Temescal, Oakland, California

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Location of Temescal in the City of Oakland
Location of Temescal in the City of Oakland

Temescal is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the northern section of Oakland, California. It is centered on Telegraph Avenue, bordered by Broadway and Shattuck Avenue to the east and west, and Claremont Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard to the north and south. Although it shares its name with Lake Temescal, the neighborhood is located nearly two miles from that reservoir.

Temescal received its name from the Peralta family, who established their Rancho San Antonio in the East Bay. The name was first applied to the major creek that runs through the district. It was subsequently applied also to the estate of one of the Peralta brothers (Vicente), which was established in today's Temescal district adjacent to the creek.

The word temescal derives from the word temescalli, which means "sweat house" in the Nahuatl language of the Mexica ("Aztec") people of Mexico. It is surmised that the Peraltas or perhaps one of their ranch hands (vaqueros) had seen local indigenous (Ohlone) structures along the creek similar to those in other parts of New Spain which were called temescalli.

Temescal has long been an important junction of several principal thoroughfares: Telegraph, Claremont, and Shattuck Avenues, and 51st Street.

The Temescal Pool on 45th St. in Oakland
The Temescal Pool on 45th St. in Oakland

Until the early 20th century, a wide wooden bridge spanned Temescal Creek, carrying both road (Telegraph Avenue) and railroad tracks.

The horsecar line to the University of California along today's Telegraph Avenue (then called Humboldt Avenue in Oakland and Choate in Berkeley) operated out of a horse barn at 51st and Telegraph. When the horsecar was replaced by electric streetcars, the horse barn was replaced by a carbarn. The carbarn became the Western Carhouse of the Key System's streetcar division, the East Bay Street Railways. When the streetcars ceased operation in 1948, the carbarn was razed and a grocery store constructed on the site. This, in turn, was razed in the 1980s and replaced by a Walgreen's store.

Temescal is a diverse neighborhood with concentrations of Ethiopian and Eritrean immigrants. There are many Ethiopian restaurants here, especially on Telegraph north of 51st St., where there is one every few blocks all the way into Berkeley. There are also many Korean establishments along Telegraph Ave.

The neighborhood has seen many changes in demographics since 2000 as new condominium developments and upscale shopping have entered the neighborhood. Large numbers of young couples with children have moved to Temescal as the prices in nearby Rockridge have grown out of reach for middle-class families.

Temescal is home to one of the newest farmers markets in the Bay Area; the Temescal Farmers' Market, begun in 2006, is held on Sundays in the parking lot of the Department of Motor Vehicles facility on Claremont Ave.[1]

The Kingfish Cafe and Pub, a popular bar in Temescal
The Kingfish Cafe and Pub, a popular bar in Temescal

[edit] See also

[edit] Publications

  • Temescal News & Views ("Published by Temescal Neighbors Together with the support of Temescal merchants"); bimonthly newsletter.
TNT, c/o 469 Rich St., Oakland, CA 94609; temescal_news@yahoo.com

[edit] External links

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