IN 1839, the Mexican government granted nearly 10,000 acres to Miguel Garcia and Jose Mesa at what is now Pittsburg. But Pittsburg was originally christened "New York of the Pacific," by Empire State native Colonel J.D. Stevenson.

Popularly called New York Landing, however, the spot thrived as a sleepy fishing and cannery town, and was also known as Black Diamond at the turn of the last century, for the coal mines located several miles south of town.

In 1906 the Columbia Geneva Steel mill opened, and the hopeful residents renamed themselves Pittsburg, after the eastern steel industry center, but minus the "H" for an easier spelling.

During World War II Camp Stoneman was created as a debarcation center for soldiers destined for the Pacific Theater. In 1954, Camp Stoneman closed, and the city added additional residential acreage. Over the past 15 years, Pittsburg has increasingly become a commuter community, with many of its residents making the daily trek via BART and freeway to Concord, Oakland and San Francisco.

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