Anthony Gualco’s Alvarado History Website
Early Families of Union City (PDF) — Paper detailing the early families of Union City from the 1850’s until about the 1940’s. Written by Timothy Swenson.
History of African-Americans in the Union City Area (PDF) — Report that covers the limited history of African-Americans in the Union City area, from 1850 to about 1950.
Looking Back — Early Glimpses of Union City (PDF) — What did early Southern Alameda County look like? How did its people live? Who were some of the settlers in the communities of New Haven, Union City, Alvarado and Decoto? Each chapter is a story of families or events in those communities. Published by the City of Union City, Copyright 1978
Union City History Blog (PDF) — Tim Swenson’s Union City History Blog — A year’s worth of a weekly history blog from unioncity.patch.com
Union City History Collection (PDF) — Union City History Collection — A collection of articles on Union City history. Histories of the founding of Union City in Washington Township, Alameda County, California. Researched and written by Tim Swenson.
Union City Pioneer Genealogical Database (ZIP) — The Union City Pioneer Genealogical Database is a single GEDCOM file with 340 early residents of Union City (both Alvarado and Decoto). This is a ZIP file which will be downloaded to your computer.
Controversy in New Haven — The New Haven Unified School District was formed in 1965 by combining the Alvarado and Decoto School Districts and James Logan High School from the Washington Union School District. The joining of the school district was fairly harmonious. The only issue in the local newspaper, the “Union City Leader”, was the name of the district. The “Union City Leader” was advocating for the Union City Unified School District and was disappointed about the name “New Haven.” Two years after the founding of the school district, a huge controversy erupted in the district, leading to large public attendance at meetings, calls of illegal activities and a resolution by having a recall election. This paper documents the controversy in a chronological style.
Weldon Mead Kennedy – Union City “Vampire” – Researched and written by Tim Swenson.
Union City Police Department – 50 Years of Dedication and Service – Researched and written by Tim Swenson.
Where in Union City? A Pictorial Puzzle Book, by Timothy Swenson
Alvarado
Alvarado Boy (PDF) — A historical fiction about growing up in Alvarado in the 1880’s. Researched and written by Tim Swenson.
Alvarado’s Chinatown / Little Tijuana (PDF) — An in-depth look at the final days of the seedy section of Alvarado as it was shutdown by the authorities. Written by Anthony Gualco.
Alvarado Elementary – History Presentation (PDF) — Slide presentation of the history of the Alvarado School District and Alvarado Elementary School.
Alvarado Elementary – History Presentation (PowerPoint)— Slide presentation of the history of the Alvarado School District and Alvarado Elementary School.
Alvarado Elementary – History Report (PDF) — History of the Avarado School District and Alvarado Elementary School, from 1850 to about 1965.
Alvarado Elementary – Study Guide (PDF) — Study guide for the history of the Alvarado Elementary School.
Alvarado in 1850 (PDF) — A detailed history of Alvarado (Union City & New Haven) from it’s beginning in 1850 until 1870.
Alvarado Sugar Beet Factory, and the Dyer family that founded it (PDF) – For just over a hundred years a factory existed in Alvarado that took simple sugar beets and turned them into refined white sugar.
Analysis of Census Records of Alvarado, California (PDF) — Analysis of Alvarado’s Census Records between the years of 1860 to 1930. Alvarado was one of the five large unincorporated towns in Washington Township before becoming part of Union City.
Charles S. Eigenbrodt Civil War Hero (PDF) — Charles Eigenbrodt was a Civil War hero who lived in Alvarado, Washington Township, Alameda County, California. Researched and written by Tim Swenson
Homes of Vallejo Street (PDF) — From 1860 on, the west side of Vallejo Street, in Union City, was the place to own a home. This paper documents the homes and their well-known owners.
Scandinavian Oystermen of Alvarado (PDF) — The commercial oyster industry in the San Francisco Bay area started in 1869 with the importation of eastern oysters and the establishment of oyster beds on the bay. Written by Tim Swenson
Two Courthouses (PDF) — In-depth analysis of two pictures of the Alameda County Courthouse in Alvarado.
Alvarado Walking Tour (Timothy Swenson) (PDF) — A self-guided tour of Union City’s historic Alvarado district.
Decoto
Adventures of Peter Decoto (PDF) — In January 1938, the Hayward Daily Review published a series of 5 articles on Peter Decoto and his adventures during the Alaskan Gold Rush of 1898. These articles have been digitized and presented in this paper.
Biography of Ezra Decoto (PDF) — Ezra William Decoto Junior was the son of local pioneer, Ezra Decoto, and part of the family that gave its name to the town of Decoto. Ezra Decoto Jr. served the University of California, Alameda County and the State of California from 1900 to 1948. Although forgotten now, during his days, he was a well known figure in Oakland and Alameda County.
Dry Creek Cottage & Gardens Tour (PDF) — Dry Creek Cottage & Gardens Tour: This self-guide tour covers the history of Dry Creek Cottage & Gardens, part of Garin/Dry Creek/Pioneer Regional Park, and details the different buildings on the property.
In Search of a Rainbow, by Florence Paniagua Sanchez (PDF) — An immigrant family comes to Decoto. This is a rare detailed story of the experience of the Paniagua. Immigrants were told of “gold in the streets” and how easy life was in America. As many immigrants found out, life was not easier. In the end, most families did fairly well for themselves and this is true of the Paniagua family.
Decoto Bicycle Tour, by Timothy Swenson (PDF) — A self-guided tour of Union City’s historic Decoto area.
Horticulture and history meet at Meyers Garden, by Victor Carvellas
