, and the territory laid off created into
Township Number Four.

   PRESENT TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES.—This now brings us to the townships which obtain
at the present writing. These were made the subject of a redistribution by the
Board of Supervisors on May 12, 1873, and are as follows:

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER ONE.—Commencing at a point in the county line opposite the
center of the mouth of Walnut creek; thence up said creek with its meanderings
until it intersects the line dividing Lots thirty-nine and forty of the Welch
Rancho, on the eastern boundary thereof, on Walnut creek; thence running due
west on the line between Lots nine and ten and eight and eleven of said rancho
to intersect the Martinez and San Ramon public highway; thence following along
the middle line of said public highway, in a southeasterly direction, to the
section line dividing sections four and nine, township one north, range two
west; thence west one and three-fourths miles; thence south two miles; thence
west one-half mile to the township line; thence south one mile; thence west to
the southwest corner of the Rancho de la Bocha de la Canada del Pinole; thence
southwest to intersect the county line at the southeast corner of section
thirty-one, township one north, range three west; thence westerly following the
township line into the Bay of San Francisco; thence following the county line in
the Bays of San Francisco and San Pablo, Straits of Carquinez and Suisun Bay to
the point of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER Two.—Commencing at a point on the line of Township Number One
where said line crosses the western boundary line of the Rancho Las Junitas;
thence following said ranch line in a southeasterly direction to the section
line between sections twenty-two and twenty-seven, township one north, range two
west; thence east to the southwest corner of section nineteen, township one
north, range one west; thence south to the southern line of the Rancho Arroyo de
las Nueces; thence following-said ranch line in an easterly direction to the
southwest corner of section one, township one south, range one west; thence east
one mile to the meridian line; thence .south two miles; thence east four miles;
thence south one mile; thence east one mile; thence south one mile; thence east
to the western line of the Canada de los Vaqueros Rancho; thence southerly,
following the line of said rancho, to the county line; thence along the county
line westerly to the line of Township Number One; thence along said township
line northeasterly to the place of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER THREE.—Commencing at a point in the county line opposite the
mouth of Walnut creek where the easterly line of Township Number One intersects
said county line; thence following said easterly line of Township Number One
southerly to the northern and eastern line of Township Number Two; thence
following the line of said Township Number Two southeasterly to the meridian
line; thence north one mile; thence west one and one-half miles; thence north
one-half mile; thence west one mile; thence north two miles; thence west one
mile; thence north to the southern corner of the Monte del Diablo Grant; thence
following the grant line northeasterly to the southwest corner of section
twenty-six, township two north, range one west; thence east one mile; thence
north to the county line; thence westerly along said county line to the point of
beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER FOUR.—Commencing at a point in the county line where the
eastern line of Township Number Three intersects said county line; thence
following the easterly line of said Township Number Three in a southerly
direction to the line of Township Number Two south, and east to the southeast
corner of section twenty-five, township one north, range one east- thence north
six miles; thence west one mile; thence north six miles; thence west two miles;
thence north to the county line; thence westerly on said county line to the
point of beginning.

   TOWNSHIP NUMBER FIVE.—Commencing at a point in the county line where the
eastern line of Township Number Four intersects said line; thence following the
line of Township Number Four southerly to the line of Township Number Two;
thence following the line of said Township Number Two east and south to the
county line; thence easterly along the county line to the San Joaquin River;
thence following the county line down said river to the point of beginning.

   BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.—Up until the passage of the Act of May 3, 1852, which
created a Board of Supervisors for Contra Costa county, the Court of Sessions
had full control of the affairs of the county. That Act was entitled "An Act to
create a Board of Supervisors in the counties in this State, and to define their
duties and powers." For better reference its ninth section is here reproduced in
full: "The Board of Supervisors shall have power and jurisdiction in their
respective counties: 

First.—To make orders respecting the property of the county in conformity with
any law of this State, and to take care of and preserve such property. 

Second.—To examine, settle, and allow all accounts legally chargeable against
the county, and to levy, for the purposes prescribed by law, such amount of
taxes on the assessed value of real and personal property in the county as may
be authorized by law; provided, the salary of the County Judge need not be
audited by the Board, but the County Auditor shall, on the first judicial day of
each month, draw his warrant on the County Treasurer in favor of the County
Judge, for the amount due such Judge as salary for the month preceding. 

Third.—To examine and audit the accounts of all officers having the care,
management, collection or disbursement of any money belonging to the county, or
appropriated by law, or otherwise, for its use and benefit. 

Fourth.—To lay out, control and manage public roads, turnpikes, ferries and
bridges within the county, in all cases where the law does not prohibit such
jurisdiction, and to make such orders as may be requisite and necessary to carry
its control and management into effect. 

Fifth.—To take care of and provide for the indigent sick of the county. 

Sixth.—To divide the county into townships, and to change the divisions of the
same, and to create new townships, as the convenience of the county may require. 

Seventh.—To establish and change election precincts, and to appoint inspectors
and judges of elections. 

Eighth.—To control and manage the property, real and personal, belonging to the
county, and to receive by donation any property for the use and benefit of the
county. 

Ninth.—To lease or to purchase any real or personal property necessary for the
use of the county; provided, no purchase of real property shall be made unless
the value of the same be previously estimated by three disinterested persons, to
be appointed for that purpose by the County Judge. 

Tenth.—To sell at public auction at the Court-house of the county, after at
least thirty days' previous public notice, and cause to be conveyed, any
property belonging to the county, appropriating the proceeds of such sale to the
use of the same. 

Eleventh.—To cause to be erected and furnished, a Court-house, jail, and such
other public buildings as may be necessary, and to keep the same in repair;
provided, that the contract for building the Court-house, jail, and such other
public buildings, be let out at least after thirty days' previous public notice,
in each case, of a readiness to receive proposals therefor, to the lowest
bidder, who will give good and sufficient security for the completion of any
contract which he may make respecting the same; but no bid shall be accepted
which the Board may deem too high. 
Twelfth.—To control the prosecution and defense of all suits to which the county
is a party. Thirteenth.—To do any and perform all such other acts and things as
may be strictly necessary to the full discharge of the powers and jurisdiction
conferred on the Board."

   In pursuance of this enactment an election was held June 14, 1852, for the
election of a Board of Supervisors for Contra Costa county, when five gentlemen
were chosen to fill the high office.

  The Board maintained its position until March 25, 1854, when they were
replaced by the Court of Sessions, who in turn, in accordance with the Act of
the Legislature passed March 20, 1855, were succeeded by another conclave of
Supervisors. To elect these the county was, by the County Clerk, County Assessor
and County Surveyor, divided into three Supervisor Districts, since when these
have conformed to the changes made in the redistribution of townships.

   ELECTION PRECINCTS.—When the vote for the Old Constitution was taken on
November 13, 1849, there were but three election precincts within what was then
known as Contra Costa county—namely, at the Moraga Redwoods, Martinez and San
Antonio (now Brooklyn, Alameda county.) For the election of April 1, 1850, the
precinct of New York was added to those already created, while, on October 7th,
of the same year, the precincts were Martinez, San Antonio, San Ramon (Dublin),
and New York. The first record, however, which we can find of a distribution of
voting precincts is for the election called for September 3, 1851, when the
following polling places were established: At the Court-house in the town of
Martinez, and the house of Jose' Maria Amador, for the township of Martinez; the
houses of Victor Castro and Vicente Peralta, in and for the township of San
Antonio; and the house of William W. Smith in Antioch, and at the Lower Ferry on
the San Joaquin river, in and for the township of New York. These, with a few
additions, continued until the redistribution of the county into townships on
August 10, 1854, when the following were created: Township No. 1.—At the
Court-house in Martinez, and at the house of B. V. Merle at Pinole. Township No.
2.—At Prince's Mill in the Redwoods, and Hough's Store. Township No. 3.—At the
hotel of Gabriel Castro. On August 8, 1855, the county being then partitioned
into six townships, eleven voting precincts were established. These were again
changed to ten precincts on the redistribution of the county into three
townships and Supervisor Districts on October 16, 1856; while ten years later,
June 5, 1866, the county was divided as follows: Township No. 1.—Martinez, San
Pablo. Toivnship No. 2.—La Fayette, San Ramon, Danville. Township No.
3.—Pacheco, Clayton, Nortonville, Somersville, Antioch. May 7,1867, Pinole
precinct was created; on August 5, 1868, the precincts of Walnut Creek and Point
of Timber were added to the list.

   Naturally, when the increase of population has been so great, the precincts
enumerated above have proved insufficient for the wants of the voters, until, at
the present writing, they are twenty in number, and are as follows: Martinez,
Pinole, San Pablo, Port Costa, Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Danville, Tassajara,
Pacheco, Concord, Clayton, Nortonville, Somersville, New York, Morgan Territory,
Antioch, Empire, Webb's Landing, Point of Timber and Brentwood.

   ROAD DISTRICTS.—Another criterion of the rapid development of a hitherto
sparsely peopled country is the want immediately felt for carefully laid out
roads and easy means of transport. He who has experienced such a desire can
fully appreciate the comfort of well-graded thoroughfares and smoothly
macadamized streets. The scarcely to be recognized trails give place, as if by
magic, to the skill of the surveyor; the dangerous ford to the well-built bridge
and the impenetrable undergrowth to the road-maker's ax. In a few short years
miraculous changes are worked, and science brings places within comfortable
travel and neighbors within ken. Contra Costa in the pre-American days was not a
whit better off than the neighboring counties; when the first roads were laid
out, however, we have been unable to trace, but the records of the Court of
Sessions inform us that as early as July 20,1850, the county was partitioned
into districts and the following roads declared Public Highways:—

   One and Two.—From Martinez to Pueblo de San Jose*, divided into two
districts, the first being from Martinez to the farm of Francisco Garcia; the
second from thence to the line dividing the counties of Contra Costa and Santa
Clara, the overseers appointed being respectively N. B. Smith and Joseph
Rothenhostler. Three.—The streets in the town of Martinez were declared to be
District Number Three and placed under the supervision of A. Van Herne Ellis.
Four.—The road then usually traveled from Martinez by the house of Salvio
Pacheco to the town of New York of the Pacific was classed as District Number
Four, with Henry F. Joye, Overseer. Five.—The road from the Moraga Redwoods to
that leading from Martinez to San Jose, terminating on said road nearly
equidistant from Martinez to the house of Widow Welch, was established as
District Number Five, and E. Miller appointed Overseer. Six.—The road usually
traveled from the rancho of Vicente Castro by the rancho of Elam Brown,
intersecting the road from the Moraga Redwoods to Martinez near the house of
Jonah Bernell was defined as District Number Six, and Elam Brown appointed
Overseer.   Seven.—The road leading from the crossing of the San Joaquin to the
Pueblo de San Jose* by the rancho of Robert Livermore, and to where it
intersects that leading from Martinez to the Pueblo de San Jose, as belonged to
the county of Contra Costa, was declared to be District Number Seven, and placed
in charge of Greene Patterson, Overseer.

   This same minute also orders all able-bodied males between the ages of
eighteen and forty-five years to be called upon to work on these thoroughfares
for five days in each year, or cause such amount of work to be done, when
required by the Overseers or Supervisors of the respective districts. It will
thus be seen that the matter once taken in hand, with the aid of the citizens,
was pushed with becoming vigor. On July 15, 1852, directions for the laying out
of the highway between Oakland and San Pablo were issued, while on the
re-construction of the county on August 8, 1855, six road districts were
established corresponding with the six townships then defined. Five years later,
in 1860, we find that there were no less than seventeen road districts inside
the county limits, and on May 21, 1861, the road tax for that year was increased
to ten cents on the one hundred dollars of taxable property, in accordance with
the provisions of an Act passed May 3, 1861, entitled "An Act to enable and
require the Board of Supervisors of the county of Contra Costa to complete the
levy of taxes for road purposes in said county for the year one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-one." November 4, 1862, it was ordered by the Board of
Supervisors that the Auditor of the county cause to issue a warrant for the sum
of twelve hundred dollars, payable out of the "Barber Fund," to be levied in
accordance with an Act of the Legislature of the State of California, approved
April 24, 1862, entitled "An Act to authorize the Board of Supervisors of the
county of Contra Costa to audit and allow the claim of M. R. Barber, and to levy
a Special Tax." It would appear that this action became necessary on account of
a sum still remaining due to Mr. Barber for the construction of two bridges in
the town of Martinez during the year 1853. At the time, he received a moiety of
the amount due, when the "City Fathers" accepted the responsibility of further
payments, but as the corporation had dissolved into a phantom the onus of
liquidating the debt devolved upon the county, and had to be met by the Board of
Supervisors, hence the appeal to the Legislature, the passage of the Bill above
quoted and the levy of a Special Tax to meet the liability.

   But we have not the space at our disposal to follow the hundreds of petitions
for road purposes, as they appear in the records of the Court of Sessions and
Board of Supervisors. To give even an outline of each would more than fill a
volume of no ordinary proportions. As the fertile districts were settled, each
new arrival felt the want of some avenue of outlet from his homestead,
connection was needed with the main arteries of traffic, the inevitable petition
to the authorities was transmitted to the proper quarter, and, where the
necessity was proved, never was the prayer rejected. With the opening out of
fresh highways, more districts were imperatively necessary; with the creation of
these districts, it was as necessary to appoint overseers, and now Contra Costa
county is blessed with a large number of districts and a net-work of roads,
better than which there are none in California.

   SCHOOL DISTRICTS.—The first school districts in Contra Costa county were
divided in consonance with the townships which then obtained, but such a
partition embraced too large a territory, therefore alterations became
necessary, like in the townships themselves. Boundaries and limitation lines
were perpetually being altered at the solicitation of innumerable petitioners.
The authorities, ever with an eye to the people's welfare, in most cases granted
the prayer, until, after an infinity of rectifications, the present school
districts of the county number thirty-nine, and are named: Alamo, Alhambra,
Antioch, Bay Point, Brentwood, Briones, Carbondale, Central, Concord, Danville,
Deer Valley, Eden Plain, Excelsior, Green Valley, Hot Spring, Iron House,
Lafayette, Liberty, Lime Quarry, Lone Tree, Martinez, Moraga, Morgan Territory,
Mount Diablo, Mount Pleasant, New York, Oak Grove, Pacheco, Pinole, Pleasant
Hill, Rodeo Valley, Sand Mound, San Pablo, San Ramon, Sheldon, Soraersville,
Sycamore, Tassajara, Willow Spring.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY,
CALIFORNIA,
INCLUDING ITS GEOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, TOPOGRAPHY, CLIMATOGRAPHY AND DESCRIPTION;
TOGETHER WITH A RECORD OF THE MEXICAN GRANTS; THE BEAR FLAG WAR; THE MOUNT
DIABLO COAL FIELDS; THE EARLY HISTORY AND SETTLEMENT, COMPILED FROM THE MOST
AUTHENTIC SOURCES; THE NAMES OF ORIGINAL SPANISH AND MEXICAN PIONEERS; FULL
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY; SEPARATE HISTORY OF EACH TOWNSHIP, SHOWING
THE ADVANCE IN POPULATION AND AGRICULTURE;
ALSO,
Incidents of Pioneer Life; and Biographical Sketches
OF EARLY AND PROMINENT SETTLERS AND REPRESENTATIVE MEN;
AMD OF ITS TOWNS, VILLAGES, CHURCHES, SECRET SOCIETIES, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
SAN FRANCISCO: W. A. SLOCUM & CO., PUBLISHERS
1882.

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/contracosta/history/1882/historyo/district2nms.txt

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