San Leandro in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Tunnel No. 1 Control Shaft
Lake Chabot Historical Walk
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 3, 2014
1. Tunnel No. 1 Control Shaft Marker
The stone structure before you is a 157 foot vertical control shaft. It joins to Tunnel No. 1 to open and close the flow of water running through the tunnel pipes. Two known accidents took place at this site. Tunnel No. 1 collapsed on two Chinese workers in 1874 causing an uproar in the camp. In 1875, when water was forced down the control shaft to dislodge debris, four Chinese laborers were washed out of the tunnel. Although injured, the four survived.
San Leandro Plaindealer of 1874 described the bustling activities on this hill: “The glare of the forge, the ring of the smith’s hammer, the noise of the wheelwright’s saw, the hurrying to and fro of busy men, all going to make up a picture, to the visitor, exceedingly interesting, and giving him to understand that a grand site is being achieved there.”
The first superintendent, Frank Boardman, lived in a cottage on this knoll. Frank’s father, former Alameda County supervisor, William Boardman, was the dam’s chief engineer who created its many building diagrams. He drew the plans for the two water supply tunnels that run through this hill.
[Captions:]
In this photo taken in 1933, the tunnel shaft decorated with a conical roof stands behind former hill resident Beverly Wiseman. (center); Drawing of Tunnel No. 1 Control Shaft
this page online
Erected 2012 by East Bay Regional Park District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location. 37° 43.811′ N, 122° 7.435′ W. Marker is in San Leandro, California, in Alameda County. Marker can be reached from Estudillo Avenue. The one mile Lake Chabot Historical Walk begins at the parking lot at the end of Estudillo Avenue. This marker is about ¾ mile from the beginning of the trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1799 Estudillo Avenue, San Leandro CA 94577, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Zoo, a Monkey, and a Mansion Here Too! (a few steps from this marker); Yem-Po: Chinese Labor Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Taming the Waters’ Flow (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Of Fins and Flippers (about 700 feet away); Chabot Dam (approx. 0.2 miles away); Transporting the Water (approx. 0.2 miles away); To Build a Dam (approx. 0.2 miles away); Filtration Basins (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Leandro.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 3, 2014
2. Tunnel No. 1 Control Shaft and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 12, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 569 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on February 21, 2014, by Keith S Smith of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
