American settlers migrated overland or came by ship to the San Francisco Bay area. They bought, rented, or just took over the fertile farm land in our area. Many squatters settled on the Ex-Mission San Jose grant because of confusion created by the doubtful title.
These American pioneers planted thousands of acres of grain and vegetables and changed the economy from peaceful pastoral to intensive agricultural (business, marketing, and industry).
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They took over the old Mission and rancho landings, built wharves and warehouses, and shipped their produce to San Francisco. John Horner farmed thousands of acres and was recognized as California's first farmer. The East Bay became the leading agricultural area in California.
Mission San Jose became a boisterous supply center for hordes of miners on their way to the gold mines. Elias Beard, Henry Smith, and others opened stores, lodging quarters, restaurants, and saloons in the old adobe buildings. A post office was established here in 1850 before California became a state.
Henry Smith was elected to the California State Assembly and led the fight to create the new county of Alameda with the court house located in his store in his town on the bank of Alameda Creek. Pioneer Alameda County government was developed here at Alvarado. For a few years our area (which was named Washington Township) was the center for the political, social, and cultural activities of the county.
American pioneers built stores, schools, churches, and lodges. They developed industries, improved roads, provided transportation, and created a climate for business and development. Crops were good, business thrived, and money circulated in waves of prosperity until the panic of 1855 temporarily halted progress. Some pioneers lost almost everything in the panic, but they battled through the crisis and continued developing their farm and business enterprises. Farmers on Ex-Mission San Jose land finally obtained title to their land in 1867.
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