Temescal Legacies: Narratives of Change from a North Oakland Neighborhood

by Jeff Norman

"Temescal Legacies examines five historically significant changes to the Temescal district and surrounding neighborhoods of North Oakland and the impacts these changes have had on the local community."

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful and well-researched look into the changing landscape of my neighborhood in Oakland. I particularly enjoyed the way Norman incorporated lengthy interview pieces from long-time residents, especially regarding the development of the Grove-Shafter Freeway along what is now known as Martin Luther King Blvd. He did an excellent job of describing how the freeway solidified pre-existing socio-economic and racial divisions in North Oakland, but I would have liked him to weigh in more on the social and political implications of those divisions.

[Lisa Howard]

This book provides an inside to the history of a thriving neighborhood that dealt with many urban changes that tore at the social and ecological fabric. The book is a testament to the strength of the community and hope that some of these changes can be addressed as changes are made to this part of the City of Oakland.

[Elia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read for anyone living in North Oakland. This book provides a rich history of the Temescal neighborhood of Oakland, California, including personal recollections and lots of beautiful pictures. I would never have guessed that a railway used to run up my street before heading north through the Altamont pass, through Sacramento, and terminating in Chico. And for anyone who has come to Oakland since the construction of the Grove-Shafter Freeway this book helps you see a little bit of the vibrant community that was displaced and is only now growing back, nearly 30 years later.

[lisa_emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned something interesting things about the Temescal area in Oakland. I never knew there was a train that from Oakland to Sacramento through Montclair. These remnants still can be found in various parts of the Oakland. Also some history about the demographic change in Temescal; including some tidbits on Afro-American history.