All,
You may be interested in the up-coming OAKLAND HERITAGE ALLIANCE SUMMER WALKING TOURS (full disclosure: I am the executive director of OHA). The schedule (below) features some of Oakland's really fascinating urban landscapes. On-site, day-of admission is $10 for OHA members and $15 for general admission...however, if you are willing to volunteer as a tour docent, tour admission is FREE! (If you are interested in volunteering, let me know and I can provide details).
Saturday, July 6, 10 am–1:30 pm
THE LEGACY OF “POET OF THE SIERRAS” JOAQUIN MILLER
• Joaquin Miller Park Ranger Station, 3590 Sanborn Drive
• Tour Leader: Linda Brown
Explore the legacy of “Poet of the Sierras” Joaquin Miller on a 3.5-hour tour of the Woodminster area and Monument Loop Trail. Along the way, learn about the role of legendary writers like Jack London and poet/librarian Ina Coolbrith, plus the contributions of later poets, government officials, architects, and workers who made Miller’s dream today’s reality. A hilly walk.
THE LEGACY OF “POET OF THE SIERRAS” JOAQUIN MILLER
• Joaquin Miller Park Ranger Station, 3590 Sanborn Drive
• Tour Leader: Linda Brown
Explore the legacy of “Poet of the Sierras” Joaquin Miller on a 3.5-hour tour of the Woodminster area and Monument Loop Trail. Along the way, learn about the role of legendary writers like Jack London and poet/librarian Ina Coolbrith, plus the contributions of later poets, government officials, architects, and workers who made Miller’s dream today’s reality. A hilly walk.
Sunday,
July 7, 10 am–1 pm
MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY
• Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave.
• Tour Leader: Dennis Evanosky
Walk into the past in California’s most historic cemetery to meet some of our state’s early movers and shakers along with the monuments that preserve their memory. Charles Crocker, Domingo Ghirardelli and Samuel Merritt are among those you will encounter. A hilly walk.
MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY
• Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Ave.
• Tour Leader: Dennis Evanosky
Walk into the past in California’s most historic cemetery to meet some of our state’s early movers and shakers along with the monuments that preserve their memory. Charles Crocker, Domingo Ghirardelli and Samuel Merritt are among those you will encounter. A hilly walk.
Saturday,
July 13, 10 am–12:30 pm
F. M. “BORAX” SMITH ESTATE
• Redwood tree, corner of McKinley Avenue and Home Place East (1 block off Park Boulevard)
• Tour Leader: Phil Bellman
Visit the site of Arbor Villa, Francis Marion “Borax” Smith’s palatial estate. Smith founded an international industry (“20-Mule Team Borax”), established the Key Route System, and became one of Oakland’s most famous, colorful entrepreneurs. The tour visits the site of Oak Hall, the 9th Ave. palm trees, the Mary R. Smith Cottages and other historic houses, including ones designed by Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan. A 2-mile, hilly walk.
F. M. “BORAX” SMITH ESTATE
• Redwood tree, corner of McKinley Avenue and Home Place East (1 block off Park Boulevard)
• Tour Leader: Phil Bellman
Visit the site of Arbor Villa, Francis Marion “Borax” Smith’s palatial estate. Smith founded an international industry (“20-Mule Team Borax”), established the Key Route System, and became one of Oakland’s most famous, colorful entrepreneurs. The tour visits the site of Oak Hall, the 9th Ave. palm trees, the Mary R. Smith Cottages and other historic houses, including ones designed by Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan. A 2-mile, hilly walk.
Sunday,
July 14, 12:30–3 pm
TILES AND TERRA COTTA IN UPTOWN OAKLAND
• Southeast corner of 17th & Webster Streets (at the Howden Building)
• Tour Leader Riley Doty
We will focus on twenty buildings dating from an era when many downtown facades were surfaced with architectural ceramics. Styles changed from 1908 to 1931 including, in the later years, the introduction of brightly colored glazes. The nature of this medium will be examined, its unique beauty highlighted, and its needs for preservation and restoration explored. From 3:00 – 3:30 there will be an optional tour of the interior of the Howden Building, with a chance to view historic photos. A level walk.
TILES AND TERRA COTTA IN UPTOWN OAKLAND
• Southeast corner of 17th & Webster Streets (at the Howden Building)
• Tour Leader Riley Doty
We will focus on twenty buildings dating from an era when many downtown facades were surfaced with architectural ceramics. Styles changed from 1908 to 1931 including, in the later years, the introduction of brightly colored glazes. The nature of this medium will be examined, its unique beauty highlighted, and its needs for preservation and restoration explored. From 3:00 – 3:30 there will be an optional tour of the interior of the Howden Building, with a chance to view historic photos. A level walk.
Saturday,
July 20, 10 am–1 pm
SEVENTH STREET AND THE PRESCOTTS
• West Oakland BART Station, 7th and Chester Streets at the blue poles
• Tour Leader: Betty Marvin
Only scattered scraps remain of a business district that once rivaled downtown. Travelers, railroad workers, and a world of diverse neighborhood residents gave West Seventh Street a distinctive character pulsing with entertainment, commerce, and vice. The West Oakland Specific Plan identifies Seventh Street as an “opportunity area.” We will consider prospects for rehabilitation, infill, and commemoration as we explore the traces of Seventh Street and dip into the adjoining Prescott and South Prescott neighborhoods whose downtown it was. A level walk.
SEVENTH STREET AND THE PRESCOTTS
• West Oakland BART Station, 7th and Chester Streets at the blue poles
• Tour Leader: Betty Marvin
Only scattered scraps remain of a business district that once rivaled downtown. Travelers, railroad workers, and a world of diverse neighborhood residents gave West Seventh Street a distinctive character pulsing with entertainment, commerce, and vice. The West Oakland Specific Plan identifies Seventh Street as an “opportunity area.” We will consider prospects for rehabilitation, infill, and commemoration as we explore the traces of Seventh Street and dip into the adjoining Prescott and South Prescott neighborhoods whose downtown it was. A level walk.
Sunday,
July 21, 10 am–1 pm
DIMOND
• Meet at the adobe Boy Scout Hut in Dimond Park. Enter the park at the end of Dimond Ave. where it borders the park. You’ll see the Scout Hut just beyond the redwood grove.
• Tour Leader: Dennis Evanosky
This walk introduces the characters who shaped the district’s early history. We’ll meet, among others, the Dimond, Hopkins, and Rhoda families. We’ll also learn about the German community with their Altenheim on the heights and beer gardens below. This 3-hour walk includes a stroll along Sausal Creek as well as stories about the district’s horse-drawn streetcars and the resort that the neighbors sent packing.
DIMOND
• Meet at the adobe Boy Scout Hut in Dimond Park. Enter the park at the end of Dimond Ave. where it borders the park. You’ll see the Scout Hut just beyond the redwood grove.
• Tour Leader: Dennis Evanosky
This walk introduces the characters who shaped the district’s early history. We’ll meet, among others, the Dimond, Hopkins, and Rhoda families. We’ll also learn about the German community with their Altenheim on the heights and beer gardens below. This 3-hour walk includes a stroll along Sausal Creek as well as stories about the district’s horse-drawn streetcars and the resort that the neighbors sent packing.
Saturday,
July 27, 10 am-12:30 pm
KEY EVENTS IN THE EAST BAY HILLS
• Meet at the southwest corner of Moraga Avenue and Thornhill Drive
• Tour Leader: Stuart Sweidler
The route of the Sacramento Northern Railroad created a unique transportation corridor connecting Contra Costa County to Alameda County during a period of rapid growth in the early to mid-20th century. Explore the route with Stuart Sweidler and learn about the everyday life and major events that shaped the development of the East Bay hills, including the introduction of electricity, water, parks, roads and bridges, building construction, new agricultural products, education, manufacturing, transportation and ultimately the preparation and execution of war.
KEY EVENTS IN THE EAST BAY HILLS
• Meet at the southwest corner of Moraga Avenue and Thornhill Drive
• Tour Leader: Stuart Sweidler
The route of the Sacramento Northern Railroad created a unique transportation corridor connecting Contra Costa County to Alameda County during a period of rapid growth in the early to mid-20th century. Explore the route with Stuart Sweidler and learn about the everyday life and major events that shaped the development of the East Bay hills, including the introduction of electricity, water, parks, roads and bridges, building construction, new agricultural products, education, manufacturing, transportation and ultimately the preparation and execution of war.
Sunday, July 28, 10 am-12:30 pm
ADAMS POINT PERAMBULATION
• Meet at the corner of Bay Place and Vernon Street in front of the Whole Foods Market
• Tour Leader: Naomi Schiff
Adams Point's eclectic residential neighborhood includes Victorian, Craftsman and Prairie Style residences, Earl Warren's house, 20th century apartment buildings, and Grand Avenue's playful mosaic trash containers, crafted by artistic locals.This moderately hilly stroll features a Julia Morgan house on Lee Street, a vintage hitching post, and the Bellevue Club.
ADAMS POINT PERAMBULATION
• Meet at the corner of Bay Place and Vernon Street in front of the Whole Foods Market
• Tour Leader: Naomi Schiff
Adams Point's eclectic residential neighborhood includes Victorian, Craftsman and Prairie Style residences, Earl Warren's house, 20th century apartment buildings, and Grand Avenue's playful mosaic trash containers, crafted by artistic locals.This moderately hilly stroll features a Julia Morgan house on Lee Street, a vintage hitching post, and the Bellevue Club.
Saturday,
August 3, 10 am–1 pm
BUTTERS CANYON
• Butters Drive and Joaquin Miller Road
• Tour Leader: Dennis Evanosky
Join us in Butters Canyon on an exploration of the headwaters of Peralta Creek. We’ll learn the history of the creek which the Peraltas, the East Bay’s first European settlers, called home. This moderately difficult hike will take a close look at the geology of the surrounding Oakland Hills and other nearby watersheds that played a role in Oakland’s history. We’ll also get a close-up view of the Butters Canyon Conservancy. A hilly walk.
BUTTERS CANYON
• Butters Drive and Joaquin Miller Road
• Tour Leader: Dennis Evanosky
Join us in Butters Canyon on an exploration of the headwaters of Peralta Creek. We’ll learn the history of the creek which the Peraltas, the East Bay’s first European settlers, called home. This moderately difficult hike will take a close look at the geology of the surrounding Oakland Hills and other nearby watersheds that played a role in Oakland’s history. We’ll also get a close-up view of the Butters Canyon Conservancy. A hilly walk.
Sunday,
August 4, 10 am–1 pm
FRUITVALE, THE SECOND DOWNTOWN
• Fruitvale BART station
• Tour Leaders: Pamela Magnuson Peddle & Betty Marvin
Named for its orchards, Fruitvale began as a garden suburb with fabulous mansions and its own industrial district below the tracks. Street railways in the 1890s, the 1906 earthquake, and annexation in 1909 soon made it Oakland’s “second downtown.” Explore the cultural mix that defines Fruitvale today through its buildings, people, and food.
FRUITVALE, THE SECOND DOWNTOWN
• Fruitvale BART station
• Tour Leaders: Pamela Magnuson Peddle & Betty Marvin
Named for its orchards, Fruitvale began as a garden suburb with fabulous mansions and its own industrial district below the tracks. Street railways in the 1890s, the 1906 earthquake, and annexation in 1909 soon made it Oakland’s “second downtown.” Explore the cultural mix that defines Fruitvale today through its buildings, people, and food.
Saturday,
August 10, 1:30 pm–3:30 pm
FERNWOOD
• In front of the Montclair Branch Public Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd. (near Thornhill Dr.)
• Tour Leader: Kathleen DiGiovanni
Texas Ranger Jack Hays settled alongthe banks of Temescal Creek in 1852 and called his home “Fernwood.” Oaklanders have been attracted to this park-like enclave of hills and ravines ever since. This walk explores Fernwood from its earliest settlement to development in the 1920s as Oakland’s forested suburb. If you enjoyed OHA’s Ferwood House Tour a few years ago and want to know more, this walk is for you. No sidewalks, wear comfortable shoes.
FERNWOOD
• In front of the Montclair Branch Public Library, 1687 Mountain Blvd. (near Thornhill Dr.)
• Tour Leader: Kathleen DiGiovanni
Texas Ranger Jack Hays settled alongthe banks of Temescal Creek in 1852 and called his home “Fernwood.” Oaklanders have been attracted to this park-like enclave of hills and ravines ever since. This walk explores Fernwood from its earliest settlement to development in the 1920s as Oakland’s forested suburb. If you enjoyed OHA’s Ferwood House Tour a few years ago and want to know more, this walk is for you. No sidewalks, wear comfortable shoes.
Sunday, August 11
TBD
TBD
Saturday,
August 17, 10 am-12:30 pm
FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED’S TREES OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
• Meet location is Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue
• Tour Leader: Chris Pattillo
Join landscape architect Chris Pattillo and explore the more than 80 species of trees at Mountain View Cemetery. The park-like setting was designed in 1865 by “the father of landscape architecture,” Frederick Law Olmsted. Learn about the original Cypress, Pine, Cedar and Oaks that Olmsted intended for Mountain View, as well as exotic Monkey Puzzle, Weeping Willow, Copper Beech and Flowering Cherry trees featured in the landscape today.
FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED’S TREES OF MOUNTAIN VIEW
• Meet location is Chapel of the Chimes, 4499 Piedmont Avenue
• Tour Leader: Chris Pattillo
Join landscape architect Chris Pattillo and explore the more than 80 species of trees at Mountain View Cemetery. The park-like setting was designed in 1865 by “the father of landscape architecture,” Frederick Law Olmsted. Learn about the original Cypress, Pine, Cedar and Oaks that Olmsted intended for Mountain View, as well as exotic Monkey Puzzle, Weeping Willow, Copper Beech and Flowering Cherry trees featured in the landscape today.
Sunday,
August 18, 10 am-12:30 pm
REDEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN
• Fountain of Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 388 9th Street, between Webster and Franklin Streets. Fee parking under Pacific Renaissance Plaza
• Tour Leaders: Jeff Chew & Annalee Allen
Projects such as Old Oakland, Pacific Renaissance, City Center, City Hall Plaza, the Rotunda and the Fox Theater all helped eliminate blight and create new investment and energy in the downtown. We will visit these projects and others to see how they transformed Oakland and envision what future projects might be accomplished.
REDEVELOPMENT AND REVITALIZATION OF DOWNTOWN
• Fountain of Pacific Renaissance Plaza, 388 9th Street, between Webster and Franklin Streets. Fee parking under Pacific Renaissance Plaza
• Tour Leaders: Jeff Chew & Annalee Allen
Projects such as Old Oakland, Pacific Renaissance, City Center, City Hall Plaza, the Rotunda and the Fox Theater all helped eliminate blight and create new investment and energy in the downtown. We will visit these projects and others to see how they transformed Oakland and envision what future projects might be accomplished.
Saturday,
August 24, 10 am–12:30 pm
OAKLAND’S AIRPORT/NORTH FIELD
• Business Jet Center, 9351 Earhart Rd. (west on Hegenberger Rd. from 880, cross Doolittle. Immediately turn right on Earhart) Park in lot across from the building; assemble under the trees.
• Tour Leader: Woody Minor
Old Oakland Airport (North Field) was dedicated by Charles Lindbergh and often visited by Amelia Earhart. One of the nation’s most historic aviation sites, its original facilities–five hangers, an administration building, and a hotel, built between 1927 and 1929–are largely intact. Afterwards you may wish to visit the Western Aerospace Museum (Adults $9, Seniors $8, Children 6-12 $5).
OAKLAND’S AIRPORT/NORTH FIELD
• Business Jet Center, 9351 Earhart Rd. (west on Hegenberger Rd. from 880, cross Doolittle. Immediately turn right on Earhart) Park in lot across from the building; assemble under the trees.
• Tour Leader: Woody Minor
Old Oakland Airport (North Field) was dedicated by Charles Lindbergh and often visited by Amelia Earhart. One of the nation’s most historic aviation sites, its original facilities–five hangers, an administration building, and a hotel, built between 1927 and 1929–are largely intact. Afterwards you may wish to visit the Western Aerospace Museum (Adults $9, Seniors $8, Children 6-12 $5).
Sunday,
August 25
TBD
TBD
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