transformation

Looking across the Cut with the Richland bridge spanning over 235 feet across, it is hard to imagine these as contiguous rolling hills. The landscape has been transformed by man and by time.

During the Mexican-Californian Era between 1823-1848 land grants were available to promote settlement in the underpopulated area. The land to the West was known as Rancho San Miguel, a cattle ranch and fruit orchard. This ranch, owned by Jose de Jesus Noe, was 4443 acres, about 1/6th the size of all of Yerba Buena (as San Francisco was known until 1848). Noe was not only a rancher but he held important posts in the city, eventually becoming alcade, a rough equivalent to mayor.  California was admitted for statehood to the United States on September 9, 1850.

The grasslands of Yerba Buena were transformed by the hundreds of heads of cattle, native clump grasses were replaced by European grasses, then by houses. The valleys were enlarged dramatically for traffic, commerce, opportunity, safety and change.  The air invisibly filled with Carbon Dioxide, particulates from tires and exhaust.

Now we plant trees, restore native habitat and remember the transformation.