Laserfiche WebLink
1898 <br />As the city continued to grow in population, new housing was in de- <br />mand. The need for a plan was recognized, and in 1898 San Leandro was <br />platted on a traditional grid. <br />Many of the original roads and trails which predated Spanish settlement <br />were now filled with merchants serving locals and travelers. Today's East <br />14th Street was originally a native american trading route. Later it became <br />the principal route of Spanish settlement along the east bay, connecting the <br />Mission San Jose (in present-day Fremont) to the the ports and fishing areas <br />near present-day Oakland. This trail, which met the El Camino Real at San <br />Jose Pueblo (site of present-day downtown San Jose) formed an east bay <br />route parallel to the El Camino Real running parallel along the San Fran- <br />cisco peninsula bayshore. The Estudillo House served as the stagecoach stop <br />between San Jose and Oakland. <br />The street layout implemented in the downtown is a typical square block <br />design, with approximately 325 feet between intersections. However, the <br />angle at which E. 14th (the old Indian road to San Jose) meets ~~lashington <br />(part of the squared platting) created a wedge of land not suited fora struc- <br />ture. This undeveloped open space, centrally located, became the focal point <br />of the downtown area. <br />~,yJ~Y <br />«; <br />,_ <br />~~ <br />,, _q t f <br /> <br />- ~~'~~` <br />~{ <br />,. ~ <br /> <br />} wf~ <br />~ ~' <br />'~ <br />~ <br />~ ( <br />' __ <br />r ~-::-5 <br />3 .:;; ~~ - <br />sr Y Y~ :; <br />~~'a ~, f <br />,' ,yw~~ <br />.. ~ ,.. <br />r1~ <br />~~~ <br />I ~!. I <br />1 <br />3 <br />page 28 October 2000 San Leandro Downtown Plan & Urban Design Guidelines <br />