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List of Oakland Designated Landmarks facts for kids

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Oakland, California, started a special program in 1973 to protect its important historic buildings and places. These places are like time capsules, showing us what life was like long ago. Many of these spots are also recognized by the United States government, meaning they are super important not just for Oakland, but for the whole country!

What Makes a Place Historic?

When a building or area is called a "historic landmark," it means it's special because of its age, unique design, or important events that happened there. Oakland wants to make sure these places are kept safe for future generations to enjoy and learn from.

How Places Get Recognized

There are different levels of recognition for historic places:

  • Oakland Designated Landmark: These are places that the city of Oakland has officially recognized as important.
  • US National Register of Historic Places: This is a list kept by the US government. Being on this list means a place is important to the history of the state or the nation.
  • National Historic Landmark: This is the highest level of recognition! These places are considered extremely important to the history of the entire United States.

Oakland's Special Landmarks

Oakland has many amazing places that tell stories of its past. Here are some of the most famous ones:

Historic Buildings

  • Camron-Stanford House (1426 Lakeside Drive): This beautiful Victorian house, built in 1876, is the last of the grand homes that once lined Lake Merritt. It's now a museum where you can see how people lived in the past.
  • Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon (90 Jack London Square): This tiny, crooked saloon has been around since 1883! Famous writer Jack London used to study here and even mentioned it in his books. It's a true piece of Oakland's waterfront history.
  • Joaquin Miller Abbey (Joaquin Miller Park): This unique home belonged to the famous poet Joaquin Miller. It looks like an old abbey and is nestled in a beautiful park with amazing views.
  • Paramount Theater (2025 Broadway): Opened in 1931, this theater is a stunning example of Art Deco design. It's still a popular place for concerts and shows today, and its interior is absolutely breathtaking.
  • Governor George C. Pardee House (672 11th Street): This grand mansion was home to George Pardee, who was the governor of California in the early 1900s. It's a wonderful example of a historic family home.
  • Tribune Tower (409-415 13th Street): This iconic tower with its clock face is a symbol of downtown Oakland. It was once home to the Oakland Tribune newspaper.
  • Oakland City Hall (1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza): This impressive building, finished in 1914, was one of the first high-rise government buildings in the United States. It's where Oakland's city leaders work.
  • Dunsmuir House and Carriage House (2960 Peralta Oaks Court): This huge estate is like stepping back in time to the Victorian era. It has beautiful gardens and a grand mansion that was built in 1899.
  • Oakland Hotel (13th St., Harrison St., 14th & Alice Streets): Once a very fancy hotel, this building shows the elegance of Oakland's past. It's now used for other purposes but still keeps its historic charm.
  • Grand Lake Theater (3200 Grand Avenue): This theater is famous for its giant rooftop sign and its beautiful interior. It's been showing movies since 1926 and is a beloved spot in Oakland.
  • Chapel of the Chimes (4499 Piedmont Avenue): This unique building is known for its stunning architecture and peaceful atmosphere. It's a very special place in Oakland.
  • The Rotunda (300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza): This building has a magnificent rotunda (a round hall with a dome) inside. It's a grand and impressive space that was once a department store.
  • Claremont Hotel (41 Tunnel Road): Perched on a hill, this beautiful white hotel looks like a castle. It's been a landmark since 1915, offering amazing views and a luxurious experience.
Camron Stanford House
The beautiful Camron-Stanford House by Lake Merritt.
Heinolds First and Last Chance 1960
Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon, a tiny, historic bar.
Joaquin Miller House (Oakland, CA)
The unique Joaquin Miller Abbey.
Paramount
The stunning Art Deco Paramount Theater.
NRHP-Ref 76000476 02
The historic Governor George C. Pardee House.
Downtown Oakland Historic District-6
The iconic Tribune Tower.
Oakland City Hall
Oakland City Hall, a historic high-rise.
Dunsmuir-house
The grand Dunsmuir House.
Oakland Hotel (Oakland, CA)
The historic Oakland Hotel.
Grand Lake Theater Oakland
The Grand Lake Theater with its famous sign.
Oakland-columbarium-s
The unique Chapel of the Chimes.
Claremonthotel03192006
The majestic Claremont Hotel.

Other Notable Landmarks

  • Lake Merritt (Lake Merritt): This large tidal lagoon in the heart of Oakland is not just a park, but a National Historic Landmark! It's famous for its "Necklace of Lights" and is a popular spot for recreation.
  • USS Potomac (1660 Embarcadero): This historic ship was once the "Floating White House" for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It's now a museum where you can learn about its famous past.
  • Oakland Technical High School (4500 Broadway): This school building is recognized for its history and architecture. It has been an important part of Oakland's education system for many years.
  • Oakland Museum of California (1000 Oak Street): This museum is a landmark for its unique design and its role in preserving California's history, art, and natural sciences.
Lake Merritt Oakland California
Lake Merritt, a National Historic Landmark.
Uss-potomac-at-oakland
The USS Potomac, President Roosevelt's "Floating White House".
Oakland Technical High
Oakland Technical High School.
Sign outside the Oakland Museum of California
The Oakland Museum of California.

Special Historic Areas

Oakland also has entire neighborhoods or districts that are recognized for their historic importance. These areas often have many old buildings that together tell a story.

  • Preservation Park (11th - 14th Streets, Castro - Jefferson - Martin Luther King Jr. Way): This is a special area where many historic Victorian homes were moved and restored. It's like an outdoor museum of beautiful old houses.
  • Victorian Row (Old Oakland) (7th - 10th Streets, Broadway - Clay Street): This district is filled with charming Victorian buildings that have been preserved. It's a great place to walk around and imagine what Oakland was like in the late 1800s.
  • Bellevue Staten Apartment District (Portions of Bellevue, Elita & Staten Avenues adjoining Lakeside Park): This area is recognized for its historic apartment buildings, showing how people lived in multi-family homes in the past.
  • Sheffield Village Historic District (Roxbury, Marlow, Middleton, Covington, Brookfield, Danbury & 1810 - 1848 Foothill Boulevard): This neighborhood is a great example of a planned community from the mid-20th century, with a unique style of homes.
ThorntonHouse
A historic house in Preservation Park.
Oldoakland02262006
Victorian buildings in Old Oakland.
Bellevue-Staten Building in Oakland, California
The Bellevue-Staten Building in a historic apartment district.
Sheffield Village, Oakland, CA, USA - panoramio
Homes in Sheffield Village Historic District.

Images for kids

  • Oakland 3rd Street station, November 2017

    Western Pacific Depot

  • Moss mansion

    J. Mora Moss House

  • Alfred H. Cohen House (Oakland, CA)

    Alfred H. Cohen House

  • Antonio Maria Peralta House (Oakland, CA)

    Antonio Maria Peralta House

  • Treadwell Mansion (Oakland, CA)

    Treadwell Hall

  • NRHP-Ref 77000284 04

    First Unitarian Church

  • Oakland YWCA (Oakland, CA)

    Young Women's Christian Assoc. (YWCA)

  • Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption (Oakland, CA)

    Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption

  • Fox Oakland Theatre

    Fox Theatre

  • Hdr 00074 0 1

    California Cotton Mills Company Factory

  • Locke House (Oakland, CA)

    Locke House

  • Oakland Civic Auditorium circa 1917 (kt7199q9d0-z122)

    Oakland Municipal Auditorium / Henry J. Kaiser Center

  • Trinity Church (Oakland, CA)

    St. Augustine's / Old Trinity Church

  • Earl Warren House (Clausen House), Oakland, CA

    Earl Warren House

  • Western portals of the Caldecott Tunnel, May 2019

    Caldecott Tunnel

  • Leimert Bridge

    Leimert Bridge

  • White Mansion (Oakland, CA)

    Asa White House

  • Oakland Public Library Golden Gate Branch 2009

    Carnegie Libraries: Golden Gate Branch

  • Oakland Free Library-Melrose Branch (Oakland, CA)

    Carnegie Libraries: Melrose Branch

  • Oakland Free Library-Alden Branch (Oakland, CA)

    Carnegie Libraries: Temescal Branch

  • Oakland Free Library-23rd Ave. Branch (Oakland, CA)

    Carnegie Libraries: 23rd Avenue Branch

  • King's Daughters Home, Oakland CA

    King's Daughters Home

  • Morcom rose garden

    Morcom Rose Garden

  • Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church, Oakland, CA

    Second Church of Christ Scientist / Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church

  • White House - front - Preservation Park, Oakland California

    James White House

  • Oakland Public Library (Oakland, CA)

    Charles S. Greene Library / African American Museum and Library at Oakland

  • Oakland Long Wharf aerial

    Southern Pacific Mole

  • McCrea House (Oakland, CA)

    George McCrea House and Indian Campground

  • Dunns Block (Oakland, CA)

    Dunn Block

  • Oriental Block, Oakland

    Peniel Mission (Oriental Block)

  • Oakland 7th Street station, November 2017

    Central Pacific Railroad Depot (Mi Rancho)

  • Federal Realty Building (Oakland, CA) 2

    Cathedral Building

  • Ratto's International Grocery, Oakland, California

    Gooch Block (Ratto's International Grocery)

  • Oaklandstation2007

    Southern Pacific Railroad Station

  • Security Bank & Trust Co Building (Oakland, CA)

    1100 Broadway Building (Key System Building)

  • St james apostle oakland

    Church of St. James the Apostle & Parish Hall

  • St. Joseph's Home for the Aged

    St. Joseph's Home for the Aged & Professional Center

  • Main Post Office (Oakland, CA)

    Civic Center Post Office

  • Lakemerritlights02192006

    Necklace of Lights

  • Hotel Leamington, Oakland, Calif (74120)

    Leamington Hotel Building & Annex

  • St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Oakland California

    St. Paul's Episcopal Church

  • University High School (Oakland, CA).JPG

    University High School / North Oakland Senior Center

  • Temple Sinai First Hebrew Congregation of Oakland2

    Temple Sinai

  • American Bag Co.-4

    American Bag Company / Union Hide Company

  • Former Cox Cadillac, Whole Foods, Oakland California

    Cox Cadillac - Whole Foods

  • Lake Chalet, Oakland, CA

    Municipal Boathouse (High Pressure Pumping Station #1)

  • Ladies' Relief Society Children's Home (Oakland, CA)

    Studio One Arts Center (Ladies Relief Society Children's Home)

  • Altenheim (Oakland, CA)

    The Altenheim Senior Housing

See also

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List of Oakland Designated Landmarks Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.