Early Logging

Fruitvale Avenue, like many major East to west roads in the East Bay, likely began as a Native American footpath. Sausal Creek not only provided hydration to water-loving redwood and willow trees, but also powered sawmills. Loggers would bring newly felled trees to one of 10 sawmills located along the river for processing. However, the creek could not support a transportation waterway for the resulting lumber. After processing the trees, early loggers had to use hand tools and ox carts to haul lumber down the natural footpath along the creek, which likely became Fruitvale Avenue.