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Discovered in 1772 by a Spanish explorer, San
Leandro became famous during the late 1800s and early 1900s for
its delicious cherries. In 1909, to celebrate the abundant cherry
harvest, San Leandro held its first Cherry Festival, an event
which was so successful, it is still celebrated today.
In 1900, this area became the site of the
Trojan Powder Works, which operated here until 1963. It produced
ammunition during World War I and made explosives which were used
in the construction of the Panama Canal. Marshes were diked and
filled for the powder factory. In later years, the rich, fertile
marsh soil here was used for farming. Dikes were built to create
dry land for farming. This caused the remaining marsh lands to
sink, which increased their salinity and reduced their
productivity. These developments altered and destroyed the
original marsh environment.
The area along the Bay north of the mouth of
San Lorenzo Creek in San Leandro was once known as Roberts
Landing. This was the site of Alameda County's first shipping
venture. Captain William Roberts established the port in 1851 to
take locally-grown hay, fruits, and vegetables across the Bay to
San Francisco. Warehouses and docks were built here along the
slough. Flat-bottomed two-masted scow scooners sailed in and out
of the slough at high tide. Roberts Landing lasted until the
1870's. It was put out of business, like many other transportation
ventures on the Bay, by the transcontinental railroad. |
Francisco East Bay area.