Dimond District, Oakland, California
Encyclopedia
The Dimond District is a neighborhood centered on the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard
and Fruitvale Avenue in East Oakland
, Oakland
, California
, in the United States
. It is located about two miles east of Lake Merritt
, north of the Fruitvale District, and west of the Laurel District. It lies at an elevation of 213 feet (65 m). Dimond's ZIP code
is 94602. It is a multicultural neighborhood where the hills meet the flatlands and is a unique melting pot of cultures and social classes. In the district is also a park called 'Dimond Park'.
and purchased the land comprising the district in 1867. In 1897 he built a cottage that used the adobe bricks from the Peralta family's 1827 home. The bricks were used again to build the Boy Scout hut that is still standing in Dimond Park.
Dimond was originally a settlement distinct from Oakland, in an area called Dimond Canyon. The Dimond post office was opened in 1891 and by 1908 had become a branch of the Oakland post office.
The Dimond Business District is situated among several of Oakland's neighborhoods including Oakmore, Glenview
, and
Lincoln Heights. National (e.g. Safeway
, CVS Pharmacy, Peet's Coffee & Tea
, McDonald's
) and regional retailers (e.g. Farmer Joe's Marketplace) are mingled with locally-owned retail outlets and mom-and-pop restaurants including La Farine, a French bakery. Romano Pizza, a local pizza shop, is also located in the Dimond District. Major national banks, a U.S. post office and a branch of the Oakland Public Library are also located in the district. Dimond has excellent freeway access and visibility from Interstate 580.
In recent years, some have started to insert the article "the" in front of Dimond, as in "I live in the Dimond" or "Oaktoberfest in the Dimond." This practice is frowned upon by long-time residents, who prefer the usage without the article "the". For example, "I live in Dimond" or "I went shopping in Dimond today." Saying "the Dimond District" is acceptable, however.
MacArthur Boulevard
MacArthur Boulevard may refer to:*MacArthur Boulevard , a road that parallels the C&O Canal in Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland...
and Fruitvale Avenue in East Oakland
East Oakland, Oakland, California
East Oakland is the southeastern portion of Oakland, California, and takes up the largest portion of the city's land area. It stretches between Lake Merritt in the northwest and San Leandro in the southeast...
, Oakland
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is located about two miles east of Lake Merritt
Lake Merritt
Lake Merritt is a large tidal lagoon that lies just east of downtown Oakland, California. It is surrounded by parkland and city neighborhoods. A popular 3.1 mile walking and jogging path runs along its perimeter...
, north of the Fruitvale District, and west of the Laurel District. It lies at an elevation of 213 feet (65 m). Dimond's ZIP code
ZIP Code
ZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 94602. It is a multicultural neighborhood where the hills meet the flatlands and is a unique melting pot of cultures and social classes. In the district is also a park called 'Dimond Park'.
History
It is named after Hugh Dimond, who came to California during the Gold RushGold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
and purchased the land comprising the district in 1867. In 1897 he built a cottage that used the adobe bricks from the Peralta family's 1827 home. The bricks were used again to build the Boy Scout hut that is still standing in Dimond Park.
Dimond was originally a settlement distinct from Oakland, in an area called Dimond Canyon. The Dimond post office was opened in 1891 and by 1908 had become a branch of the Oakland post office.
Current situation
The district is home to several historic buildings, including the Altenheim, originally a retirement home for German Americans. The current structure was built in 1909 according to a design by San Francisco architect Oscar Haupt, after the original structure was destroyed by fire.The Dimond Business District is situated among several of Oakland's neighborhoods including Oakmore, Glenview
Glenview
Glenview as a place name may refer to:Republic of Ireland* Glenview, TallaghtNew Zealand* Glenview, New Zealand, a suburb of Hamilton, New ZealandUnited States* Glenview, California ** Glenview, Lake County, California...
, and
Lincoln Heights. National (e.g. Safeway
Safeway Inc.
Safeway Inc. , a Fortune 500 company, is North America's second largest supermarket chain after The Kroger Co., with, as of December 2010, 1,694 stores located throughout the western and central United States and western Canada. It also operates some stores in the Mid-Atlantic region of the Eastern...
, CVS Pharmacy, Peet's Coffee & Tea
Peet's Coffee & Tea
Peet's Coffee & Tea is a specialty coffee roaster and retailer. Founded in 1966 by Alfred Peet in Berkeley, California as "Peet's Coffee, Tea & Spices", Peet's is especially known for its strong, dark roasted coffee, including its Major Dickason blend.- Company history :Alfred Peet started Peet's...
, McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
) and regional retailers (e.g. Farmer Joe's Marketplace) are mingled with locally-owned retail outlets and mom-and-pop restaurants including La Farine, a French bakery. Romano Pizza, a local pizza shop, is also located in the Dimond District. Major national banks, a U.S. post office and a branch of the Oakland Public Library are also located in the district. Dimond has excellent freeway access and visibility from Interstate 580.
In recent years, some have started to insert the article "the" in front of Dimond, as in "I live in the Dimond" or "Oaktoberfest in the Dimond." This practice is frowned upon by long-time residents, who prefer the usage without the article "the". For example, "I live in Dimond" or "I went shopping in Dimond today." Saying "the Dimond District" is acceptable, however.
External links
- Dimond Improvement Association - Community organization.
- Dimond Neighborhood Oakland, CA - A photo-blog about Dimond, an Oakland neighborhood.
- Dimond Neighborhood Map - Oakland Convention and Visitors Bureau
- CEDA - Community and Economic Development Agency