Explore two of Oakland’s most fragile, endangered historic districts, Wholesale Produce Market and the Waterfront Warehouse District: Explore two of Oakland’s most fragile, endangered historic districts, where early 20th century wholesale, industrial, shipping and warehousing activities are being replaced by office space, residences, and lofts. Since 2000, almost 2,300 new condos and apartments have been built. An additional 250 dwelling units have been approved or are currently under construction. The Waterfront Warehouse district boasts the country’s finest collection of sidewalk trash receptacles.
Tour Leaders:
Gary Knecht - Long a resident of the Waterfront Warehouse District, Gary worked in the Planning Department for the City of Oakland for many years. He oversaw the design and installation of the educational and handsome historic refuse receptacles that grace the neighborhood and inform residents and passersby. This is Gary’s last tour for OHA.
Dennis Evanosky - Dennis Evanosky is the editor of the nonprofit newspaper The Alameda Post. He is a free-lance writer with 12 published books. He edited the Alameda County Historical Society’s newsletter for 10 years. He has received four Partners in Preservation Awards, with Steve Mix and Eric Turowski for a calendar featuring the Oakland Laurel district’s history; a second for restoring the Civil War section of Mountain View Cemetery; a third for assisting Bill Caldwell with Oakland: A Photographic Journey, and a fourth as a member of the team of summer tour guides.
Dennis has been a docent at Mountain View Cemetery for twenty-five years. He has worked as a docent at the Pardee Home Museum and leads the City of Oakland’s walking tour of Preservation Park. His walking tours for the Oakland Heritage Alliance include the Laurel District, the Dimond District, Leona Heights, the Oakland Estuary, Oakland’s First Suburb (Preservation Park and the Pardee Home Museum); Oakland’s Redwoods and Mountain View Cemetery’s connection to the Civil War. He currently hosts walking tours for The Alameda Post about that city’s history.
Dennis was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania and was raised in Maryland. He holds a master’s degree in German from the University of Maryland. He taught German for the University of Maryland in Europe for nine years. On a personal note, he and his wife Pauline have been married for 46 years.
Meet: The intersection of 3rd and Franklin Street
Notes:
Vouchers, limited-income pricing, and any other special sales circumstances will be handled onsite at the starting point on the day of the walking tour.
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!
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.oaklandheritage.org for profiles of tour leaders. We are grateful for their skill and generosity.
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.
PLEASE MEET 15 MINUTES BEFORE listed time to allow for registration.
Due to the continued prevalence of CoVid, we encourage masks and social distancing, but as masks are not required outdoors by Alameda County, we are unable to enforce these suggestions. We hope you will be guided by consideration for others.
Comfortable walking shoes, sun hats and sunscreen are recommended. Bring water.
In case of substantial rain, the tour will be rescheduled.
Please check your email the morning of the walking tour for any last-minute changes, clarifications, or cancellation.