I’ve gotten to know Hayward pretty well. Not because I’ve lived here my whole life, but because I made a conscious decision not to just be from Hayward but to be of Hayward. I’ve invested time learning about the people, the politics, the businesses, the schools—I’ve put down roots and gotten to know it because I love my hometown. And there’s a lot to love.
We get delicious water from the Hetch Hetchy reservoir—I may be a snob about it. We’re home to the US Boba Company, the first company outside of Taiwan to make boba. Our local pool has a bomb shelter, the graffiti along the San Lorenzo creek are works of art, we have two Japanese gardens and we invented cherry red paint. Hayward history is just as wild.
William Hayward used his position to literally move California highways to boost his business. Early residents stole a church from a local priest and rebuilt it as our first school. 1930’s cannery workers went on strike during one of the largest strike waves in U.S. history. Russell City, later incorporated into Hayward, was a mandatory stop for West Coast Blues artists. And residents in the 70’s fought against a highway expansion that would have decimated the ridgeline.
Today, we’ve got an incredible food scene ranging from Michelin-recognized Mexican, to Palestinian pizza, to every Asian food you can think of, plus old local spots that have been around for 50 years—or at least look like it. We’ve got a local art scene, championship-winning school sports teams, a top-tier parks and recreation district, and so much more that I’m discovering every time I walk out my door.
All of this is what makes me love my city. But like a lot of things 150 years old, it has rough spots, too. The Loop ruined our downtown, too many neighbors are unhoused, franchises are replacing independent shops and our school and city both have massive budget problems. But none of that changes how I feel about this city.
It’s been a lot of work to get to know Hayward so well—from its messy history to its equally messy present. I’ve read books and newspaper articles and talked to residents and watched meetings—so many meetings. But most people won’t try that hard to get to know the sixth largest city in the Bay Area; they shouldn’t have to.
Almost since it was founded, Hayward has had a local newspaper—it even had two for a while. But in 2016, the Daily Review was shut down and its downtown office was vacated. And with the East Bay Times focusing primarily on Oakland and farther afield, most residents know more about what’s happening in foreign countries than their own city.
That’s why I started the Hayward Herald. I want everyone who lives here to get to know the city I love so much, good and bad. So raise a glass with me to Hayward’s 150th birthday. May we make the next 150 years newsworthy.
Hayward will celebrate its 150th birthday on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 11, at City Hall Plaza. hayward-ca.gov
