Hayward in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Agriculture Pioneer
Innovation and Prosperity
Between 1860 and the 1920s, the Meeks grew grains, green peas, corn, sugar beets, cucumbers, blackberries, and currants. Most of their land was in orchards of almonds, oranges, apricots, peaches, prunes, plums, and cherries. Meek’s land was profitable due to crop rotation and a good water supply. Meek cherries brought in as much as $10,000 in a single season.
Entre 1860 y los 1920s, los Meeks cultivaban granos, ejotes, maíz, remolachas azucareras, peipinos, zarzamoras y grosellas. La mayor parte de su terreno era huertos de almendras, naranjas, chabacanos, duraznos, ciruela pasas, ciruelas y cerezas. La propiedad Meek era lucrative debido a rotación de cultivos y una Buena presencia de agua. Las cerezas Meek traían tanto como $10,000 en una sola temporada.
Images:
1 Meek Estate Artist’s rendering of the Meek property, from the pages of an atlas, thought to be printed in 1887.
2 Legend Has It It is thought that the “Bing” cherry variety originated on the Meek farm, and was named after the Meek’s Chinese cook, who first used the cherries to make superb pies.
1 Meek Estate Representación del artista de la caracteristica de la propiedad de Meek, de las páginas de un atlas, se piensa que fue imprimido en 1887.
2 La leyenda le tiene Se piensa que la cereza “Bing” variedad que origin en la granja Meek, fue nombrada por el concinero chino de Meek, que primero utilizo las cerezas para hacer magnificas empenadas.
Erected by Hayward Area Recreation and Park District / Hayward Area Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Asian Americans • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.
Location. 37° 41.061′ N, 122° 6.811′ W. Marker is in Hayward, California, in Alameda County. Marker can be reached from Hampton Road near Boston Road. The resin marker is south of the house, in the rear. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 240 Hampton Road, Hayward CA 94541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Heart of the Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); Meek Estate (within shouting distance of this marker); Working Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); The Meek Mansion (within shouting distance of this marker); San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 0.9 miles away); The McConaghy Estate (approx. 1.1 miles away); Cannery Park (approx. 1½ miles away); Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition Campsite #98 (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hayward.
Also see . . . Meek Estate History. Hayward Area Historical Society website entry:
"William Meek, planner and builder of the Meek Mansion, was one of the first pioneers of commercial agriculture in Alameda County. From his arrival in 1859 to his death in 1880, Meek worked energetically to develop the fertile agricultural region lying in and around Eden Township."(Submitted on November 13, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on January 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 4, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2. submitted on November 13, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on January 15, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 13, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.