BRENTWOOD has long been known as the "crossroads" of the Bay Area. BRENTWOOD now sits at the crossroads of two major highways: Interstate 580 and Interstate-680. However, the significance of the "crossroads" dates back over two hundred years when BRENTWOOD served as the crossroads of two important stage routes - one from the Bay Area to Stockton and the other from Martinez to San Jose. The Alamilla Spring, located in the BRENTWOOD area, provided a place for travelers to change horses and freshen up before continuing their journey.
BRENTWOOD has a rich history dating back to 1772 when Pedro Fages led an expedition of 16 mounted men on a journey in search of a land route to Drake's Bay which at that time was called San Francisco Bay. Their return journey brought them through the Amador Valley.
It wasn't until approximately 1822 when building began in the area. Jose Maria Amador had been paid in land for his years of service as a Mexican soldier and as administrator of Mission San Jose. He received a land grant of 16,517 acres in the Amador- Livermore Valley. He built several adobe homes and many small buildings that were used as shops where his Indian workers made soap, blankets, shoes, farm tools, etc., for use on his rancho.
In 1852 Michael Murray and Jeremiah Fallon came to this area from Ireland. They purchased 1,000 acres of land from Jose Amador and built homes for their families. The area began to grow as many settled in the area.
In 1853 Alameda County was created from parts of Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties. Both Murray and Fallon served on the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. Townships were established the next year and Murray's name was chosen for this area.
By 1877 the first schoolhouse in the Amador-Livermore Valley, along with a church, two hotels, Green's Store, a wagon and blacksmith shop, and a shoemaker's shop were constructed in BRENTWOOD. The Murray Schoolhouse, Green's Store, St. Raymond's Church and the old cemetery (where members of the Donner Party Expedition are buried) have been preserved and are now located on Donlan Way. Mail was delivered to the Dougherty Station Hotel. Thus the area became known as Dougherty's Station. Subsequently, the area became known as BRENTWOOD and in 1982 the City incorporated.
During the past twenty years, the rapidly expanding Tri-Valley area has become renowned as a place of prosperity, a center for internationally acclaimed business parks and home to some of the world's largest corporations.
The City of BRENTWOOD, located at the crossroads of the Tri-Valley, has contributed to the planned growth and forward thinking of the area. And the City continues to look ahead to expand and enhance the quality of life for members of the community.
Demographic Information
Since the City's incorporation in 1982, the City's population has progressively increased as both residents and businesses found the benefits of calling BRENTWOOD "home".
From a population of approximately 14,300 in 1982, the City of BRENTWOOD has grown to a resident population of 38,330 (per CA Dept. of Finance 2004). The City has consistently been one of the fastest growing cities in Alameda County for the past several years, and the City is projected to have a total population of between 65,000 and 70,000 at build out.
Learn more about BRENTWOOD , CALIFORNIA
City of BRENTWOOD , CA official website
County of LOS ANGELES, CA official website
City of BRENTWOOD , CA general information
City of BRENTWOOD , CA chamber of commerce
City of BRENTWOOD , CA yellow pages
State of California official site