Jack London Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack London Square
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Jack London Square in 2015
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Location of Jack London Square in Oakland
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Alameda |
| City | Oakland |
Jack London Square is a lively area right on the waterfront in Oakland, California. It's named after the famous writer Jack London. This fun spot is owned by the Port of Oakland.
You can find many cool things here. There are stores, restaurants, and hotels. It's also home to Amtrak's train station. You can even catch a San Francisco Bay Ferry from here. Don't miss the historic Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon. You can also see a cabin where Jack London once lived. It was moved here from the Klondike! There's also a movie theater. The old presidential yacht, USS Potomac, is docked nearby.
Contents
A Look Back: History
This area first grew as a place for warehouses and factories. This was because it was close to major transportation. There were important train lines like the Southern Pacific Railroad. The Oakland Estuary also provided water access.
The area officially became "Jack London Square" in 1951. On May 1, 1951, a special ceremony took place. A plaque was put up to mark the spot.
Where is Jack London Square?
Jack London Square is located at the very end of Broadway street. It sits right across the Oakland Estuary from Alameda.
The name "Jack London Square" also refers to a larger area. This wider neighborhood used to be industrial. Now, it's called the Jack London District. In recent years, it has been updated a lot. Many old buildings have been turned into lofts. New buildings have also been built.
What's There: Businesses and Fun
KTVU (Channel 2) is a TV station that has been at the Square since 1958. The main offices for the Port of Oakland are also located here. The Oakland Tribune newspaper was here for a while too. They moved after their downtown building was damaged in an earthquake.
Many other businesses are found at Jack London Square. These include the Oakland Athletics baseball team headquarters. There are also software companies like Navis LLC. You can find many restaurants, such as Farmhouse and Scott's Seafood. Yoshi's is a famous jazz club and restaurant. If you like water sports, California Canoe & Kayak has been here since 1993. They offer retail sales and kayak rentals.
Trains and Travel
A main railroad line runs right through the middle of Embarcadero West. Trains move slowly here, at about 15 miles per hour. Trains used to stop at the 16th Street station. After an earthquake in 1989, a new station opened in 1994. This is the current Jack London Square station.
The train tracks are used by several companies. These include BNSF and Union Pacific. Amtrak trains like the Capitol Corridor also use these tracks. The trains share the road with cars, buses, and people walking. There are ideas for future transit too. One idea is a new BART station. Another is an aerial tramway to connect to downtown Oakland BART stations.
New Look and Development
Jack London Square has been getting many updates. More businesses, restaurants, and entertainment options have been added. The lead developer, Ellis Partners, has helped create new buildings. They have also improved public spaces.
These new areas help connect the city to the waterfront. They offer accessible spaces for everyone to enjoy. You can find many events here, from farmers markets to popular festivals.
