Castro Valley History Museum

 The area was originally inhabited by the Chochenyo-speaking Ohlone people, who lived in harmony with the land long before European settlers arrived. In 1797, Spanish missionaries established Mission San José, and the region became part of the Spanish colony of Alta California. 

 In 1840, Don Guillermo Castro, a Mexican soldier and ranchero, received a 28,000-acre land grant known as Rancho San Lorenzo, which included present-day Castro Valley, Hayward, and San Lorenzo. Unfortunately, Castro’s gambling debts forced him to sell off portions of his land, and by 1864, the last of it was auctioned off to Faxon Atherton, a wealthy businessman. Then Atherton sold his land to importance families who shaped our community.

 The late 19th century saw an influx of settlers, including Portuguese immigrants who farmed the fertile canyons like Palomares Canyon, where many families established farms that lasted generations. The Jensen brothers and others helped establish early infrastructure, including the Redwood School in 1866, the area’s first public school .  But the Rowell family has preserved cowboy way of life until present day.

 In the early 20th century, Castro Valley became known for its chicken ranches, earning a reputation as a poultry hub. But after World War II, the town transformed rapidly. Suburban housing replaced farmland, and developments like the Castro Village shopping center, which opened in 1950, marked a shift toward a more modern, commuter-oriented community. 

 After World War II, Castro Valley underwent a dramatic transformation—from a quiet agricultural town into a bustling suburban community. The postwar economic boom brought an influx of young families seeking homes outside the urban centers, and Castro Valley’s open land and central East Bay location made it an ideal spot for development .