Part VII – Charles Hooper’s Empire from the Air

George Russell maneuvered his plane to the north once passing the Columbia-Geneva Steel plant in Pittsburg in the mid-1920s to capture this breathtaking west view. Ref: API 578_41_BOX 71 thru 74

L185-05-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 1 of 45)

By 1928, Pittsburg had become a U.S. industrial center, starting with very little in that capacity at the turn of the 20th century. George Russell’s aerial photos from this period document how this was achieved, and follow what is recorded on this page from a 1928 Thomas Bros. map of the area. But first, the catalyst for this development.

L185-10-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 41000, (Image 2 of 45)

Charles Appleton Hooper had come to Northern California in the 1860s where he invested in timber and ranch lands among other industrial interests through much of the 19th century. At the turn of 20th century, Hopper acquired the approximately 10,000 acre Rancho Los Medanos, land that traced back to the original Mexican land grant of the 1830s. Large quantities of wood could be dried with direct proximity to ships to receive and transport finished products.

L185-15-From Press Ref. Library, Vol. 2, Int. News. Service 1915 via Google Books, (Image 3 of 45)

Hooper was succeeded after his death by his son-in-law, Wigginton Ellis Creed, at one time President of Pacific, Gas and Electric Co., and a director of Wells Fargo and the East Bay Water Co. among other notable institutions and ventures. Creed was devoted to Hooper’s vision until his own death in 1927, leaving the C.A. Hopper Co.’s imprint on the city as shown in this map from 1928.

L185-20-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 41000, (Image 4 of 45)

Based on the aerials to follow, George Russell took several trips over the area. This east view from a cracked glass plate negative is from no earlier than 1931 based on the completion of the new extension of the SN into the industrial center, and the new St. Peter Martyr Church at Black Diamond and 8th Sts. A simple orientation follows. Ref: API 628_3_BOX 95

L185-25-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 5 of 45)

An annotated version of the previous east view shows the SN tracks continue past the third and present St. Peter Martyr Church, red arrow, and the SN station, turquoise arrow, into the industrial center from the 1930 extension. The yellow arrow points to Pittsburg High School, a brick structure opened in 1928 as shown on page 47 of Robert Tatam’s ”Old Times in Contra Costa”. Other details will be addressed later. Ref: API 628_3_BOX 95

L185-26-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 6 of 45)

Dating the aerial images to follow to a 2-3 year window was possible when major changes could be documented. This view toward the northwest shows the relatively large undeveloped space between the town grid and the industrial edge, a grove of trees blocking the future SN approach east of its Pittsburg station, and the absence of the third St. Peter Martyr. Go to the next image. API 578_30_BOX 74

L185-30-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 7 of 45)

This undated northwest view shares many features with the previous image, but there is one major shared difference, and the area to the south of the Southern Pacific right-of-way is included here. See the next detail. Ref: API 578_19_BOX 72

L185-35-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 8 of 45)

The red arrow points to the largely expanded Johns-Manville Corp. plant. This may have occurred when the company went public in 1927, but is undocumented. This however, sets a date later than that seen in L185-30. The green arrow shows no changes on the future site of the high school, whose construction was estimated to have begun in 1927. Ref: API 578_19_BOX 72

L185-40-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 9 of 45)

This undated mid-1920s northeast view highlights the abrupt change between the open land to the west to the city’s west edge. Ref: API 628_2_BOX 95

L185-45-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 10 of 45)

Next, a detail from the 1928 map to guide the next discussion.

L185-50-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 41000, Detail, (Image 11 of 45)

This mid-1920s northeast view will serves as a place to start further identification of important landmarks. An annotated version follows. Ref: API 578_31_BOX 71 thru 74

L185-55-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 12 of 45)

The Diamond Brick Co. was one of several smaller industries that Hooper directly built that also included a mill and a dairy. The Los Medanos Hotel was built in 1917 after his death by the C.A. Hooper Co. The Congregational Church dates to the 1880s. The high school used the top of the grammar school between 1924-1928. More research needed to complete this image. Ref: API 578_31_BOX 71 thru 74

L185-56-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 13 of 45)

City Park marks the southern edge at the western edge of the town in this undated northwest view. Ref: API 578_28_BOX 72

L185-60-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 14 of 45)

Next, a southwest view of the city’s western edge. The trees accentuate the SP and Santa Fe right-of-ways, back to front, respectively, followed in the foreground by the Willow Pass Rd. The SN can be better appreciated in the detail that follows. Ref: API 628_5_BOX 93

L185-65-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 15 of 45)

A view of homes on the western edge, and the SN trestle at the entry into Pittsburg, red arrow. Today the track and that trestle are gone, but evidence for the creek still exists behind a fence of NRG, south of the Pittsburg Generating Station. Details for that in another landmark. Ref: API 628_5_BOX 93

L185-70-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 16 of 45)

Pittsburg’s past connection to fishing and canneries will be highlighted by the next several images starting with this west view of F.E. Booth Co. Booth had established several tomato and fruit, as well as fish canning operations, in Northern California by the 1920s. www.vasonabranch contains many useful primary references. Re: 628_6_BOX 93

L185-75-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 17 of 45)

In 1917, Otis Loveridge wrote “Among the large operators of the fishing industry are the American Fish & Oyster Company, and the F. E. Booth Company, the latter employing from two to three hundred men several months in the year in their canning operations, in addition to their packing business.” Ref: “History of Pittsburg, California:, from The History of Contra Costa County, California, Edited by: F. J. Hulaniski, The Elms Publishing Co., Inc., Berkeley, California 1917; Photo: API 459_4_BOX 19

L185-80-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 18 of 45)

The fishing industry expanded when Italian immigrants came to Pittsburg in the 1870s. Between 1917 and 1930, Pittsburg’s population doubled to just under 10,000, with Booth employing 375 workers, and the fishing industry another 550 based on the data from the Byron Times chart shown in the book “Pittsburg” by Marti Aiello. Ref: API 459_3_BOX 19

L185-85-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 19 of 45)

A final southeast view of F.E. Booth and surroundings from the late 1920s. Note the expanded Johns-Manville Corp. plant in the background. A detail follows. Ref: API 459_2_BOX 19

L185-90-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 20 of 45)

A detail from the previous southeast view, the expanded Johns-Manville Corp. plant is shown. One of the longer-lived companies in the industrial core of the city, it is unfortunately remembered most for the lawsuits and related problems dealing with manufacturing and use of asbestos. Ref: API 459_2_BOX 19134

L185-95-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 21 of 45)

Back now to Hooper and his most direct contribution to the North Coast. This undated southwest image shows piles of wood, marking the western border of the Redwood Manufacturing Co., or REMCO, as it was called. Hooper constructed his timber finishing plant in 1903 or so, and he would have to build his own company to power it. The power company was essential in furthering local industrial growth. Ref: API 578_14_BOX 71 thru 74

L185-100-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 22 of 45)

A south view of REMCO prior to the expansion of Johns-Manville Corp. to the west. In 1917, Loveridge wrote: “Redwood Manufacturers Company, which has a capitalization of one million dollars and operates here one of the largest woodworking plants in the world, making into finished products redwood and pine lumber, which is brought in by coastwise vessels from the great forests of the northern coast.” Ref: API 578_32_BOX 74

L185-105-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission , (Image 23 of 45)

A detail of the north view of REMCO circa 1927. Loveridge concluded: “The company also carries large stocks of northern fir and other woods. The manufacturing facilities of the Redwood Manufacturers Company is second only to their immense stock, and its product finds a ready market in almost every civilized community in the world where wood products are used.” Ref: API 578_32_BOX 74

L185-110-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 24 of 45)

The emergence of REMCO and other industries fueled addition of housing units on Hooper’s property south of the town proper, set between the Santa Fe and SP railroads, the latter shown in the background. Ref: API 578_11_BOX 73

L185-115-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 25 of 45)

By end of the first decade, Hooper had managed to establish REMCO, sell his power concern to Great Western Power, and attract Columbia Geneva Steel Co. to set up shop just to the east of REMCO. Southwest view, mid-1920s. Ref: API 578_45_BOX 74

L185-120-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 26 of 45)

Hooper wooed Charles M. Gunn, formerly of Union Iron Works in San Francisco, with land and some investment to create Columbia Geneva Steel in 1908, the largest local employer during most of the 20th century. By 1923, it had the capacity to produce rolled sheets, as well nails, rods, and wire. It added tin plating in 1929, essential for the regions fruit and vegetable canning industry. It became part of US Steel in 1930. Ref: API 578_38_BOX 74

L185-125-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 27 of 45)

Relative to the last image, this northeast image from 1930 documents the housing boom alongside REMCO, and the growth of the physical plant of Columbia Steel for its over two thousand workers when it was acquired by US Steel. Ref: Ref: API 578_36_BOX 71 thru 74

L185-130-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 28 of 45)

A little further east relative to the previous image, this northeast image was also taken in 1930 as well. Coming into view to the east are two more important industrial operations in the area. But, first, evidence that the last two images were taken in 1930 is based on the following ... Ref: API 578_33_BOX 71 thru 74

L185-135-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 29 of 45)

... showing the same scene with the corner of the image darkened to reveal George Russell’s 1930 copyright. Ref: API 628_7_BOX 93

L185-140-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 30 of 45)

To the east of Columbia Steel resided Pioneer Rubber, left, and the Great Western Electro-Chemical Co., right. Ref: API 578_48_BOX 74

L185-145-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 31 of 45)

The April 1, 1920 “The India Rubber World”, page 453, noted that “The Pioneer Rubber Mills was the name assumed by the Bowers Rubber Work, started in the 1880s by W.F. Bowers. It was the first company to import crude rubber directly into California. Twenty acres in size, it also houses its large work force.” In addition to processing crude rubber, it began reclamation efforts in the 1920s. Ref: API 578_48_BOX 74, Detail

L185-150-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 32 of 45)

A small fence separated the Great Western Electro-Chemical Co. from Pioneer Rubber, the two now seen in this undated southeast view. According to Robert B. Tatam’s “Old Times in Contra Costa County”, Bowers was the second major manufacturer to locate in Pittsburg, doing so in 1906. Ref: API 569_2_BOX 66

L185-155-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 33 of 45)

Mortimer Fleischacker and John Bush created Great Western in Pittsburg in 1916, here seen by itself in a southeast view. In 1917, Loveridge wrote: “The only electro-chemical plant on the Pacific Coast is in operation at Pittsburg. There is no other plant of this kind west of Detroit. Caustic soda and chloride of lime, commonly known as bleaching powder, will be manufactured at the plant.” Ref: API 569_3_BOX 66

L185-160-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 34 of 45)

This north view highlights the train tracks from the Santa Fe that engulfed the rubber and chemical plants. Loveridge continues: “Caustic soda, or lye, enters largely in the manufacture of soap, and is also an important adjunct in the refining of oil and the preserving of fruit. There are many uses for chloride of lime, but the largest demand for it arises from the fact that it forms the base of a large number of fire extinguishers.” Ref: API 570_10_BOX 69

L185-165-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 35 of 45)

Another north view. Loveridge concluded: “Salt and burnt lime are important agencies in the manufacture of these chemical products, and as both are found in large quantities around the bay section, the selection of Pittsburg as a site for the plant was a fortunate one. As the name, electro-chemical, implies, electricity is used as an aid to the mechanical manufacture of the chemical products. Two hundred or more men are employed in this plant.” Ref: API 570_18_BOX 69

L185-170-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 36 of 45)

A last close view, this time toward the northwest. The Great Western Electro-Chemical Co. maintained employment levels into the depression and developed a process for chlorinated hydrocarbon production. This new technology led to its merger with Dow in 1939. Ref: API 570_7_BOX 69

L185-175-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 37 of 45)

To the southeast of Pittsburg and directly south of Antioch resided this storage structure whose function has not been determined. Go on to the next image. Northwest view, circa 1927. Ref: API 628_1_BOX 91

L185-180-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 38 of 45)

The dozen of storage tanks to the west of the mystery structure would suggest that this area was owned or leased by one of the local fuel-related companies in the area, but this has not been determined. Ref: API 627_2_BOX 93

L185-185-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 39 of 45)

Charles Hooper’s philanthropy spilled over to Antioch, the city seen in an undated northwest view. Hooper donated the land and the funds to build Riverview Union High School between Antioch and Pittsburg in 1910, here seen as the cluster of buildings and trees west of the industrial plant. Today this building is home to the Antioch Historical Museum. Ref: API 578_21_BOX 71

L185-190-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 40 of 45)

This undated southeast view highlights Fibreboard Paper Products Co. and the mainline of the Santa Fe. According to Robert Tatam, the facility had begun several mergers back as a paper mill in 1889 as M.D. Keeney and Sons. Ref: API 580_6_BOX 73

L185-195-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 41 of 45)

Once to the east of the plant, the residential portion of Antioch comes into view in this southeast undated aerial. Ref: API 580_7_BOX 80

L185-200-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 42 of 45)

A detail shows four structures found in “Antioch” by the Antioch Historical Society. That reference states that the grammar school was demolished in 1926, placing an upper limit on when this aerial photo was taken.

L185-201-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 43 of 45)

Based primarily on expansion of Columbia Steel and Great Western by national corporations US Steel and Dow Chemical, respectively, and the continued influence of C.A. Hooper Co., Pittsburg did well during the depression, setting the stage for a thriving business during WWII and the Korean War. The image is of steel sheet product within Columbia-US Steel in 1960.

L185-205-Courtesy Contra Costa County Historical Society, 7898, (Image 44 of 45)

This Western Pacific circular, thought to be from the 1950s based on the businesses listed, reinforces that the general health of Hooper’s Empire was good at that time. Camp Stoneman’s departure in 1954 signaled the beginning of a more challenging era for the area that will be taken up at a later time.

L185-210-Courtesy Bruce Eldridge, (Image 45 of 45)