GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND PLAN FOR THIS HISTORY OF DOGTOWN

Here you will find essays which don't quite fit into my plan of three separate "periods" of Dogtown (Cheltenham) history.

• A Thumb-nail sketch of Dogtown history and preview of coming attractions   In order than I may get this site up and running, hopefully then attracting some leads and information which will move me along more quickly, I provide the short 5 minute history, plus a few words about plans for what will follow.
• Issues related to the name "DOGTOWN."   Several essays here concern the origin of the name Dogtown, the earliest printed references and controversies about the name of the neighborhood and its boundaries, and the question of the Igorot role in Dogtown's naming.
• The writings of Louis Schmidt on this area.   Louis Schmidt was my first contact who had done much serious research on the Dogtown/Cheltenham and related areas. He has been very generous in sharing his research with me and on this page you will find a huge wealth of information from the various notes and essays which Louis has written.
• A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE OAKLAND AREA   This 1976 essay by Norbury L. Wayman deals with area that is roughly the same as I call Dogtown or Cheltenham. This short (14 page essay in the original) is accurate, interesting and useful.
• Without The Haitian Revolution  of 1791-1803 we might all being speaking French.   The French owned Louisianna in 1802 and Napoleon wanted to extend his power into the New World. Haiti was the richest colony in the Caribbean. Napoleon intended to make it the center piece of his empire, and gradually move EASTWARD from Louisianna to extend the French empire. Once the Haitians defeated him he despaired of the West and sold Louisianna for a song. Thanks to the Haitians Dogtowners speak English, even if, now and again, with an Irish lilt.