Pocket-Greenhaven, Sacramento, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pocket-Greenhaven
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Neighborhood of Sacramento
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Part of the large canal system in the Pocket
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 Pocket-Greenhaven
Location in California
Pocket-Greenhaven
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Sacramento |
| City | Sacramento |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
95831
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Pocket-Greenhaven, also known as The Pocket, is a friendly community in Sacramento, California. It's about 5 miles south of downtown Sacramento. This area gets its name because it's shaped like a "pocket." It's surrounded by a big bend in the Sacramento River on three sides. Interstate 5 forms its eastern border.
If you're driving into Pocket-Greenhaven from the south on Interstate 5, you'll see a special water tower. It says "Welcome to SACRAMENTO AMERICA'S FARM-TO-FORK CAPITAL." This tower marks the southern edge of the city. The Pocket-Greenhaven area is in the 95831 ZIP code.
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Living in Pocket-Greenhaven
Pocket-Greenhaven is a mostly quiet and safe place to live. Many families call this neighborhood home. Some of the first houses were built here in the early 1960s.
Over the years, some famous people have lived in Pocket-Greenhaven. These include Hollywood actor Eddie Murphy and players from the Sacramento Kings basketball team. Important politicians like Darrell Steinberg, who is now the mayor of Sacramento, have also lived here.
The neighborhood has many fun places for residents. There are two private lakes where people can relax. You can also find 18 public parks in the Pocket-Greenhaven area. These parks are great for playing sports or just enjoying nature.
Schools in Pocket-Greenhaven
Pocket-Greenhaven has many schools for students of all ages.
High Schools
The main high school in the area is John F. Kennedy High School. It first opened its doors in 1967. Another option is the School of Engineering and Sciences. This school is smaller and teaches both middle and high school students. It started in 2010.
Elementary and Middle Schools
For younger students, there are several elementary schools. These include Caroline Wenzel Elementary School, Genevieve Didion Elementary School, and Pony Express Elementary School. Other elementary schools are Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, Matsuyama Elementary School, and John Cabrillo Elementary School.
After elementary school, students go to Sam Brannan Middle School. This school teaches students in 7th and 8th grade.
The History of Pocket-Greenhaven
Before houses and roads, Pocket-Greenhaven was a beautiful forest. It had many trees growing along the river and streams. The land was very fertile, meaning it was great for growing crops. There was also a large clay pit, which is now known as Lake Greenhaven.
Early Settlers and Farmers
Long ago, the Maidu Native American tribe likely lived here in the summer. They would fish and hunt in the area. Later, after the California Gold Rush, people from other countries started to settle here. Many of the first settlers were Portuguese families from the Azores islands.
These early settlers were farmers. They raised animals like cattle, hogs, and chickens. They also grew crops such as wheat, barley, lettuce, and tomatoes. They were often "subsistence farmers," meaning they grew food mainly for their own families. Later, they sold their crops to stores in Sacramento.
The Portuguese community built their own schools. These were called Upper and Lower Lisbon Schools. This helped their children get an education while staying connected to their culture. They also built and took care of the levees along the Sacramento River. Levees are walls built to prevent floods.
The Brickyard and New Neighbors
Pocket-Greenhaven also had an important brickyard. The Sacramento Brickyard Co. started in 1854. It was the first brickyard in Northern California. Workers dug clay from the pit and made bricks. These bricks were used to build famous buildings. For example, they were used for the foundation of the State Capitol building.
After World War I, many Japanese families moved to the area. They lived peacefully alongside the Portuguese community. For a long time, Pocket-Greenhaven remained a quiet farming area.
Planning a New Community
In 1958, developers bought over 700 acres of land. They wanted to build a "planned community" called "Greenhaven '70." This plan included schools, a shopping center, churches, and even a hospital. The goal was to create a new and better way of living for families.
In 1959, the Greenhaven area officially became part of the City of Sacramento. The city approved the development plan in 1961. Because of this, property taxes for farmers went up. Many farmers found it hard to pay these higher taxes and had to sell their land.
Building Greenhaven '70
The "Greenhaven 70" project was praised in 1962. It was called the "Best Planned Community of the Year." The name "Greenhaven 70" came from a long green park area. The developers hoped to finish the community by 1970.
Building homes started in 1961 and 1962. The first house was built at 9 Moonlit Circle. The community had special rules to keep it looking nice. For example, homeowners had to hide their garbage cans. They also couldn't leave garage doors open for too long.
A private swim club called the Greenhaven Cabana Club opened for residents. Later, a second club, Greenhaven Cabana Club South, also opened.
More homes were built in the mid-1960s. Bear Flag Elementary School opened in 1964. Pedestrian bridges were planned to help children safely cross busy streets. In 1967, John F. Kennedy High School opened.
Changes and Growth
The building of homes around Greenhaven Lake was slower. The original plan included a marina, but it was later canceled. This was because cutting into the levee could cause more flooding. Also, a planned green park area around Lake Greenhaven was not built. Instead, large lakefront homes were constructed.
The old brickyard closed in 1971. This was because more houses were being built around it. The land became part of the new Greenhaven Lake area.
In the 1970s, more homes were built. New shops and a supermarket opened. The first condominium complex, "Roundtree," was also built. In the mid-1970s, the section of Interstate 5 that gives Greenhaven direct access was finished.
The Pocket Takes Shape
The biggest building boom happened in the 1980s and early 1990s. Many new homes and communities appeared further south and west. This filled the entire "Pocket" area. Gated communities, duplexes, and apartment complexes were built. More parks and schools were added.
During this time, the area became known as "the Pocket Area." Interstate 5 added two more exits for the area. By 1986, the last Portuguese farming family sold their land. The Dutra House, an old farm building, was saved and is now used by a title company.
Today, Pocket-Greenhaven is a busy suburban community. It completely fills the bend of the Sacramento River.
