Cragmont, Berkeley, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cragmont
Neighborhood of Berkeley
Cragmont Location in Oakland, California
Country	United States
State	California
County	Alameda
City	Berkeley

Cragmont is a quiet neighborhood in Berkeley. It's mostly homes and sits on a hill in the city's northeast. This area is about 755 feet (230 meters) above sea level. It's located north of a small stream called Codornices Creek.

Discovering Cragmont

Cragmont got its name from the many rocks that stick out of the ground there. Before homes were built, this area was mostly open grassland. It also had oak and bay laurel trees growing in its canyons.

A Look at Cragmont's Past

In the late 1800s, Cragmont was first used as land for animals to graze. There was a rule that liquor could not be sold near the University of California campus. So, a local farmer opened a place to sell drinks. This spot was at what is now Spruce Street and Marin Avenue. Today, there are no shops or businesses in Cragmont.

In the early 1900s, a streetcar line was built. It was part of the Key System and ran along Euclid Avenue. This made it easier to get to Cragmont. Because of the streetcar, the area quickly became popular for building homes.

Living in Cragmont Today

Many homes in Cragmont have amazing views. You can see the San Francisco Bay and the famous Golden Gate Bridge. However, the houses are built close together. There are also many trees. This means there is a high risk of fire when the weather is hot, dry, and windy.

Cragmont is also located in an area with some natural challenges. There are places where the ground can slide. Also, a major earthquake fault, the Hayward Fault, runs right through the neighborhood. It's a branch of the even bigger San Andreas Fault. This fault generally follows the path of La Loma, Euclid, and Spruce streets.