Golden Gate, Oakland, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Golden Gate
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San Pablo Avenue during Love Our Neighborhood Day 2014
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Location of Golden Gate in Oakland
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Alameda |
| City | Oakland |
| Elevation | 40 ft (10 m) |
The Golden Gate neighborhood is a lively area in Oakland, California. It's located in the northwest part of the city. You can find it east of Emeryville and south of Berkeley.
A key part of the neighborhood is the Golden Gate Shopping District. This area runs along San Pablo Avenue. It stretches from 53rd Street in the south to the Oakland-Berkeley border at 67th Street in the north. The neighborhood itself extends a few blocks west of San Pablo Avenue to Adeline Street on the east. This district is known for its cafes and arts places.
Contents
Golden Gate Neighborhood History
Early Beginnings and Name Changes
Long ago, the Huchiun band of the Ohlone people lived in this area. Later, it became part of a large land grant called Rancho San Antonio. After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, this land was divided up.
In 1885, a man named Charles Alexander Klinkner built about 75 homes here. He named the new settlement Klinknerville. A post office for Klinknerville opened in 1887. Just one year later, in 1888, the name was changed to Golden Gate. The town officially became part of Oakland in 1897.
Community and Culture in Golden Gate
The Golden Gate branch of the Oakland Public Library first opened its doors in 1918. It was built using money from a special grant given by Andrew Carnegie in 1914. The library's design, created by Donovan and Dickie, is a great example of Georgian Revival Architecture from the early 1900s.
In the first half of the 20th century, Golden Gate was a popular spot for entertainment. It had more than 50 bars. One famous place was the original Trader Vic's, located at San Pablo Avenue and 65th Street. Many believe the famous Mai Tai drink was invented there!
Over time, the shopping area faced some challenges. By 1998, the city of Oakland considered it an area that needed improvement. During the 1950s, the neighborhood became home to a majority of African American residents.
Preserving African American History
In 1982, the East Bay Negro Historical Society (EBNHS) was invited to the Golden Gate Branch Library. This made it the first Oakland city library to have a collection focused mainly on African American history. This special collection was housed in a large part of the library.
With help from leaders like Mayor Lionel Wilson, the organization grew. In 1988, it changed its name to the Northern California Center for Afro-American History & Life (NCCAAHL). Later, in 1994, the City of Oakland and the NCCAAHL joined forces. This led to the creation of the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO). AAMLO opened in February 2002 in a historic building at 659 14th Street.
Modern Changes and Community Events
Around 2010, the Golden Gate area started to change. This process, called gentrification, means new people and businesses move into a neighborhood, sometimes changing its character. Some realtors even started calling the area "NOBE," which was a bit controversial.
Since 2014, the neighborhood has hosted a fun event called Love Our Neighborhood Day. During this festival, San Pablo Avenue is closed to cars, allowing people to walk, bike, and enjoy the street freely.
Golden Gate in the News
Local news outlets have been covering the Golden Gate neighborhood for many years. Oakland North has reported on the area since 2008, and Oakland Local has covered it since 2009.
Images for kids
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San Pablo Avenue during Love Our Neighborhood Day 2014
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Location of Golden Gate in Oakland
