Hiker's Rest Being Torn Down - Hill Section Landmark for 50 Years - The Montclarion, circa Feb 21, 1955

Dorothy Longadin, author of the A Bit of History blog, sent me this clipping, which she got as part of an archive of the Montclarion from Chris Treadway. I'm sharing this with her permission. I've researched Hiker's Rest, because it's near where I live, and key to the history of the Oakland Hills, a subject that interests me a lot. Here's the article. Beyond it, I'll post a collection of newspaper clippings. I won't transcribe them all, but it will give you a sense of its history. Thank you, Dorothy and Chris. - MF

Hiker's Rest Being Torn Down - Hill Section Landmark for 50 Years

To the strains of "This Old House" pealing over a public address system, friends and neighbors gathered Sunday to say goodbye to Hiker's Rest, landmark of the Oakland hills for more than fifty years, now being torn down.

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 31 Aug 1886

The Wheel. 31 Aug 1886, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

A week ago last Sunday William Meeker and Frank James, First and Second Lieutenants of the Bay City Wheelmen, rode to San Jose and return in thirteen and a hall hours, their cyclometers showed a record of over 110 miles. Very little of such riding as this is seen out here, as it is too much hard work.

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Aug 1886

Do click the link for J. A. Hasley, of the Kansas City Wheelmen. They spelled it "Halsley," and I almost gave up looking for the name until I found the article linked below. It's worth a read. - MF

Bay City Wheelman 17 Aug 1886 17 Aug 1886, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

The Bay City Wheelmen had a club run to Haywards Sanday, leaving the city on the 9:15 o'clock boat, creek route. After a short run through Oakland they started for Haywards, reaching there about 12 o'clock. A fine dimer awaited the boys at the Hayward Hotel, which it is unnecessary to say they did justice to. This was the most numerously attended run of the season, having nearly forty men in line. They made a fine appearance as they rode through Oakland, attracting considerable attention. The residents of that silent town Haywards were also somewhat surprised at the large gathering of wheelmen. Leaving Haywards about 2:30 o'clock the 5 o'clock boat was easily made. The following wheelmen were guests of the club: W. C. Heavener and H. J. Toll of the Capital City Wheelmen, Sacramento; J. A. Hasley of the Kansas City Wheelmen; Harry Houseworth and B. C. Auster Jr. of the San Francisco Bicycle Club; D. W. Donnelly of the San Mateo Wheelmen; unattached - Fred Teller, Walter Teller, E. Ehrenfort, C. A. Biederman, Mr. Sheldon and T. Richardson. Of the club members the following were present: P. Haslett. Dan O'Callaghan, R. Tittle, C. C. Moore, E. Fahrback, F. D. Elwell, S. F. Booth Jr., L. Cole, R. A. Smyth, R. M. Welch, Harry C. Cummins, F. E. James, T. Thornberg, William Meeker, W. Whitson, R. Russ, C. E. Adcock, C. J. Shuster, R. W. Turner, F. E. Browning, S. Parsons, James Cox and G. W. Gilmore. Fred Russ Cook and Ed Mohrig of the Bay City Wheelmen have gone to Los Angeles for a week or so.

ON WHEELS. - A Great Day for California Bicycles - Winners of Races - The San Francisco Examiner, 10 Sep 1886

ON WHEELS. A Great Day for California Bicycles - Winners of Races. Oakland Ramblers 10 Sep 1886, Fri The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

ON WHEELS. 

A Great Day for California Bicyclists - Winners of Races. 

It was a great day for Coast wheelmen, and the programme which had been prepared for the celebration was carried out with marked success. The parade in the morning was probably the largest and most attractive of its kind ever seen in this city. Notwithstanding the heat, which made it very disagreeable for those who were to take part in the parade and tournament, over one hundred bicyclists, connected with the California division of the League of American Wheelmen, assembled promptly at 10 o'clock at Van Ness and Golden Gate avenues, from which point the start was made. The parade was under the charge of Robert M. Welch, Chief Consul of the division, and taking his place at the head of the line and giving the order to march the bicyclists proceeded up Van Ness avenue two blocks on foot before a place was found sufficiently smooth to allow the men to mount. After the mount was made the line moved on out the avenue to Pacific street, with a counter run to the starting point. The procession presented a very attractive appearance, as the many colored uniforms passed by one after the other and the finely polished machines glistened in the sunlight. The order of the procession was as follows: Chief Consul Welch, accompanied by Messrs. Donnelly, Olds, Radke, Mohrig, Haslett and Biederman as aids; the Bay City Wheelmen, numbering thirty-five members, under command of Captain O'Callahan: the San Francisco Bicycle Club, with twenty members, commanded by Captain Housewith; [Houseworth] the San Mateo Wheelman, numbering fourteen, under command of Captain Donnelly: the Oakland and Alameda clubs, under command of Lieutenant Meeker, the unattended wheelmen, thirty-five strong, from different points in this State and Oregon, brought up the rear, and the numerous kinds and varieties of bicycles and tricycles to be seen in this division attracted much attention.

A Bicycle Run. - Oakland Tribune, 11 May 1883

A Bicycle Run. 11 May 1883, Fri Oakland Tribune (Oakland, California) Newspapers.com

A Bicycle Run. 

The next club run of the Oakland Bicycle Club will be to San Jose on Saturday, May 19th, and the following day will be spent in and about the Garden City, the Club returning by train Sunday afternoon. Members desiring to ride the whole distance at a leisurely gait are at liberty to start as early as they choose, and will be overtaken by those starting later, but they are not to proceed beyond Milpitas until all participating arrive, so as to ride into San Jose together. Members unable to start in the morning can proceed to Milpitas by broad gauge train leaving San Francisco at 3 P. M. The start will be from the corner of Market and Thirteenth streets, Oakland, at 10 o'clock A. M. Necessary expenses of trip need not exceed $4, which includes return railroad fare from San Jose. Members of the Club are requested to appear in uniform, and new members who have not already procured uniforms are urged to do so at once.

CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS - Wilber J. Edwards, the San Jose Crackerjack, and Something of His Racing Record - The San Francisco Examiner, 09 Feb 1895

CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS Wilber J. Edwards, the San Jose Crackerjack, and Something of His ... 09 Feb 1895, Sat The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

CYCLING NEWS AND COMMENTS

Wilber J. Edwards, the San Jose Crackerjack, and Something of His Racing Record.

WANTS TO DO A MILE IN 1:30 TO-DAY.

The Quadruplet - Southern Men Coming Here to Race - Reliance Road Races - The Acme Wheelmen - Club Runs.

Wilber J. Edwards, the star rider of the Garden City cyclers, is pretty well known all over the Coast, but as yet no full history of his racing work has ever been printed. His first race was in 1890 at the field day of the University of the Pacific at San Jose. He won that race and in 1891 he won the race again. In 1892 Edwards got second in the mile State championship, riding against such mon ag Foster, Bell, Waller and Needham, who were crackerjacks at that time. This was on the old Alameda track, and Grant Bell finished in first position.

A BATCH OF BOOKS. - The Wheelmen's Handbook - Several New Novels. - Santa Cruz Surf, 21 Jul 1890

A BATCH OF BOOKS. The Wheelmen's Handbook - Several New Novels. 21 Jul 1890, Mon Santa Cruz Surf (Santa Cruz, California) Newspapers.com

A BATCH OF BOOKS. 

The Wheelmen's Handbook - Several New Novels. 

THROUGH THE COURTESY Of Ralph M. Thompson, Chief Consul of the League of American Wheelmen of the State of California, and also of Ed N. Radke, the accomplished wheelman of this city, copies have been received at this office of a very neat and useful “Hand Book of California Division, L. A. W., 1890," compiled by Ralph M. Thompson, Chief Consul. This is a very valuable compendium for wheelmen and a volume full of interest even for those who do not ride the silent steed. It is, moreover, plentifully illustrated with photogravures of prominent wheelmen, and with views taken at different tours and meets. Another feature is a large lithographed bird's eye view of California. Santa Cruzans may well take an added interest in this little book and in the organization which it represents, since the compiler and Chief Consul of the league is a son of a Santa Cruzan and spent his boyhood and youth in this city. We quote the following brief exposition of the objects of the league:

AMONG THE WHEELMEN. - Frank Fuller Has Returned From the East - Entries for the Meet at Dixon. - The San Francisco Call, 02 Mar 1897

AMONG THE WHEELMEN Frank W. Fuller in favor of establishment of a Western League 02 Mar 1897, Tue The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

AMONG THE WHEELMEN.

Frank Fuller Has Returned From the East - Entries for the Meet at Dixon. 

Frank W. Fuller of the Olympic Club Wheelmen, who attended the National Assembly of the League of American Wheelmen in company with the California delegates, R. M. Welch and F. H. Kerrigan, returned from the East yesterday. He was hearty in his confirmation of everything said by Mr. Welch in the interview with him published in THE CALL last Monday week. He said that no consideration whatever had been shown the Californians or the delegates from the other States who desired divisional option on Sunday racing. Mr. Fuller is very much in favor of the establishment of a Western league, and says California had better hurry up or it will lose the honor of having taken the initiative, as both Illinois and Louisiana are already taking steps in that direction.

SOUR, SELFISH AND NARROW - Attitude of Eastern Wheelmen Toward Western Brethren. - The San Francisco Call, 23 Feb 1897

SOUR, SELFISH AND NARROW Attitude of Eastern Wheelmen Toward Western Brethren. 23 Feb 1897, Tue The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

SOUR, SELFISH AND NARROW

Attitude of Eastern Wheelmen Toward Western Brethren.

Return of R. M. Welch From the National L. A. W. Assembly

What He Thinks and What He Says of the Delegates He Met.

Robert M. Welch, a member of the National racing board of the League of American Wheelmen and one of the delegates from the North California division to the National assembly of the league recently held at Albany, N. Y., returned last evening. He was met at the Sixteenth-street station, Oakland, by a number of his friends prominent in local wheeling interests, and representatives from the different papers.

'Cyclistic. - W. E. Nachtrieb - San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Jan 1885

Cyclistic W. E. Nachtrieb 20 Jan 1885, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

'Cyclistic.

The Oakland Club will take a more active part in the sport during the coming season. The roads on the other side of the bay are in excellent order.

At the semi-annual meeting of the Bay City Wheelmen the following were elected officers for the ensuing term: President, E. Mohrig; Vice-President S.F. Booth Jr.; Secretary, Thomas L. Hill; Treasurer, W. E. Nachtrieb; Captain, F.R. Cook; First-Lieutenant, Charles L. Davis; [Clarence L. Davis] Second-Lieutenant, H. Houseworth; Butler, W. F. Sperbeck.

Carl Kron's "Ten Thousand Miles on a Bicycle" will probably appear in March.

William Woodside wants to ride John S. Prince five races at tbe following distances: Ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five and fifty miles for $500 a side and the title of champion of America, the winner of three out of the five races to take the stake and the title.

Fred D. Owen of Washington, D. C., has applied for a patent on a new crank bicycle which is to have its handle-bar behind the rider, the handles bending around to within easy reach.

Professional bicyclists, as a rule are not modest men. But Tom Eck is the exception in this case. He Is desirous of being known as the father of bicycling in America.

HOW TO TRAIN FOR A CYCLE RACE. - "Tom" Eck's Advice to Amateurs Looking for Championship Laurels. - The New York Times, 14 Jan 1894

See also What did bicycle riders in the 1890s drink? Not much. And weird things. - MF

HOW TO TRAIN FOR A CYCLE RACE. "Tom" Eck's Advice to Amateurs Looking for Championship Laurels. 14 Jan 1894, Sun The New York Times (New York, New York) Newspapers.com

HOW TO TRAIN FOR A CYCLE RACE.

"Tom" Eck's Advice to Amateurs Looking for Championship Laurels.

"Tom" Eck, the veteran bicycle rider, who is known from Maine to California in connection with the wheel, is perhaps, the foremost trainer of bicycle riders in the country. He had charge of John Johnson of record-breaking fame all last season, and to Eck's advice and clever handling the young rider attributes much of his success. On the question of training. In a long letter to The American Wheelman, Eck says:

'Cyclistic. - San Francisco Chronicle, 10 Jun 1884

'Cyclistic. 10 Jun 1884, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

'Cyclistic. 

While Sunday's rain was to many an unpleasant dampener, to the wheelmen it was most welcome. The roads, which were becoming dusty and heavy, will now in a day or two become quite fine and smooth.

The State Wheelmen. - San Francisco Chronicle, 20 Feb 1886

members of League of American Wheelmen form California division at Bay City Wheelmen rooms 20 Feb 1886, Sat San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The State Wheelmen. 

The members of the League of American Wheelmen met Thursday night at the clubrooms of the Bay City Wheelmen to form a State division of the league and elect officers. The names put in nomination for the office of Chief Consul were Edward [Edwin] Mohrig and R. M. Welch. The latter was elected. T. E. Haslett [P. E. Haslett] of Alameda was elected Secretary Treasurer. A committee of five, composed of the following gentlemen: T. L. Hill, E. Moore, F. R. Cook, F. E. Walsh and M. A. Bley, was elected to draft by-laws and regulations for the State division.

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Feb 1886

The Wheel. 16 Feb 1886, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

The following circular has been sent to the members of the League of American Wheelmen by a committee of the Bay City Wheelmen:

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 09 Feb 1886

The Wheel. 09 Feb 1886, Tue San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

The Bay City Wheelmen were never in a more flourishing condition. Applications for membership are being received at every meeting

The Wheel. - San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Mar 1887

The Wheel. 21 Mar 1887, Mon San Francisco Chronicle (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

The Wheel. 

[Official Organ L. A. W.] 

CHIEF Consul, Robert M. Welch; Representatives, O. C. Smith, C. A. Biederman, S. F. Booth Jr., W. W. Haralson; Secretary and Treasurer, P. E. Haslett. 

The terms of all local consuls having expired on the 1st of March, the Chief Consul has made the following appointments for 1887-8. The arrangement as below is in the order of the several representative districts: E. S. M. Judson, Los Angeles; George H. Frost, Pasadena: Edwin Mohrig, San Francisco; D. W. Donnely, San Mateo: C. J. Kryster, Oakland: P. E. Haslett, Alameda; George A. Morrill, Livermore; R. G. Bailey, San Jose; E. N. Radke, Santa Cruz: Benjamin B. Lyon, Stockton: John Breuner Jr., Sacramento; S. S Simon, Oroville.

LONG RIDE ON BIKES. - Women and Children Who Rode All the Way on Their Wheels to Santa Barbara. - The San Francisco Call, 03 Jul 1895

LONG RIDE ON BIKES. Women and Children Who Rode All the Way on Their Wheels to Santa Barbara. 03 Jul 1895, Wed The San Francisco Call (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

LONG RIDE ON BIKES. 

Women and Children Who Rode All the Way on Their Wheels to Santa Barbara. 

The longest cycle ride ever accomplished by women in this State was that in a run from this City to Santa Barbara. The distance traveled was 3872 miles. Two weeks ago last Sunday a party consisting of Edwin Mohrig and wife, Arthur Mohrig, aged 10 years, Eddie Mohrig, aged 12 years, Mrs. R. Holmes and George A. Morrill left this City for the long ride. The ladies wore the rational cycling costume and the men wore the most comfortable of cycling dress. The trip was made by easy stages, the party resting every night at some city or town along the route. The places where they rested were: San Jose, Salinas, King City, Jolon, Paso Robles, Santa Margarita, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Cold Springs and Santa Barbara. 

CYCLING UP TO DATE. - Two Local Riders Make the First Century of the Year. - The San Francisco Examiner, 30 Jan 1895

It was a tradition to try to be the first bicyclist to ride a century in the new year. I don't know why it was significant, but it obviously made the paper. Perhaps it was that new year; new chances, new luck, new records kind of feeling. It held some prestige. California in January can be wet and muddy. Roads in 1895 were primarily dirt, primarily used by horse and foot traffic, and as we can see below, riding in those conditions can be hard and messy. This article also describes the launch of the San Francisco Bicycle Track Association, which was to manage the bicycle track at Central Park, a shared resource among member clubs.  - MF

CYCLING UP TO DATE. Two Local Riders Make the First Century of the Year. 30 Jan 1895, Wed The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco, California) Newspapers.com

CYCLING UP TO DATE 

Two Local Riders Make the First Century of the Year. 

John S. Eagan [Egan] and George J. Panario of the Imperial Cycling Club are the first wheelmen in Northern California, if not for the whole West, to ride 100 miles in one day.