Join us for a walk that will explore the competition between the Key System interurbans and streetcars and Southern Pacific “Red Trains” along the Oakland-Berkeley Border in the first half of the 20th century. The tour will focus on the eight electric lines packed between the one mile separating Telegraph Ave. and Sacramento Street. The location of the towers at rail crossings, wide avenues, and private right-of-ways used to disperse the lines in Oakland will be retraced to understand their impact on the present day street grid. Emphasis will also be placed on the origins of the jagged border between the cities, preservation of late 19th century Victorian structures, the Lowell St. industrial corridor, and the solution reached to increase the flow of auto traffic once the electric era ended in the 1950s. A level 4.25 mile walk. Wheelchair accessible.
Pre-registration required; limited to 40 attendees. Registration closes on Friday, Aug. 3, at 5 pm or when attendance limit is reached. A map will be sent to registrants prior to tour.
Tour Leader: Ron Hook and Stuart Swiedler
Meet: Provided upon registration.
Bios:
Ron Hook grew up on Rosemount at Verrada and now lives in Hayward. He was born a rail fan and became a bus fan 40 years ago. Per Ron, AC Transit and Key System history go hand in hand. Most of his spare time is spent cataloging and identifying photos for the Western Railway Museum in the east bay. He is a retired printer, and currently president of the AC Transit Retirees Club.
Stuart J. Swiedler, is a physician-scientist who has lived in Oakland since 1989. He is author of the web site, The East Bay Hills Project (eastbayhillsproject.org) that combines images of the railroad with aerial views to tell the story of the development of Montclair. The East Bay Hills Project was started to leave a photographic record and satisfy the curiosity of those seeking the basis for the changes to the area. His appreciation for the impact the railroad made to the area was derived from numerous bike rides and runs through the hills between Oakland and Mount Diablo with his wife Judy.
NOTES:
• PLEASE MEET 15 MINUTES BEFORE listed time to allow for registration.
• Comfortable walking shoes, sun hats and sunscreen are recommended. Bring water.
• Vouchers, limited-income accommodation, and any other special circumstances will be handled onsite at the starting point on the day of the walking tour. Check your email the morning of the walking tour for any last-minute changes, clarifications, or cancellation.
• Due to the ongoing presence of Covid, we will continue to make masks available. If you feel ill the day of a tour, please stay home. If after a tour, you become ill and test positive, please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you.
• If you need assistance navigating Eventbrite, please reach out to us at info@oaklandheritage.org or call our office at (510) 763-9218 and we’d be happy to help.
• Please check out the profiles of tour leaders. We are grateful for their skill and generosity.
• These tours support Oakland Heritage Alliance, a non-profit that tells Oakland’s story through walking tours, lectures, newsletters and advocacy. We welcome volunteers and new members!
• THESE TOURS ARE BASED IN PART on the research of the Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey, a project of the City of Oakland Strategic Planning Division, and the resources of the Oakland History Center, 2nd floor, Oakland Main Library.