Hayward
California
City of Hayward
History :
In 1843, Mexican Governor Michaeltoreño rewarded Guillermo Castro for his past military and civil service by granting him "El Rancho San Lorenzo" - 27,000 acres of flatlands, hills and canyons now known as Hayward and Castro Valley. Castro erected an adobe house where the historic Hayward City Hall is located. Castro's corrals were in the area now occupied by the current Library and Post Office, and not far from the location of the Hayward Area Historical Society Museum. By 1852, Don Castro had laid out the town of San Lorenzo, four blocks square, on the area surrounding his rancho adobe and rodeo plaza. He donated land for schools and public places and began to sell off parcels of land.
How Hayward Got Its Name :
In 1851, during the time of the Gold Rush, William Hayward made his way to "El Rancho San Lorenzo," squatting on land in Palomares Canyon. In 1852, at the invitation of Don Guillermo Castro, Hayward bought 40 acres of land spanning what is now the downtown Hayward area. He opened a general trading store which soon prospered into a stagecoach stop, a post office, a hostelry and a dairy farm. Later, William Hayward became Post Master, Justice of Peace, County Supervisor and Eden Township Roadmaster. Hayward and his second wife, Rachel, also established the "Hayward's Hotel," one of the area's finest resorts.
Although Don Castro named what is now downtown Hayward "San Lorenzo," many people referred to the town as "Hayward's Place" or "Hayward's" because of the famous Hayward Hotel. When the post office was established in 1860, the town was given the official name of "Haywood," due to a clerical error. In 1876, "Haywood" was incorporated as the "Town of Haywards," with a population of 1,100. In 1894, the "s" in "Haywards" was dropped and on September 18, 1928, the status of the community was changed to the "City of Hayward."
Recent News
Light Up the Season Community Event Returns on Saturday, December 7, 2024
Light Up the Season, the annual downtown Hayward winter-time celebration and tree lighting ceremony, is returning to the City Hall rotunda and plaza this Saturday afternoon and evening with some new attractions. This year, the City of Hayward…
Read More »Join the Inaugural Hayward Restaurant Month During January 2024
Eat. Drink. Repeat. From morning breakfast ‘til dessert, “keep it Local” during the month of January for Hayward Restaurant Month 2024. Participating restaurants offer specially created menu items and/or discounts to showcase…
Read More »Registration Open for Next Hayward Disposal Days Event on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023
The City of Hayward Maintenance Services Department is hosting its next Disposal Days event Saturday, Dec. 9, providing community members an additional way to dispose of household debris safely and legally free of charge. The 2023 Disposal…
Read More »Hayward City Council to Consider Sidewalk Vendor Ordinance
The Hayward City Council will consider on Tuesday the adoption of new regulations and guidelines for sidewalk vending in the City including the establishment of a new permitting program for sidewalk vendors. The proposals are intended to bring…
Read More »Hayward Municipal Computer Network Restored Following Disruptive Cybersecurity Event
Hayward, CA - The City of Hayward successfully brought back online its internal computer network on Tuesday, an important milestone in its recovery from an ongoing cybersecurity event in which intruders infiltrated City systems for the purpose of…
Read More »Disposal Days Program for Getting Rid of Household Debris Returns June 10, 2023
Disposal Days program for getting rid of household debris returns Saturday, June 10 The City of Hayward’s Maintenance Services Department is hosting its next Disposal Days event on Saturday, June 10. These events provide community members…
Read More »City of Hayward News - Hayward to Update City’s Sidewalk-Vending Ordinance
Hayward to update City’s sidewalk-vending ordinance The City of Hayward is updating local rules related to sidewalk vending of food and merchandise in the City and invites community members to provide input on the topic and let us know if…
Read More »City Of Hayward : The Stack - February 2023
Hayward Police Activities League basketball clinic starting Wednesday, Feb. 15 The new Hayward Police Activities League Program is tipping off with a 2023 Basketball Clinic taking place each Wednesday through June 7 at Matt Jimenez Community…
Read More »City of Hayward: Statement On The Passing Of Alameda County Supervisor Richardvalle
Dear Hayward Community, Yesterday, Alameda County Supervisor Richard Valle passed away. Colleagues and friends across the East Bay are devastated and feeling sad. Supervisor Valle’s district included Hayward, Union City, Newark, and parts of…
Read More »City of Hayward News - Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas Statement on the Death of TyreNichols
Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas statement on the death of TyreNichols Dear Hayward Community, I just finished watching the disturbing video released from the City of Memphis. Like you and your neighbors, I am disgusted and frustrated. I am heartened…
Read More »City of Hayward The Leaflet - January 2023
Federal government adopts Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), providing $8.8 billion in new and renewed electrification incentives to US households In August 2022, the federal government passed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), authorizing $369…
Read More »City of Hayward : Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration eventreturns Monday, January 16
HAYWARD, Calif., Jan. 11, 2023— Hayward will pay tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a program of music and song, poetry, community-award recognitions, a keynote address by Chief of Police Toney Chaplin and other…
Read More »City of Hayward News - Dan Goldstein Appointed to Hayward City Council
Dan Goldstein appointed to Hayward City Council Planning Commissioner Dan Goldstein was appointed to the City Council on Monday night to complete the unexpired term of the Council seat vacated by Mark Salinas following his election and swearing-in…
Read More »City of Hayward The Stack: Year in Review - January 2023
New Hayward mayor, council members elected in 2022 Councilmember Mark Salinas took the oath as Mayor and Planning Commissioner Julie Roche and community organizer George Syrop were sworn in as new City Council members in 2022. Read the full…
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