Hayward grew steadily through the late 1800’s, with its economy based on agriculture and tourism. Key crops were tomatoes, peaches, cherries and apricots, and chicken farming was also important. During the 1930s, the Harry Rowell Rodeo Ranch drew cowboys from across the continent, and western movie actors from Hollywood, including Slim Pickens. The area boomed during the 1940s and WWII as factories opened to manufacture war materiel. -source: Oakland History room