Initial Settlers of Russell City
The lands that comprised Russell City were once a part of the Rancho San Lorenzo land grant, owned by the Soto family. During the gold rush period, New Englander Joel Russell migrated to California. From 1853 to 1856, the future founder of Russell City squatted on the Soto’s land. At the end of the three years, the Soto’s agreed to sell him a portion of the rancho. In the following decades, Joel Russell focused on political and real estate ventures. He did sell small parcels of his land to German, Swiss, and Danish immigrants over the decades. The community was later referred to as Little Cophengean. After Joel died in 1888, the predominantly undeveloped land was divided into narrow-gridded plots and sold. Mr. Russell’s sons hoped to develop the land into a bustling city; however, it wasn’t until the mid-20th century that the town’s population significantly increased.
New Beginnings
Late 19th and early 20th century migration to Russell City was influenced by the city’s proximity to agricultural, cannery, and salt production employment opportunities. During the mid-20th century, industrial manufacturing, shipyard, and wartime employment in the surrounding region renewed interest in the city. “(As of 1942) Many of the present occupants of the ‘city’ did not move into it until after the depression. They came from the large cities nearby, from agricultural areas within the state, from Porto Rico, from Hawaii, from the Philippines, and from the Dust Bowl.” (Russell City Survey 1942).
Employment rates for Russell City residents fluctuated over the decades due to economic shifts locally and nationwide. During periods of unemployment, individuals turned to social programs to survive. For residents with an entrepreneurial spirit, Russell City offered the opportunity to establish various businesses, including automotive, carpentry, construction, dairy production, retail, livestock raising, and others.
From far and Wide
A Community Formed and a City Thrived
Setting Down Roots
Blues Mecca
Lack of Support and Growing Hostilities
Although the unincorporated city and diverse community thrived, life in rural Russell City was challenging. Utilities, such as garbage, water, and sewer services including storm drains, were non-existent in the city’s infrastructure and operations. The high water table, lack of sewers, and wastewater processing facilities resulted in the periodic contamination of well water, which was their only drinking source. Occasional dysentery and other illnesses occurred as the population increased. In the fall of 1949, Alameda County notified Russell City residents that they had rejected a proposed plan that involved Hayward and Alameda County jointly sharing the cost of building water utilities for Russell City. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors argued that the county had no legal authority to finance the construction and maintenance of water pipes, even though Hayward offered to construct a partial line and sell Hetch-Hetchy water to Russell City. Residents fought for water access, petitioned for county assistance, gained the support of local organizations, and contacted California government officials; however, Alameda County’s stance remained unchanged.
Beyond utilities, the dirt roads were treacherous during the rainy season. The high water table and natural water drainage out to the bay made roads into muddy sloughs. Only three of the roads were paved, which was made possible by the tenacity and grit of residents who proved to the county that the need for paved roads was great. The county’s initial argument stated that due to the low property values and tax revenue, the potential revenue did not justify the costly construction. Russell City residents continuously fought against Alameda County and the public’s perception that Russell City was a slum and blight for the region. Over the decades, the growing animosity between the Alameda County and Russell City residents led to hostile interactions and the eventual razing of Russell City.
“We had horrid living conditions, but we had beautiful people who lived there, people who loved you and looked out for one another. We planted our own gardens, we picked our own food. We had chickens, we had hogs. You know, there was always the stench because, you know, from the hog ranches and animals just being everywhere…..” (Gloria Moore, prior resident of Russell City)
Eminent Domain & Destruction
In the mid-1950s, Alameda County Board of Supervisors desired to increase its industrial district. Lands were assessed for constructability and revenue potential. Considering the major regional developments including Hayward’s airport revitalization and the planned construction of the San Mateo Bridge, Russell City was deemed a desirable location. In the summer of 1956, Alameda County began formulating a plan to condemn Russell City, remove its residents, and construct an industrial park. Within this period, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors banned residential development, impeding revitalization efforts. To combat the county’s efforts and save their homes, Russell City residents requested rezoning the city to predominately residential use. Had the city been rezoned residential, residents would have been to apply for federal urban redevelopment funding, thereby enabling the city to build the critical infrastructure that it desperately needed. Detrimentally, the county denied the rezoning request. In fall of 1960, the county designated Hayward the Urban Renewal Agency for Russell City. A few years later, Russell City was annexed to Hayward and the removal process of its residents began. During this period, numerous arson fires broke out, engulfing vacant and occupied properties as the community fought their eviction. Initially, officials offered to purchase the land, however, the city ultimately used eminent domain to force residents out of Russell City. By 1967, the last remaining resident of Russell City had moved away. The razing of Russell City, forever changed the trajectory of its residents. Hardships were endured, businesses, homes, and land taken, and relationships lost.
