Elmwood, Berkeley, California facts for kids
The Elmwood District is a friendly neighborhood in Berkeley, California. It's mostly homes, but it also has a small area with shops and restaurants. You can find it around College Avenue and Ashby Avenue. The Elmwood District became popular in the early 1900s, especially after the big 1906 San Francisco earthquake. It was one of the first places in Berkeley where rules were made to keep it mostly for single-family homes.
Shops and Restaurants
The Elmwood District has a nice shopping area along College Avenue. This area is busiest around the intersection of Ashby and College Avenues. You'll find many small shops and tasty restaurants here. There's also a small movie theater and a bank. A few more businesses are located near College Avenue and Derby Street. These places are great for people who live nearby.
Homes in Elmwood
The houses in Elmwood are similar to other parts of Berkeley. Most are single-family homes, but there are also some small apartment buildings. Many houses are older, built in styles like Brown Shingle or Arts and Crafts. They often have lovely gardens and are well-kept. Newer apartment buildings were built between the 1950s and 1970s. You'll see more of these closer to the Southside neighborhood.
Important Places Nearby
Several important places are located in or very close to Elmwood. Alta Bates Hospital is here, near Ashby and Telegraph Avenues. Students can attend Maybeck High School and Willard Middle School. The Julia Morgan Center for the Arts offers creative programs. You can also visit the Claremont Branch of the Berkeley Public Library or enjoy time at Willard Park.
A Look at History
The Elmwood District grew a lot in the early 1900s. However, in the past, some government rules about housing loans made it hard for everyone to live in certain areas. These rules meant that some groups of people, like African Americans, could not get loans to buy homes in places like Elmwood. This led to neighborhoods being separated by race. Even today, census information shows that Elmwood has a higher percentage of white residents compared to other areas in Alameda County.
