August 24, 2022 | Issue # 16

Did you know if Unincorporated Almeda County was a city, it would be the 4^th most populous?

1. Oakland – 422,575

2. Fremont – 234,829

3. Hayward – 158,817

4. Unincorporated Alameda County – 149,986

*Source 2020 US Census Bureau

Ranking Largest to Smallest

Unincorporated Community Population

1. Castro Valley | 64,392

2. San Lorenzo | 30,117

3. Ashland | 23,566

4. Cherryland | 15,976

5. Fairview | 10,834

6. Hayward Acres | 4,266

7. Sunol | 835

Total 149,986

"Explore Unincorporated Alameda County"

we created videos highlighting great places to experience, unwind, dine, sip, play & visit! You'll also find fun facts you might not have known about our communities - Enjoy!

ASHLAND

In the 1930s, nurseries and greenhouses replaced most of the farms in the area.

Ashland developed in the 1940s. It was named for the Oregon ash tree that proliferated in the area

Ashland had its own automobile racetrack called the Oakland Speedway, situated where you can now find the Bayfair Mall.

Ashland was the original shop location for the famous motorcycle builder Arlen Ness. He opened in the early 1970's from his garage shop, to a storefront at

15997 E 14th Street.

CASTRO VALLEY

In 1866, Redwood School was built, the first public school in the area.

During the 1940s and 1950s, Castro Valley was known for its chicken ranches. 

SEVERAL notable professional sports players and one well-known TV anchor have come from Castro Valley including...

Sebastian Janikowski, Polish-born football placekicker for Oakland Raiders

Brian Keyser, Major League Baseball player

Nick Lima, professional soccer player

Kevin Maas, Major League Baseball player

Miranda Nild, soccer player for Thailand women's national team

Ed Sprague Jr., Major League Baseball player, 2-time World Series champ

Greg Tabor, Major League Baseball player

Casey Wellman, professional ice hockey player

Rachel Maddow, anchor and political analyst on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show 

CHERRYLAND

Cherryland was largely made up of pioneer William Meek's subdivided orchards (2,200 acres).

Meek was often called the "first farmer" of Alameda County. He sold his holdings in Oregon in 1859 and relocated to Alameda County. By 1869 the Meek Mansion was built.

"Cherryland" was the name of one large subdivision of Meek's farm by his third-generation heirs in 1911.

SAN LORENZO

The first post office opened in San Lorenzo in 1854.

San Lorenzo was an important center of fruit and flowers growers, from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century.

In 1944, under contract to the U.S. Navy. David D. Bohannon Company began construction of San Lorenzo Village, homes for workers in the East Bay's war industries. San Lorenzo Village was one of the nation's first planned communities, with parcels designated for schools, churches, parks, and several retail centers.

SUNOL & WINE COUNTRY

"Sunol" was changed to Sunolglen in 1871, however the name reverted to Sunol in 1920. The town's name is in honor of Antonio Suñol, first postmaster in nearby San Jose and part owner of the historical Rancho Valle de San Jose land grant that was once the site of the town.

The Sunol Water Temple is an unique Roman-inspired structure that marks the confluence of three sources of water that flow into the Sunol Valley.

A statue of Bosco, the dog elected mayor, sits in front of the Post Office. Bosco achieved a degree of international notoriety in 1990.

During the Gold Rush (1848), Robert Livermore's ranch became a popular "first day" stopping point for prospectors and businessmen leaving San Francisco or San Jose and headed for Sacramento. 

Carl H. Wente & James Concannon

founded the first wineries in the Livermore Valley in 1883.

Business Resources | We are here to help!

Sometimes our unincorporated community boundaries can be confusing. When opening or relocating a business it is important to verify your location.

Check out the Community Locator below!

New Introduction | Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber Executive Director

We are excited to introduce Gary Slate as the Executive Director for the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce. We look forward to working with Gary and the Chamber to assist the business community in the unincorporated areas of Alameda County!

Welcome Gary!

"I am honored and excited that I was selected as the new ED for the Chamber to help our businesses survive and thrive. I can’t wait to meet each of you and bring additional business tools, systems, and resources to help your businesses excel. I greatly look forward to being a liaison with the County resources and our business community, as our Chamber also rebuilds our team and further support after this pandemic."

-Gary Slate