Decoto

 town, village, community, neighborhood, interesting place, historical layer / disappeared object, historic district

 Upload a photo

Decoto is a former settlement in Alameda County, California, now annexed to Union City. It was located 5 miles (8 km) north-northwest of downtown Newark.
In 1867, Ezra Decoto, a local landowner sold land to the railroad. A settlement grew up around the place. A post office operated in Decoto from 1871 to 1959, with a closure from 1872 to 1875.
In 1958, Decoto joined Alvarado to form Union City.
Decoto is shown on historical maps which show it north of Alameda Creek and in the flat land below the hills, on the railroad tracks. This corresponds to present day Union City.
Decoto Road in Union City, CA exists in the present day and the intersection of Decoto Road and Mission Blvd. in Union City appears to be approximately where the town or village of Decoto was located. Decoto is now separated by the Bart(Bay-Area-Rapid-Transit)
Decoto's Population is Largely Latino-Mostly Mexican. Starting in the 1930's and especially during World War 2 Mexican families began moving to Decoto Many where Braceros that came to work during the Labor shortages during the War years. Decoto's Population is still predominantly Latino but also has a wide Variety of other diverse ethnicities such as polynesians & other pacific islanders mostly consisting of Hawaiians & Chamorros, asians, caucasians, & Native americans.
During the Early 1970's the Chicano Movement was in full swing and Racial tensions were high in Decoto Between the Latino community and Police and the Local Union City Government. in April 1974 Alberto Terrones was shot and Killed during a Robbery by Union city Police Riots erupted in Decoto. To Calm tensions Union City Police Chief William Cann Came to speak at Our lady of Rosary Catholic Church in Decoto he was shot by a sniper and died a few months later. Decoto is a territory claimed by the Norteno gang specifically called the "Decoto Gang"of east side Union City . Many renowned Nortenos such as "Speedy Loc" and many other great Norteno rappers are from Decoto. the Decoto Gangs closest rival/counterpart claims the west side of Union City in an area known as "Old Alva" which is actually the historic town of downtown Alvarado. Once in awhile on streets closer to Mission you can see horses and cowboys from nearby ranches from the Union City hills trotting through Decoto. Residents of this tight knit community attend the New Haven Unified School District.