From the Elks to the Eagles and the Oddfellows to the Masons, social clubs in Alameda left permanent marks on our community. The meeting places of these clubs, many originally restricted to White men only, today comprise some of the most recognizable locations in town. Some clubs still operate.

Historians often hear the mistaken idea that California played no role in the Civil War.

In fact, during the Civil War California furnished the Union army some 17,000 volunteers — a number that could make up just under two divisions of soldiers.

Dennis Evanosky

Part two in a series

Streetcar service began here in 1875, when the Alameda, Oakland & Piedmont’s (AO&P) horsecar line first carried passengers through town from the Central Pacific Railroad Station at today’s Tilden Way and Lincoln Avenue.

Part one in a series

Mid-19th-century Alamedans did not have a convenient way to travel to Oakland. This was especially true for West Enders who had to travel — oftentimes walk— across the peninsula to catch J. P. Potter’s omnibus that ran from Park Street to Oakland.

On an auspicious date in Alameda history often overlooked, Aug. 8, 1902, at 7:30 a.m., the Alameda peninsula was detached from the mainland after decades of engineering work. “The city attained to insular importance ...

Residents near the East End shoreline were surprised to discover their neighborhood was once the site of a Jurassic-era watering hole. Recent record-high tides helped expose a bone sticking out of the the banks of San Leandro Bay.

At an initial proposed cost of $226,380, the construction of Alameda City Hall proved a serious investment for Alameda residents.

Lately I’ve come across social media postings from people who are surprised at just how many pharmaceutical advertisements Americans are subjected to on a daily basis, and how Americans can rattle off the names of such fabulous products as Skyrizi, Ozempic and Trempfya.

Dennis Evanosky
Part one of six.

An Alameda man and his uncle by marriage played key roles in bringing the transcontinental railroad to the West Coast.

Pull up the Alameda Daily Evening Encinal edition of Sept. 29, 1891, and printed inside is a copy of the original text that created Alameda Fire Department (AFD). Ordinance 175 delinated how AFD would operate. Prior to this, Alameda had several unaffiliated fire companies.