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The area known today as
the City of Alameda(a Spanish name chosen
by popular vote in 1853, meaning "grove
of poplar trees") is part of a
former Spanish land grant stretching from
San Leandro to Berkeley, and given to
Luis Peralta in 1818, by the Governor of
California. Subsequently, Peralta gave
this land to his son, Antonio Peralta.
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Chipman and Gideon Aughinbaugh, were the
first American settlers to arrive in
Alameda. Their pursuits led to the
establishment of a large peach orchard
signaling the beginning of the area's
development. Subsequently, Chipman and
Aughinbaugh purchased the Alameda land (then
a peninsula) for the sum of $14,000.
On December 27, 1884, the City of
Alameda was formally organized and on
January 18, 1885, the Official Seal was
approved and adopted. Its Latin
inscription "Prosperitas terra mari
que." The Island of Alameda
was created in 1902 when a tidal canal
was created joining Oakland's harbor with
the San Leandro Bay. With this move,
Alameda was put on the map as an
important shipping port.
Alameda is a charter city (California
has 444 cities: 82 charter and 362
general law), and as such has the power
to make and enforce ordinances and
regulations in respect to its "municipal
affairs" subject only to
restrictions and limitations provided in
its charter (Sec. 5, Article XI State
Constitution). In comparison, a general
law city is governed principally by the
general law of the state. In 1917,
Alameda along with six other California
Cities, pioneered the Council-Manager
form of government. The system proved so
effective that virtually all California
cities have since adopted this form of
government. The City's present charter
was adopted in 1937, (last revised and
updated in 1998) and created Alameda's
Civil Service System.
Today, Alameda's elected officials,
City staff, volunteer Boards and
Commissions and special committees work
together to preserve and enhance the
quality of life Alamedans have enjoyed
for more than a century. Resplendent
Victorian homes grace shade tree-lined
streets covering the island's 12.4 square
miles. An invigorating climate, manicured
parks, historical business districts and
numerous recreational opportunities offer
Alameda's 72,259 residents special living
environment.
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