Point Richmond Historic District facts for kids
The Point Richmond Historic District is a special part of Point Richmond in Richmond, California. It's like the old downtown area of this neighborhood. This district is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's officially recognized for its historical value.
Quick facts for kids |
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Point Richmond Historic District
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 Location in San Francisco Bay Area
Location in California
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Richmond, California |
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| Built | 1905 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Bungalow/Craftsman, Queen Anne, Neo-Classic Row House |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000472 |
| Added to NRHP | November 5, 1979 |
Contents
A Look Back: Point Richmond's Story
This historic area began to grow in the late 1890s. This was when the San Francisco and San Joaquin Valley Railway bought a large piece of land. It was about 57 acres, which is like 43 football fields! This land became the downtown area of Point Richmond.
Around the same time, the Santa Fe Railroad took over the railway's land. Also, the Pacific Coast Oil Company bought land nearby. They built a big oil refinery there. These projects brought the first people to live in Point Richmond.
Point Richmond's Role in the City
Point Richmond was the main downtown area for the city of Richmond for a while. But in the early 1900s, Richmond started to grow. The city expanded into the flat areas of western Contra Costa County. This led to a new, larger downtown area forming to the northeast.
During World War II, many thousands of people came to Richmond. They worked building ships for the war effort. This made the city grow even more. Point Richmond was also an important stop for the East Shore and Suburban Railway. This was an early train system that later became part of the Key System.
Exploring the Historic District Today
Today, you can take a walking tour of the historic district. The city of Richmond's Convention and Visitors Bureau provides maps for these tours. Even though the historic area is now a small part of the larger neighborhood, it's still very important. It's the main spot for local businesses and community events.
In 2004, there was some discussion about a Starbucks coffee shop opening. Before this, the area didn't have any big chain stores. Many residents wanted to keep the area unique. The coffee shop did open that year, and people have gotten used to it since then.
Getting to Point Richmond
The Historic District is easy to reach by car. You can get there from Interstate 580, Richmond Parkway, Macdonald Avenue, and Cutting Boulevard.
If you prefer public transport, AC Transit bus route 72M MacDonald connects to the Richmond BART and Amtrak Station. Golden Gate Transit routes 40 and 42 also connect to the station. Route 40 also goes to the del Norte Station.
Images for kids
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A view of the Point Richmond Historic District.
