Hayward’s History and Why We’re Proud to Serve the Hayward Community
For thousands of years the Ohlone and Yrgin peoples lived along the shores of what is now Hayward, building cone‑shaped homes and gathering shellfish and acorns. In 1843 the Mexican government granted Rancho San Lorenzo to Guillermo Castro, covering present‑day Castro Valley, Hayward and San Lorenzo.
Prospector William Hayward purchased land from Castro in 1852 and opened a general store and hotel at the crossroads of Mission Boulevard and A Street; his Haywards Hotel became a major stagecoach stop. The 1868 Hayward Fault earthquake destroyed most local buildings, but the community rebuilt and earned the nickname “Heart of the Garden of Eden” for its fertile orchards and gardens. The city incorporated in 1876.
After World War II the population exploded as farmland was developed into housing. By 1960 the population had risen to 72,000. Today Hayward has about 150,000 residents and is the sixth‑largest city in the Bay Area.
Hayward is known for its diversity, central location, thriving manufacturing sector and cultural institutions like the Japanese Gardens and the longest‑running Battle of the Bands contest. We’re proud to support Hayward’s vibrant community.