Visit Fruitvale’s “below the tracks” neighborhood of mills, factories and working people’s houses. The early economy centered on the California Cotton Mills and canneries. By the 1910s the neighborhood had a strong Portuguese community, anchored by Mary Help of Christians Church. The Nimitz Freeway cut the neighborhood (and the Cotton Mills) in half in the 1950s. Industrial zoning eroded the neighborhood, but gave birth to neighborhood activism in the 1970s. A level walk —Pamela Magnuson Peddle & Kathleen DiGiovanni
Meeting Location: Mary Help of Christians Church, 2605 E. 9th St., between 26th and 27th Aves., inland side of 880 freeway
Tour Guides: Pamela Magnuson Peddle & Kathleen DiGiovanni
Accessibility Note: Easy; a level walk.
NOTES:
PLEASE MEET 15 MINUTES BEFORE listed time to allow for registration.
We kindly request you register in advance. In-person registration will be first-come-first-served on a space available basis. We cannot guarantee a spot will be available.
We offer fee waivers for limited income residents— just ask!
Comfortable walking shoes, sun hats and sunscreen are recommended. Bring water.
Vouchers, limited-income accommodation, and any other special circumstances should be handled in advance. Please email info@oaklandheritage.org for assistance
Check your email the morning of the walking tour for any last-minute changes, clarifications, or cancellation.
If you need assistance navigating Humanitix, please reach out to us at info@oaklandheritage.org or call our office at (510) 763-9218 and we’d be happy to help.
Due to the ongoing presence of Covid, please continue to be vigilant to keep our community safe. If you feel ill the day of a tour, please stay home. If after a tour, you become ill and test positive, please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you.
These tours support Oakland Heritage Alliance, a non-profit that tells Oakland’s story through walking tours, lectures, newsletters and advocacy. We welcome volunteers and new members!