"Haywards" California Photographs
An interesting group of early Alameda County photographs related to an early resident of Hayward named John H. Boden. Included are photographs of Boden's custom brokers office in San Francisco. Boden lived in the town of Haywards, incorporated as the "Town of Haywards," the original name of Hayward. For further confusion the place was officially designated Haywood for a time since post offices could not be named after living persons (town founder William Dutton Hayward lived until 1891).
John H. Boden is listed as a ship and custom house broker in San Francisco directories for several years in the late 19th century, usually at 504 Battery St.
The photographs are as follows:
- Streetview of John H. Boden & Co., San Francisco. Possibly 504 Battery Street, SF. Also shows neighboring offices of commisison merchants and steamboat operators Swayne & Hoyt. Photo by Forester & Orr. 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 inches.
- Inside view of John H. Boden & Co. office, 409 Washington Street, San Francisco. Wall map visible in the background. Three men at their desks, including John H. Boden. Candlestick telephone, safe, wall clock, gas lights, ink wells, and the like. 6 x 8 1/2 inches.
- John H. Boden and family, outdoor group portrait in front of tent. About 15 people, including children. Haywards. Circa 1889. 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches.
- Outdoor view in rural site in Alameda. Circa 1880s. Cabinet card format, 4 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches. Shows a man posing on a horse with small child. A dog poses next to the horse. Ink inscription on verso of mount: "Pio Pico at Alameda (home of Crane - Boden later)." The man bears little resemblance to Pio Pico, the last Mexican governor of California, but could be a relative.
Rarity
19th-century Alameda photographs of identified people and places are uncommon.