The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-13

reach tide-water. Oakland is peculiarly
situated. 1t is fact not generally known
but none the less true, that by far the
greater portion of the space inclosed
within the city limits is under water The
western line of the city scuds along the
waters of the bay just outside of the old
coal-wharves, out beyond the broad gauge
mole, and from there it continues to the
north and west until it meets the northern
boundary of the city, almost due north
and about two miles from Goat Island
To the east the city limits extend back
about four miles, and it is quite possible
tor the road to come in from the east, cut
across the southeastern corner of the city
and come along the south shore of the es-
tuarY.
Without the restraining clause previ-
ously mentioned this would bring the line
into Oakland far enough and long enough
to warrant the collection of the subscrlp-
tons, but Alameda would IN that case Sc
cure the terminus, and the Oaklanders
would have their subscriptions to pay tor
the shadow and not the substance OF the
prosperity to be brought by the new road.
By the extra clause, however, such a
thing as merely passing through without
stopping will be impossible, the road WILL
have to come through the city proper, ana
will have to meet tidewater on the city
shores.
1t is generally understood by the people
most interested in the project, that the
road will come to Martinez anyway. From
that city to Walnut Greek, a little town
on a creek of the same name, and stu
ated few miles to the north and east OF
Oakland, there is clear fiat rum which
railroaders say will draw the line to the
little town on the stream; it is from there,
consequently, that all routes into the city.
which are at present considered feasible,
begin.
Of these routes into the city there are
four. One of these comes from the north
by San Pablo Creek and along the general
line of the California and Nevada Railroad.
The others come from the east
The line from the north is considered
the best, both as to grade and practicable
ity. From the town of Walnut Greek it
would run over to the west to San Pablo
Creek, and then following the San Pablo
down Halleck street to A, down A to Wood
and along Wood parallel to the bay shore.
The residents in the northern portion of
the city, and in Temescal and Berkeley,
naturally favor this route above all others,
and they stand ready to bid high for it
when the time comes. The managers of the
new road, should it decide to acquire the
right of way over the California and Nevada
road, or to parallel it. will not be allowed
to build its pier diagonally east from where
the present railroad ends.
Two of the other routes come in from
the east, from Laundry Farm. Before
reaching the farm" lying on this side of
the hills, they run down FROM Walnut
Greek to the line of the old Salt Lake road
survey. At Laundry Farm, however, one
route branches off toward the west and
north. 1t keeps to the foothills and crosses
Indian Gulch just above Trestle Glen, then
through the Sather property, crossing the
foothills of Piedmont and the lower part
of the Blair ranch, and then into the city
by way of Fortieth street.
This route is not looked on with much
favor, however, because of the many curves
necessary around the foothills. The other
branch from Laundry Farm is much more
feasible and is much more sought for by
the property Owners along its path. This
branch runs directly down from Laundry
Farm to the intersection of Fruitvale
avenue and Fourteenth street, and from
there through Oakland by way of three or
five streets.
A fourth route comes in by way of San
Leandro, reaching that point from Walnut
Greek by following the openings of the
stream down to the San Leandro country,
or down by way of Corral Hollow, near
Livermore, and Crow Canyon, just this side