Mount Eden, California facts for kids
Mt. Eden was once a farming area in California, United States. It was located in Alameda County, near the San Francisco Bay. This area was not part of a city, but it later became part of the City of Hayward. Mt. Eden sits about 43 feet (13 meters) above sea level.
The story of Mt. Eden began in 1850. A group of farmers from Mount Eden, Kentucky traveled to California during the Gold Rush. They were looking for new opportunities. When they reached the San Francisco Bay, some of them decided to settle down. They picked a spot where two roads crossed. To mark their new home, they nailed a sign that said "Mt. Eden" to two trees. That name stuck, and the community grew from there. A post office opened in Mt. Eden in 1860. It served the community for many years, until 1953.
How Mt. Eden Grew and Changed
Over time, Mt. Eden became a busy and successful community. It stretched from the San Francisco Bay all the way to Telegraph Road, which is now called Hesperian Boulevard. The area was known for its many farms. People also worked in shipping, moving goods across the bay. Another big industry was salt harvesting. This involved collecting salt from the bay's waters.
Many new people moved to Mt. Eden, especially from northern Germany and Denmark. This helped the population grow. The salt companies in the area slowly combined into larger ones. After 1931, only the Leslie Salt Company remained. Shipping goods by boat across the bay became less popular. This was because new roads and railroads offered easier ways to transport things.
The old center of Mt. Eden is now a busy freeway interchange. This is where Telegraph Road (Hesperian Boulevard) meets other roads like Depot Road and Jackson Street. Most of Mt. Eden became part of the City of Hayward in the late 1950s. Even after that, the Mt. Eden post office stayed open until 1984. Between 2003 and 2009, some smaller parts of Mt. Eden that were still separate also joined the City of Hayward.
Mt. Eden's Name Lives On
Even though Mt. Eden is no longer a separate town, its name is still used today. You can find the name "Mt. Eden" in several local places. These include Mt. Eden High School, Mt. Eden Cemetery, Mt. Eden Park, and the historic Mt. Eden Mansion. These names help keep the history of Mt. Eden alive in the community.
