Russell City, California
Encyclopedia
Russell City was an unincorporated community
in Alameda County
, California
, about 10 miles (16.1 km) south of Oakland
in present-day Hayward
. The land is at an elevation of 16 feet (5 m). The city was named after Frederick James Russell, who laid out the town in 1907. It existed from 1853 until 1964, when the last of the residents were forced out to make way for an industrial park, with such parks dominating the area to this day. During the time the residents fought removal under eminent domain
statutes, many of the buildings were destroyed by acts of arson.
The city was an arrival point for immigrants to the San Francisco Bay Area
. During and after World War II it had its largest growth period
, with significant numbers of African Americans moving there
from the South
. The city had a history of blues music, and this heritage is the basis for the annual Hayward/Russell City Blues Festival.
In 2001, the Calpine
energy corporation developed plans to build a power plant at the city's former location. This will place the plant on the border of both the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
and the Hayward Regional Shoreline
. The plant is expected to become the fifth largest, by emissions, in the Bay Area. The plant was on track for construction as of 2010.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in Alameda County
Alameda County, California
Alameda County is a county in the U.S. state of California. It occupies most of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 1,510,271, making it the 7th most populous county in the state...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, about 10 miles (16.1 km) south of Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
in present-day Hayward
Hayward, California
Hayward is a city located in the East Bay in Alameda County, California. With a population of 144,186, Hayward is the sixth largest city in the San Francisco Bay Area and the third largest in Alameda County. Hayward was ranked as the 37th most populous municipality in California. It is included in...
. The land is at an elevation of 16 feet (5 m). The city was named after Frederick James Russell, who laid out the town in 1907. It existed from 1853 until 1964, when the last of the residents were forced out to make way for an industrial park, with such parks dominating the area to this day. During the time the residents fought removal under eminent domain
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
statutes, many of the buildings were destroyed by acts of arson.
The city was an arrival point for immigrants to the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. During and after World War II it had its largest growth period
United States home front during World War II
This page, United States home front during World War II, covers the developments within the United States, 1940–1945, to support its efforts during World War II.-Economics:...
, with significant numbers of African Americans moving there
Second Great Migration (African American)
The Second Great Migration was the migration of more than 5 million African Americans from the South to the North, Midwest and West. It took place from 1941, through World War II, and lasted until 1970. It was much larger and of a different character than the first Great Migration...
from the South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
. The city had a history of blues music, and this heritage is the basis for the annual Hayward/Russell City Blues Festival.
In 2001, the Calpine
Calpine
Calpine Corporation is a Fortune 500 power company founded in 1984 in San Jose, California.Calpine's headquarters were permanently moved from San Jose to Houston, Texas in 2009. The company's stock was traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CPN until it was delisted on December 5,...
energy corporation developed plans to build a power plant at the city's former location. This will place the plant on the border of both the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a US National Wildlife Refuge located in the southern part of San Francisco Bay, California. The Refuge headquarters and visitor center is located in the Baylands district of Fremont, next to Coyote Hills Regional Park, in Alameda County. ...
and the Hayward Regional Shoreline
Hayward Regional Shoreline
Hayward Regional Shoreline is a regional park located on the shores of the San Francisco Bay in Hayward, California. It is part of the East Bay Regional Parks system. The park extends to the shores of San Lorenzo. Part of the park is former commercial salt flats purchased in 1996. A former...
. The plant is expected to become the fifth largest, by emissions, in the Bay Area. The plant was on track for construction as of 2010.