Samuel Merritt

Dr. Samuel Merritt (1822–1890) was a San Francisco physician and also the 13th mayor of Oakland, California, from 1867–69.

Samuel Merritt University seal
Samuel Merritt
13th Mayor of Oakland
In office
November 3, 1867  February 18, 1869
Preceded byWilliam Watrus Crane, Jr.
Succeeded byJohn B. Felton

Merritt was originally from Maine and moved to California. He bought land in what is now the city of Oakland in 1852 and moved there in 1863.

In 1867, he donated 155 acres (627,000 m2) of dammed tidal water from the headwaters of Indian Slough, which became known first as "Merritt's Lake" and later known as Lake Merritt.

He left plans for a hospital and nursing school to be built in his name after his death. In 1909, Samuel Merritt University and Merritt Hospital opened. He is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland.

Political offices
Preceded by
William Watrus Crane, Jr.
13th Mayor of Oakland
November 3, 1867-February 18, 1869
Succeeded by
John B. Felton
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