The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-08-10
YOUNGEST CITY
ON BAY GOING
TO HAVE BEST
ROADS

Richmond. the youngest city on San
Francisco bay, with the greatest man.
ufacturing industries, is not going to
take a back seat on the good roads
question.
Since the bond election in Contra
Costa county for good roads failed of
carrying, the citizens of Richmond are
more determined than ever that they
will not be classed with rural commu-
mites by having rough and unsightly
roads.
There is a strong feeling in Rich
mond, which has sprung. up since this
good roads movement failed, of dividing
the county and having the county. seat
of the New Richmond County at
Richmond or San Pablo
The people of Richmond feel the
blow that was given the whole commu-
nifty by the election, and they are de-
termined now to spend not only $780,.
900, which has been devoted to street
improvements, but to increase that
amount double.
Since the beginning Of the year there
has been nearly 100000 worth of street
contracts let, and there is over 100000
in contracts which has not been bid.
Evidently Richmond feels that she has
outgrown being a city of the sixth
class, for she seems to be determined
to compete with Oakland and Berkeley,
not only in general improvements. but
in manufacturing and schools. Every
streets Toward the west, near the
great plant of the Standard Oil Com
pany. across to the Pullman Car Com
paays Riant i Stree Ell are 6eimg rard
sidewalks by the mile going down and
the street cars are all full OF people.
Automobiles are to be seen practically
as frequently as horse. vehicles, and
everybody around the whole bay seems
to be interested in the progress this
young giant is making:
improving streets, which were simply
country roads, until about one year
ago. The citizens formed themselves
into an Improvement club, and Rich
though the city was fifty years old
New buildings. new banks. new resi-
dences are going up All over Richmond,
nifty has attracted the Pacific Gas and
Electric Company of San Francisco to
put down mains all over the city for
heating. cooking and lighting purposes.
mond is the newest city on the Pacific
Coast, being but ten years old. and
consequently the rapid street improve
a real estate boom, whereas such is not
the case; it is simply the natural indus
trial growth that demands these i'm
provements.
Richmond's streets, as laid out, are
wide The Improvement of them is
steadily progressing and the city is
pledged to policy or Improvement
that will result in enhancing property
values.
The western portion of the city is
more largely devoted to manufacturing
and business than to other uses, but II
contains a great many lots upon which
homes have been erected, and there IS
ample room for great many more.
What may be done in street improve
ment has been shown by the compile
ton of Macdonald avenue, which, lined
with stores and residences. runs SOME
thing more than a mile as straight as
an arrow and as smooth and well i'm
proved as any boulevard in the world.
Richmond is still SO new that much
is still in the formative stage This
will lead to the adoption of the latest
ideas in making 1T attractive. In COM
mon with the surrounding country. 1t
has fine SOIL in which, under days OF
almost uninterrupted sunshine, all sorts
Of flowers, ornamental shrubs and trees
and lawns and fine gardens can be
made to thrive. The vegetation OF the
county is remarkably diversified. Near
ly all products of the soil that grow in
any part OF the county can be success
fully grown for ornament and for profit
in the gardens of Richmond
One of the greatest aids to Rich
mond's advancement has been the inn
provement club, which has ever been
watchful in seeing that money was
spent for all needful things, particular
" for good roads and streets, which
are a new towns best assets.