Atchison Village, Richmond, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Atchison Village Defense Housing Project, Cal. 4171-x
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 Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Location | Roughly bounded by W. Macdonald Ave, W. Ohio St, First St, and Garrard Blvd, Richmond, California |
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| Area | 30.2 acres (12.2 ha) |
| Architect | John Carl Warnecke; Andrew T. Hass |
| Architectural style | Mid-twentieth century |
| NRHP reference No. | 03000473 |
| Added to NRHP | May 30, 2003 |
Atchison Village is a special community in Richmond, California. It was first built in 1941 to provide homes for people working in the Kaiser Shipyards during World War II. These shipyards were very important for building ships for the war effort.
Atchison Village was one of the first public housing projects in Richmond. It was funded by a special law called the Community Facilities Act of 1940. This law helped the government build homes for defense workers across the country. What makes Atchison Village unique is that it's one of the very few projects from that time that still exists today.
After the war, in 1957, the government sold Atchison Village to the people who lived there. It became a "mutual housing" community. This means the residents own the community together through the Atchison Village Mutual Homes Corporation.
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What is Atchison Village Like?
Atchison Village has 450 apartments. These homes are in 97 one-story buildings and 65 two-story buildings. Each home has its own entrance at the front and back. They also have private fenced backyards. Every home has a dedicated parking spot, and there's extra parking on the streets.
The homes in Atchison Village are quite affordable. Instead of owning the land, residents buy the right to live in a home. This makes it easier for people to afford to live there. Residents pay a monthly fee. This fee helps cover things like taxes, insurance, and keeping the buildings in good shape. It also covers water and trash collection.
The community has nice green spaces. There's a big park, plus separate fields for soccer and baseball with bleachers for watching games. Kids can also play at a modern playground. All the streets have sidewalks and streetlights. The Richmond Police Department patrols the area.
Near Atchison Village, you can find a laundromat and a small supermarket. The area is also close to Point Richmond, which has more shops, a post office, and a library. Atchison Village is part of the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park. This park helps tell the story of the home front during World War II.
The buildings in Atchison Village were built quickly and simply during the war. But they were made with strong materials. Over the years, many parts of the buildings, like roofs and water pipes, have been updated.
Who Lives in Atchison Village?
During World War II, the Lanham Act helped build many homes for defense workers. People who managed the companies building war supplies often lived in Atchison Village.
Today, Atchison Village is a diverse community. It has 450 homes where people live together in a co-op style. Many homes are single-story, and handicap ramps are allowed. The community's main meeting hall and public restrooms are also accessible for people with disabilities.
Over the years, the people living in Atchison Village have become more diverse. In recent times, many residents are of Hispanic background or are middle-aged to older White members.
How Atchison Village is Managed
Atchison Village Mutual Homes Corporation is run by an eleven-member board of directors. These directors are elected by the residents. The community works to handle any disagreements among residents privately. This helps keep the community running smoothly.
Getting Around
Atchison Village has good transportation options. The AC Transit 72M bus line runs from Atchison Village to downtown Oakland. There's also a free shuttle service from the City of Richmond that runs nearby.
You can connect to other buses in Point Richmond that go to different areas. The 72M bus also stops at the Richmond station. From there, you can catch BART trains or Amtrak trains to places like Davis and Sacramento. It's also easy to get to Interstate 580 and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge.
Environmental Concerns
Atchison Village is located about a mile from the Chevron Richmond Refinery. Sometimes, there have been concerns about air quality due to nearby industrial activity. The city council and community members work to make sure the air stays clean and safe.
Most of the time, the wind blows from San Francisco Bay. However, air quality can sometimes be affected by nearby businesses. There is also community action about plans by Chevron to change how they process oil.
See also
In Spanish: Atchison Village para niños
