Prescott, Oakland, California facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Prescott
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Homes on Wood Street
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 Prescott
Location in Oakland, California
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Alameda |
| City | Oakland |
Prescott, also known as The Lower Bottoms or The Bottoms, is a neighborhood in West Oakland, Oakland, California. It's a place where people live and where businesses are located. The neighborhood is bordered by Mandela Parkway to the east, 7th Street to the south, West Grand Avenue to the north, and Frontage Road to the west.
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Prescott's Past: A Look Back in Time
This area was once part of Oakland Point. It was known for its beautiful Victorian homes, which are buildings from the late 1800s. Many of these old homes are still standing today. Some have been fixed up, while others need a bit of care.
In the past, the neighborhood faced some tough challenges. This happened after Oakland's industries started to decline in the late 1900s. The area got its nickname, "The Lower Bottoms," after the Cypress Freeway was built in the 1950s. This freeway divided West Oakland and made Oakland Point feel separate from the rest of the area. There is one housing project here called Campbell Village Court.
From the 1940s to the 1960s, 7th Street was a lively cultural hub for African-American artists and musicians in Oakland. It was sometimes called "The Harlem of the West." Famous blues and jazz performers came from all over the United States to play at nightclubs like Slim Jenkins' Place and Esther's Orbit Room, and at the Lincoln Theater. However, the construction of the Cypress Freeway and the BART elevated train tracks later changed 7th Street a lot, making it less of a cultural center.
Cool Places to See in Prescott
Historic Buildings: 16th Street Station
The 16th Street Station is an old train station that used to belong to the Southern Pacific Railroad. It's a historic landmark in Prescott. The building was designed in a grand style called Beaux-Arts and opened in 1912.
Trains stopped using the station in 1994. Today, it can be rented for private events. It has also been used as a filming location for movies like Rent and music videos, such as E-40's "Tell Me When to Go".
Fun Activities: Trapeze Arts
Trapeze Arts is a special school where you can learn circus skills. They teach things like flying trapeze and other circus arts. It's one of the few full-time circus schools in the United States!
Green Spaces: Parks and Pathways
- Mandela Parkway is a big street in West Oakland with a green area down the middle. It was created after the Nimitz freeway's Cypress Street Viaduct collapsed during the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989. You can find places like American Steel Studios and Horn Barbecue along Mandela Parkway. The southern end of the parkway leads right to the West Oakland BART Station.
- Raimondi Park (also known as “Ernie Raimondi Park”) is the biggest park in West Oakland, covering 10 acres. It has an athletic field and is located at 18th Street & Wood Street. The park was named in 1947 to honor Ernie Raimondi (1919–1945), a baseball player and World War II veteran who grew up in Oakland. In 2008, the park was updated with new drainage systems for its playing fields.
Getting Around: The West Oakland BART Station
The West Oakland BART station is located right in Prescott, on 7th Street. It's very convenient because it's just one stop away from downtown Oakland and downtown San Francisco. Almost all BART train lines stop at this station.
In June 2020, the BART Board of Directors approved a big plan for the area around the West Oakland BART station. This plan includes building 762 new homes, with 30% of them being affordable. It also includes new shops, offices, wider sidewalks, and more crosswalks for people walking.
Community Spirit: Local Groups and Businesses
Prescott is home to many community groups that help the neighborhood. These include the Lower Bottoms Neighborhood Association, the Prescott-Joseph Center, and the Lower Bottom Playaz theater group.
There are also local businesses that serve the community. For example, City Slicker Farms, Revolution Cafe, Bikes 4 Life, and Mo Better Foods. In 2006, a special grocery store called Mandela Foods Cooperative opened in West Oakland. This store provides fresh, healthy food grown locally and teaches people about good nutrition. It's part of a group called the Network of Bay Area Worker Cooperatives.
