Oakland CA City Guide

OAKLAND MEDIA OUTLETS

• East Bay Express Publishing – https://www.eastbayexpress.com/
• Oakland Magazine – http://www.oaklandmagazine.com/
• Inner City Express Oakland – http://intercityexpress.news/

OAKLAND HISTORY & INFORMATION

The history of Oakland is lavish and includes early inhabitants of the area, the Huchiun Indians, whom resided in the Oakland area for thousands of years. Their communities centered around what is known today as Lake Merritt, Temescal Creek, and Emeryville. In the late 18th century, Oakland was colonized by the Spanish settlers, more specifically, Luis Maria Peralta and his crew of explorers. With the land divided equally between Luis, Antionio Maria, and Vicente, the area was given the name, “Encinar” which translates to Oak Grave. The modern name of the city is derived from this early Spanish name.

Oakland continued to be owned and controlled by the Spanish up until the mid 1850’s when struggling Chinese immigrants established China Town in a bid to make better lives for themselves and their families. The Chinese brought with them a number of great things to the area but also brought the disease and plague found in their homeland. As a result the Spanish and other communities attempted to relocate the Chinese via both economic sanctions and arson.

What is known as “modern” Oakland began in 1851. Horace Carpentier, Edson Adams, and Andrew Moon began developing what is now known as downtown Oakland. The sought to strengthen the local economy with two hotels, a wharf, warehouses, and cattle trails. After Oakland was incorporated as The City Of Oakland in 1854, Horace Carpentier became its first mayor. Soon after it became an official city, Oakland grew exponentially with railroads and wharfs. There were also horsecar and cable lines constructed during this time which made Oakland a sensible and exciting destination for settlers and those looking for better lives.

Population And Economics

Oakland is a city comprised of multiple cultures and ethnic groups. It’s 425,195 residents are 34.5% white, 28.0% black, 25.3% Hispanic or Latino, and 16% Asian. Such diversity brings a rich and deep culture to Okland that isn’t readily found anywhere else. Moreover, this diversity makes Oakland an attractive place to settle as being part of the Bay Area means that work isn’t difficult to procure. There are jobs on ports, a bustling tech industry, and is even home to Dreyer’s Ice Cream, Pandora Radio, and Ask.com.