“It was in the year 1892 that the first trolley cars began to operate throughout San Leandro from Oakland to Hayward, known as the Oakland-San Leandro and Hayward Electric Railway. It consisted of a one line track with wooden posts and cast iron extensions projecting out to hold the trolley wire.
A year or two later, one bright sunny day, a gang of construction workers began to tear up our main street. On inquiry, it was learned that they were about to install a double track system through town. This the citizenry did not desire, claiming the street too narrow for a two-track line. Quite a crowd gathered ordering the construction crew to cease work. This they refused to do, and a battle took place right there – even throwing a rope over one of the trolley posts with the intention of a lynching party.
The construction boss was put in the old town jail and work stopped through injunction proceedings. A watch was kept on the job night and day, for it was understood that if the rails were laid they could over-ride the injunction. Nightsticks were ordered for all men about town. If the work were to start day or night, old fire bell was to be run in a certain way. Everyman was to come running with his nightstick to do battle. Some of the old sticks were painted and engraved, and many of them were on display in saloons and business houses for years after.
Many years later a franchise was granted the Key System to double track the line, and after it was granted………the city council members were accused of receiving graft from the company for this franchise” Saga of San Leandro Page 55-56
This blog is brought to you by Joy Elliott, Broker Associate with Re/Max Accord Real Estate
Joy's family is 4th generation San Leandro resident. I know the neighborhoods.............
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