Assignment 7

To better Understand the history that I have researched, the history of the people of Mt. Eden and their love for the area, one must come to experience the peacefulness that is achieved here. The research that I took part in is very important for many reasons, but most importantly, explains why most of the people of the area still reside there, and most are of German, or Danish descent; The tight knit community that Mt Eden Was founded it continues to flourish today, and the main indicator that this is ongoing is the name of the are, which even though was annexed by the city of Hayward in the 1950's. this helps us understand why the names of the street in the region are named after pioneers of the areas, and why many of the families still reside there today! this can be seen right next to Chabot College, where the Fry Family continues to operate a barn with supplies, in a building that feels as if you are back in Hayward in the late 1800's.
The evidence that I found took place primarily in the mid 1800's, as families that never struck it rich during the gold rush were now flocking to get jobs in the agricultural or salt industry. People like Joe Johnson , A salt Pioneer, or Joel Russel, also a Dockworker, allowed the people who worked the labor with them to stay in the area and settle with their families. These two factors, along with the fact that a general store was opened, a post office, and a church where all can worship, paved the way for a tight knit community that disagrees with complete annexation, even today!The fact that neighbor's like to live in an area with no sidewalks, well water, and huge parcels also proves that the way of life that was established by the Mt. Eden area pioneers continues to be cherished to this date.
My story is a bay area story for many reasons. First, the bay area has been a place known for its advancements in technology (San Jose, Silicon Valley), and willingness to expand cities infrastructure , including building of houses, schools etc. Mt Eden is unique in the fact that even though it is located in Hayward, what is ironically known as the heart of the bay,
the residents of the area refuse to be part of the main stream, and have fought the local government over 20 years to prevent the annexation of the lands in which their homes are built! Even though it would mean more advanced water systems, sewage, and sidewalks, the neighbors enjoy the small town feeling, and feel as if this would intrude on their personal lives! the fact that the place was known as "Little Copenhagen" and "German Town" also make it unique in that these were enclaves for the German and Danish Populations that were coming to the area at the time. Even though other groups in Hayward settled elsewhere in the city, such as the Portuguese by downtown, or the Mexicans and blacks in Russel town, the Germans came from a distinct, educated background that allowed for more of a skewed advantage overall. Things that we spoke about in class and read, such as the discrimination of Asians in the Bay also apply here in Mt Eden. Asians were discriminated in the Mt Eden part of Hayward, with evidence of Burial certificates not stating a name, but rather China men, and other derogatory names. This helped me learn as to why Chinese or Asians, particularly in Mt. Eden, never were heard from rather than that of been peasants, and never had such big land holdings in the area.
The real question that I am left with is really this. Will Mt. Eden continue to flourish as a diamond in the rough of Hayward, or will its downfall begin as this neighborhood becomes more integrated and diverse? Will the Annexation of Mt. Eden help lead to a modernization of Eden? Will the people be willing to accept this? Will all the historic places, such as the Mt eden cemetary, the famous windmills of the areas, houses with surplus yards, trees, dissapear, or will they continue to put the spotlight on Eden? Only time will tell this time, but my guess is as good as yours. One thing that truly remains to be discovered is wether or not Eden will ever open a museum of some sort to display all its rich history that is preserved to today. DO the residents of hayward care? probably not, but the history of this region is so rich and in abundance that citizens can only benefit from knowing how their community developed into what it is today.