Fruitvale, Oakland, California facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fruitvale
Neighborhood of Oakland
Location of Fruitvale in Oakland
Country	United States
State	California
County	Alameda
City	Oakland
Population
• Total	50,294
ZIP Code	94601

Fruitvale is a lively neighborhood in Oakland, California, United States. It was first known as "Fruit Vale" and sometimes called "Brays." It's located about 4 miles (6.44 km) southeast of Downtown. Fruitvale is famous for having Oakland's largest Hispanic population, making up over half of its residents. The area's ZIP code is 94601, and it sits about 49 feet (15 m) above sea level.

The name "Fruitvale" comes from a fruit tree nursery started by Henderson Luelling in the mid-1800s. He grew many apricot and cherry trees there. After the big 1906 earthquake, many people moved from San Francisco to Fruitvale. This caused the area to grow quickly, and it became part of Oakland by 1909.

The main shopping area in Fruitvale is along International Blvd.. This street was called East 14th Street until 1995. It's one of Oakland's most important business areas. You'll find many Latino-owned businesses here. Fruitvale also hosts fun yearly cultural events. These include a Cinco de Mayo parade and a Día De Los Muertos festival. The Día De Los Muertos festival started in 1996 on International Blvd.

History of Fruitvale

How Fruitvale Got Its Name

Henderson Luelling was an early settler in Oakland, California. He was a horticulturist, which means he was an expert in growing plants. He was also a Quaker and an abolitionist, someone who worked to end slavery. In 1854, he started a nursery called "Fruit Vale." This nursery, filled with fruit trees, gave the Fruitvale neighborhood its name.

Luelling had a nursery in Iowa before moving west. He helped enslaved people escape on the Underground Railroad. In 1847, he traveled to Oregon with his family in a covered wagon. He brought 700 fruit and nut trees with him in a special wagon! About half of these trees, including apples, pears, peaches, and cherries, survived the long journey.

In 1854, Luelling and his family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. He bought 400 acres of land in what is now Oakland. He created an orchard there, which he named Fruit Vale. This is the origin of the Fruitvale neighborhood we know today. Luelling is buried in Mountain View Cemetery (Oakland, California).

Growth and Community Changes

Over time, Fruitvale grew. Some of Luelling's land was sold to Frederick Rhoda, who also started a fruit farm. Streets like Rhoda Street and Lincoln Avenue in Fruitvale are named after his family.

Around 80 years later, during and after World War II, many African Americans and Latinos moved to Oakland. Many settled in West Oakland. Later, "urban renewal" projects and the building of the Nimitz Freeway changed West Oakland. This caused many residents to move to East Oakland, including Fruitvale. By 1990, African Americans and Latinos made up most of Fruitvale's residents.

By the late 1980s, Fruitvale became a major center for Latino residents. It is now a very important cultural landmark for Oakland's Latino community.

Community Activism and Culture

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, many Chicanos and Latinos settled in lower Fruitvale. The Chicano Movement, a civil rights movement, became strong in the area. People in the community began to organize to stand up for their rights.

One important outcome of this movement was the creation of the Clinica de la Raza. This clinic was started to provide free healthcare for the Chicano and Latino community in East Oakland. The Chicano Movement also organized protests against the Vietnam War in Fruitvale. For example, in 1970, a protest was held at San Antonio Park. There were also student walkouts at local schools like Fremont High School and Oakland High School. The contributions of the Chicano Movement are still a big part of Fruitvale's history and culture.

Modern Fruitvale

Fruitvale has been going through many updates. In 2004, the Unity Council opened the Fruitvale Transit Village. This "Fruitvale Village" is a great example of how to combine shops, homes, and public transportation in one area.

On December 2, 2016, a sad event occurred when a fire at a warehouse party in Fruitvale caused the deaths of at least 36 people.

Jingletown: A Special Part of Fruitvale

The area of Fruitvale right next to the Oakland Estuary is called Jingletown. Locals sometimes call it "JT." Jingletown got its name from mill workers, many of whom were of Portuguese and Azorean background. They would jingle the coins from their week's pay in their pockets as they walked, showing off their earnings.

In the late 1950s and 1960s, many Portuguese families moved out, and Latino families moved in, becoming the majority in Jingletown. Today, about half of Jingletown's population is still Latino, but the area is changing. In 1998, an award-winning affordable housing project helped to improve the community.

Since 2003, many new homes have been built near the Estuary waterfront. Jingletown is still home to many artists who live and work in renovated buildings. The neighborhood also used to have the Institute of Mosaic Art, and you can still see many beautiful mosaics on buildings around the area.

Economy and Businesses

International Boulevard is a main road that goes through Fruitvale. It's home to many different restaurants and businesses. This street is seen as a good example of how an area can grow and develop without losing its original community feel.

Education in Fruitvale

The Oakland Unified School District runs the public schools in Fruitvale.

Also, Oakland Charter Academy and Oakland Charter High School are located in Fruitvale. These schools are part of Amethod Public Schools.

Getting Around: Public Transportation

Fruitvale BART station, 2018

The Fruitvale BART station is a train station located near the main shopping district. You can find it at the corner of 33rd Avenue and East 12th Street.

Many AC Transit bus lines also serve the Fruitvale area. These include the 1T, 14, 19, 20, 21, 39, 40, 51, 54, 62, 339, and O lines, making it easy to travel around.