Iron Triangle, Richmond, California facts for kids

The Iron Triangle is a neighborhood in Richmond, California. It's also sometimes called Central Richmond. This area is mostly homes, but it also has the main business part of downtown Richmond along Macdonald Avenue. You can also find shops and businesses near Cutting Boulevard and Interstate 580.

History of the Iron Triangle

What's in a Name?

The Iron Triangle gets its name from three big railroad tracks. These tracks form a rough triangle shape around the neighborhood.

• One side is the Union Pacific Railroad/BART tracks. They run along Carlson Boulevard and 13th Street.
• Another side is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway tracks. These tracks are next to Richmond Parkway and Garrard Boulevard.
• The third side used to be old Santa Fe tracks. These tracks are now being turned into a walking and biking path called the Richmond Greenway. Sometimes, people now consider the BNSF tracks south of Interstate 580 as the southern edge.

Who Lives in the Iron Triangle?

The Iron Triangle is known as the heart of Richmond's African-American community. About 66% of the neighborhood's 19,807 people are African-American.

Since the late 1980s, the Latino community has also grown here. About 34% of the people in the Iron Triangle are Latino. The first Mexican community in Richmond started in this area in the 1920s. The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway brought Mexican workers to its rail yard in Richmond. They even built homes for these workers.

During World War II, more Mexican-American shipyard workers moved here. Several Mexican-owned businesses opened during that time. These included La Perla, Richmond's first Mexican grocery store, and Gonzales Mexican Restaurant. The Rio Theater also showed Mexican movies.

Making a Difference in the Community

The Iron Triangle has faced challenges with its reputation. However, people living there are working hard to make things better. They want to change how others see their neighborhood.

One example of this effort is the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts. It opened in 2011 at MacDonald and 11th Street. This center has a special theater called the Iron Triangle Theater. It helps bring arts and culture to the community.

Lillie May Jones: A Community Champion

Lillie May Jones was a resident of the Iron Triangle. She was a dedicated activist for many years. She worked hard to create the Richmond Greenway. This project turned old railroad tracks into a green space for everyone. Lillie May also supported community gardens and environmental education. She encouraged people to plant flowers to make the neighborhood more beautiful.