North Sacramento, Sacramento, California facts for kids
North Sacramento is a community that is part of the big city of Sacramento, California, in the United States. It used to be its own separate city! North Sacramento was a city from 1924 until 1964. That's when it joined with the City of Sacramento after a very close election. The vote was decided by just 6 votes! The North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, a local business group, helped make it a city in the first place.
For many years, North Sacramento was special because it was the only city right next to Sacramento. It stayed that way for 23 years until West Sacramento became a city in Yolo County in 1987. The main ZIP code for North Sacramento is 95815.
When North Sacramento joined Sacramento in 1964, its borders were the American River to the south and the Natomas East Drainage Canal (now called Steelhead Creek) to the west. Main Avenue was its northern border. To the east, it followed the Sacramento Northern Railroad (which is now a bike trail) and other streets like Lampasas Avenue and El Camino Avenue. These borders were mostly the same as Sacramento's, except for a few areas like Hagginwood and Ben Ali. The decision to merge was a tough one, needing two elections to pass. The "No" campaign even used signs showing a big fish swallowing a small fish!
The North Sacramento School District, which served most of the city, became part of the Twin Rivers Unified School District in 2007. Many community groups in the area still use the old city name, like the North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, which started in 1923. Back when it was its own city, many businesses were along Del Paso Boulevard and El Camino Avenue. These roads were part of U.S. Route 40 before freeways were built. North Sacramento is also where Sacramento's main U.S. Postal Service building is located. The North Sacramento Freeway was finished in the late 1950s. It was first called U.S. 40 and then became Highway 160 in 1964. This area is also known as Old North Sacramento.
A big discussion point during the merger debate was about selling fresh meat after 6 PM. In Sacramento, there were rules against selling fresh meat after 6 PM. But in North Sacramento, there were no such rules! This meant that people working late in downtown Sacramento could drive to North Sacramento to buy meat for dinner. This difference was a big deal. Eventually, Sacramento changed its rules, allowing meat sales after 6 PM in North Sacramento and then across the whole city. This change removed a key reason for people to shop in North Sacramento, which started its long decline.
After North Sacramento merged with Sacramento and new freeways were built in the 1960s, many businesses on Marysville, Rio Linda, and Del Paso Boulevards were bypassed. This caused North Sacramento to slowly decline. The amount of tax money collected went down, and the area didn't have much say in city government for a long time. For over fifty years, money was spent on older neighborhoods downtown and new communities, while North Sacramento was often overlooked. Also, because it has many different people and covers a large area, North Sacramento has struggled with its identity. But recently, people in the community have become more active, and their new motto is "North Sac is Back"!
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Exploring North Sacramento's Neighborhoods
Del Paso Heights
Del Paso Heights, sometimes called "The Heights," is a neighborhood in North Sacramento. Its borders are North Avenue, South Avenue, Grand Avenue, and Marysville Boulevard. West Del Paso Heights is along Norwood Avenue. This neighborhood is home to Michael J. Castori Elementary School and Grant Union High School.
Strawberry Manor/Fairbanks
The Strawberry Manor/Fairbanks neighborhood is also in North Sacramento. It's a bit like an island, with only four ways to get in and out. Its borders are Silver Eagle Road to the north, Arcade Creek to the south, Norwood Avenue to the east, and Steelhead Creek to the west. Strawberry Manor was once a rural area known for African-American farmers. In the 1960s and 1970s, modest homes were built here, often on land that flooded. These homes became popular with lower-income families. The neighborhood was badly damaged in the 1986 floods.
Woodlake
Woodlake is a beautiful neighborhood in North Sacramento with homes built in the 1930s and 1940s. Its borders are Arden Way to the north, North Sacramento Freeway (Highway 160) to the south, Royal Oaks Drive to the east, and Del Paso Boulevard to the west. Woodlake has many older homes with unique character and value.
This neighborhood is mostly home to people with professional careers. It's often called one of Sacramento's most desired neighborhoods in local publications. Like some other popular areas, it even has private security. Several well-known Sacramentans live in Woodlake, including former state assemblyman Roger Dickinson, former City Councilman Rob Kerth, and business leader Terry Sidie.
Woodlake has the Woodlake Swim Club and Iceland, a seasonal ice skating rink. The main office for Sacramento News & Review, Sacramento's alternative newspaper, is also in Woodlake.
Noralto
Noralto is another neighborhood in North Sacramento. Its borders are Las Palmas Avenue to the north, Altos Avenue to the south, the Sacramento Northern Bike Trail to the east, and Steelhead Creek to the west. Homes in this area were built from the late 1930s to the 1980s. Sean Loloee, a Sacramento City Council member, represents this area.
Richardson Village
Richardson Village is a neighborhood project located in North Sacramento. Its borders are Arcade Creek to the north, Las Palmas Avenue to the south, Norwood Avenue to the west, and Rio Linda Boulevard to the east. The homes here were originally built in the 1950s. You can still see many examples of California ranch-style houses. This neighborhood, once middle-class, has seen more working-class residents in the last forty years.
South Hagginwood
South Hagginwood is an established neighborhood in North Sacramento. It has older homes with lots of character, big oak trees, and large private yards. Many people consider it one of the city's hidden gems. It is a diverse neighborhood. The borders of South Hagginwood are Arcade Creek to the north, Eleanor Avenue to the south, the Sacramento Northern bike trail to the west, and Del Paso Boulevard/Arcade Boulevard-Marconi Avenue to the east. This neighborhood is close to the Marconi/Arcade RT light rail station and the main office for the Regional Transit Light Rail Metro.
Swanston Estates
Swanston Estates is a neighborhood in North Sacramento. Its borders are El Camino Avenue to the north, Arden Way to the south, Ethan Way to the east, and Business 80 to the west. This small neighborhood was built in the mid-1950s. It was the first suburban housing development in the area. The neighborhood is named after C.S. Swanston & Son, who used to own a large livestock business there. The Swanston Ranch had a dairy, cattle ranch, and meat packing plant near the railroad tracks. Sheep used to graze on the land where Cal Expo is now. Sears, Roebuck & Co. bought some of the land in the early 1950s. For many years, it was the main store in the area that later became Arden Fair Mall. Swanston Estates is a very diverse neighborhood with a rich history. The Hope Community Church on Ethan Way was founded by Nicholas and Henrietta Gosselink, who were among the first residents. Many original residents still live here, including Gay Babcock, whose uncle donated the land for D.W. Babcock Elementary School and park. Linda Fowler, a school board trustee for Twin Rivers Unified School District, lives here, as do many small business owners and other professionals. D.W. Babcock Elementary School has many successful former students, including NFL star Donté Stallworth. The neighborhood also has many rental homes and has historically offered some of the city's most affordable housing. This has led to a diverse working-class population.
Dixieanne
Dixieanne is a neighborhood in North Sacramento. Its borders are El Camino Avenue to the north, Arden Way to the south, Evergreen Street to the east, and Del Paso Boulevard to the north/west. This neighborhood is home to the recently updated Dixieanne Park, which now has a new skate park. It's a unique neighborhood with a hidden charm because it's very close to the original Del Paso Boulevard. This boulevard was completely redone, changing from four lanes to two, with diagonal parking. The boulevard has many buildings with Art Deco style architecture. The city considers it a redevelopment area. This neighborhood is walking distance to the Arden/Del Paso RT light rail station and nearby bus stops. There are many fast food places and local "mom and pop" shops on this boulevard and nearby El Camino Avenue.
Wills Acres
Wills Acres is a neighborhood in North Sacramento. Its borders are Arcade Creek to the north, Eleanor Avenue to the south, Steelhead Creek to the west, and Norwood Avenue to the east. Johnston Park is located in Wills Acres. This park has a community center and a swimming pool.
