Special Train to Decoto

In 1907, Decoto was still a growing town. There were many lots in town that were open and used for purposes other than housing. That same year, was founded.

The Holcomb Realty company was the exclusive agent for a large number of lots in Decoto. In an effort to make the most of selling real estate in Decoto, the company organized an excursion train to Decoto to bring potential buyers from San Francisco and Oakland to review the lots.

On February 22, 1907, an eight car passenger train was chartered to carry 300 potential buyers to Decoto. A band was on the train to entertain the group on the trip south. The train trip was also designed to show how quick and easy it is to get from Oakland to Decoto and back. The trip was planned as "come rain or shine," and the rain did come. A newspaper report at the time called it a "drenching rainstorm."

The town consisted of 1,200 lots, most being designated for residences and some for commercial development. The residence lots were 50-feet by 100-feet and were sold as low as $100, with a down payment of $10. The rest was to be paid at five percent per month. One feature of the sales contract was that if the buyer died before the lot is fully paid, the rest of the loan would be forgiven and the heir would receive a clear title.

A ferry from San Francisco left at 9:20 a.m. The passengers arrived at the dock in Oakland where the rest of the buyers were waiting for the 10 a.m. train departure. The return train left Decoto at 5 p.m. The cost of a one-way fare gave the buyers a round-trip ticket. If a plot of land was purchased, then the cost of the train fare was subtracted from the cost of the lot.

When the train arrived in Decoto, the Ladies of Decoto were waiting and entertained the buyers at a luncheon and informal reception at Silva's Hall.

Decoto was described in the newspaper reports as such: "There are fine school and church facilities at Decoto and values will undoubtedly increase as the Western Pacific passes through the territory, the Southern Pacific already has a depot there and the Key Route electric road is also to erect a depot on the ground."

By the end of the day, it was reported that over 300 lots were sold. A rather remarkable achievement given the inclement weather and the number of buyers that arrived. A few days later, a commercial venture applied for a 10 day option on six blocks of property, between the two railroad tracks.

After the excursion, the Holcomb Realty company still advertised the Decoto lots with newspaper ads like this: "There will positively be an advance of 10 per cent in the price of all lots by April 1st. Put dollars in your pockets by buying now."