That time San Francisco tried to annex Oakland, Berkeley and most of the Bay Area

Looking towards Lake Merritt along 14th Street from Oakland City Hall (1910s). Looking towards Lake Merritt along 14th Street from Oakland City Hall (1910s). Photo: OpenSFHistory / Hoodline Photo: OpenSFHistory / Hoodline Image 1 of / 77 Caption Close That time San Francisco tried to annex Oakland, Berkeley and most of the Bay Area 1 / 77 Back to Gallery

Read this article in its entirety on Hoodline.com.

More than a hundred years ago, municipalities across the country were like imperialistic colonial powers gobbling up land as fast as they could.

The Bay Area was no different.

Here's the story of when San Francisco attempted to annex its East Bay neighbors in 1912, and failed (obviously).

San Francisco Was Built In The Wrong Place

In all actuality, Oakland is where San Francisco should be. At least that's what Gray Brechin, a historical geographer and a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley, says.

Brechin told us that once the railroad was completed in 1869, San Francisco should have relocated eastward.

"Oakland is easier to get to," Brechin said. "The weather is better, it's flatter, and there is room to grow—plus, it has a great deep-water harbor."

But in the later decades of the 19th century, San Francisco had already established itself as the most powerful city in California, negating any desire to shift the seat of influence eastward, even if only by some 11 odd miles.

As it was, San Francisco cared less about Oakland, and more about New York City.

To read the rest of this story, and find out how San Francisco tried to emulate New York, go to Hoodline.com.