Oakland Heritage Alliance Walking Tours 2001

Join us and discover 16 different Oakland neighborhoods this summer!

OHA is pleased to announce its 21st annual Oakland Summer Walking Tours. Come explore the city¹s distinctive neighborhoods and learn about their history and architectural heritage.  16 different tours will be held on consecutive Saturdays and Sundays. These tours are based in part on the research of the Oakland Cultural Survey, a project of the City of Oakland Strategic Planning Division,  and the resources of the Oakland History Room, Oakland Main Library. No reservations are required; please meet promptly at the given times and locations. 

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, as some walks are hilly; for the afternoon tours, bring water. 

Donation:  $5 OHA members, $10 general. Sign up for membership or renewal and the tour will be free. In case of rain the tour will be canceled. For further information please call OHA (510) 763-9218.

Weekends in July and August 

Highlights include Oakland's waterways and environs this year with four tours; a focus on modern architecture around the east side of the Lake, a tour of the early designated historic Waterfront Warehouse District, a Lake Merritt estuary and channel walk (NEW!) and an exploration of the industrial and artist mix at 5th Avenue Point.

Two other new tours this year are an exploration of rehabilitation and housing in Victorian West Oakland, and the 1920's development of the Oakmore Neighborhood.

July

This tour focuses on downtown examples of modern architecture from Oakland's recent past.  Learn about materials, construction methods, detailing, and all the features that make modern architecture so grand.  This lengthy walk (4th to 17th Street) is the perfect opportunity to learn to love the buildings you used to hate!

Take a walk into the past in California's most historic cemetery to meet some of our state's early movers and shakers and the monuments that preserve their memory.  Charles Crocker, Domingo Ghirardelli, Samuel Merritt are among those you¹ll meet.  A hilly walk; wear comfortable shoes, bring water.

Saturday July 14, 10am-12pm
"Borax" Smith
Led by Phil Bellman
Meet at the redwood tree, corner of McKinley Ave. and Home Place East (one block off Park Blvd.)

Visit the remnants of Arbor Villa, Francis Marion "Borax" Smith¹s palatial estate. Smith founded an international Borax industry ("20-Mule Team Borax"), established the Key Route system, and became one of Oakland"s most famous, colorful entrepreneurs.  The tour visits the 9th Avenue palm trees, the Mary R. Smith Trust Cottages and several historic houses including ones by Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan.  A hilly walk; wear comfortable shoes.

This tour showcases this dynamic light industrial business and arts community where historic waterfront buildings are actively used by boat builders, artisans, artists, entrepreneurs and collectors.  Learn the area's history; its marine works date back to the time of the Alaska Packers fleet.  Bring water.


Saturday  July 21, 10am-12:30pm
Lake Merritt Modern
Led by Bill Coburn
Meet at the Lakeview Branch Library, 550 El Embarcadero, between Grand and Lakeshore avenues

This tour will look primarily at apartment houses and dwellings along the east shore of the lake with emphasis on the history and evolution of development on the shores of the lake.  Join the tour for lunch at Merritt Bakery at the end. Some hills, moderate hike at Cleveland Cascade possible.


Sunday July 22, 10am-12noon
Historic Pagoda Hill in Rockridge
Led by Annalee Allen and Fred Hertz
Meet at the corner of Chabot Road and College Avenue

Walk and learn about the vanished estates near the present-day Rockridge BART station.  This walk will acquaint you with a fine sampling of residential architecture from the 1870s on.  A visit to a private garden with refreshments will be included in the tour. The walk is short, but steep; wear comfortable shoes.


Saturday July 28, 10am-12:30pm
Brockhurst Street
Led by Bill Coburn & Madeline Wells
Meet at the Calou House, 3251 M.L.King

Substantially built up in the years around 1900, this distinguished West Oakland neighborhood of  intact period styles was home to Anne Brigman, Delilah Beasley, C.L. Dellums, and other giants of  Oakland history.    Focus  will be on  the area's history and the complex dynamics of neighborhood revitalization.

Sunday July 29, 10am-12:30pm
Rebuilding Oakland Point
Led by Betty Marvin, Ruth Knapp and Kathy Hirsch
Meet at Liberty Hall, 8th and Chester Streets

Oakland Point - Prescott, Lower Bottom - developed in the 1870s at the terminus of the transcontinental railroad as a socially and ethnically mixed neighborhood with a thriving business and civic center along 7th Street.  This tour looks at technical, economic, and ethical issues in rehabilitating the remarkable 19th century housing stock of this National Register-eligible neighborhood.

August

Saturday August 4, 1:30pm-4pm
Foothill/Seminary District
Led by Jane Powell
Meet at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Seminary Avenue at Tom's Chinese Kitchen

This slightly hilly walk visits the early 20th century commercial buildings (including the world's smallest storefront) as well as exploring the charming streets of Millbrae lined with bungalow, Tudor, Spanish Colonial, and other romantic revival style houses of the 20s and 30s.

Sunday August 5, 10am-12:30pm
Broadway Auto Row 
Led by Betty Marvin
Meet at 28th Street and Broadway, tip of the flatiron building

With the opening of the Chevrolet  plant in 1916, Oakland became "the Detroit of the West," and Upper Broadway was referred to as "Auto Row." Learn about the historic showrooms from the 1910s through 1940s, also the distinctive utilitarian brick and tile garages.  See how the City is helping to restore  and promote this area.

Saturday August 11, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Lakeshore/Trestle Glen
Led by Dean Yabuki
Meet at the Lakeview Branch Library, 550 El Embarcadero, between Grand and Lakeshore avenues

Walk from the Library through the SplashPad Park to Lakeshore shopping district, a lovely mix of commercial styles, 20s brick and deco tiles. The tour will include a  visit to Trestle Glen, legacy of the development boom in the 1910s and 20s,  conceived as a model community.

Sunday August 12, 10am-12noon
Fruitvale Commercial District
Led by Betty Marvin, Pamela Magnuson-Peddle, Raquel Contreras
Meet at the Fruitvale Hotel,  3221 San Leandro Street near Fruitvale Avenue

In the 1920s Fruitvale was Oakland¹s "second downtown," with its own skyscrapers, banking temples, lodges & courthouse.  A century of active development along International Boulevard can be read in the buildings, the multi-ethnic names, and the unique businesses.  Current facade improvement and Main Street programs are highlighting this heritage.  Stay for lunch!

Saturday August 18, 10am-12noon
Joaquin Miller Park and Cascades
Led by Helen Lore
Meet at Woodminster Theater entrance off Joaquin Miller Road; park in theater lot on Sanborn Drive.

Explore Joaquin Miller Park and learn it's history, including Woodminster Theater and the Cascades.  Emphasis will be on the life of poet Joaquin Miller, his home, The Abbey, and the monuments he constructed. A hilly walk; wear comfortable shoes.

Sunday August 19, 10am-12noon
Produce Market and the Waterfront Warehouse District
Led by Gary Knecht
Meet in front of the Oakland Grill, 3rd and Franklin streets

Explore the history and architecture of the Oakland Produce Market and nearby warehousing and industrial activities that developed adjacent to the Port of Oakland in the early 20th century.  Distinctive new construction complements a fine collection of early utilitarian buildings, some adapted as artists' studios, restaurants, offices, and lofts while others retain their original uses.

Saturday August 25, 10am-12:30pm
Oakmore District 
Led by Cynthia Haines

Meet in the parking lot next to Rocky's Market, 1440 Leimert Boulevard
Cross the Leimert Bridge over Dimond Canyon and enter Oakmore Highlands, a 150 acre residential home-park developed by Walter Leimert during the height of  the Depression.  Advertised as the "Kingdom of  Homes," this is where view and carline met.  A hilly walk, wear comfortable shoes.

Sunday August 26, 10am-12noon
Lake Merritt Estuary Channel
Led by Annalee Allen