Fruitvale Avenue

In the 1870s, upper Fruitvale was largely orchards, cow pastures, beer gardens and muddy roads. However, Fruitvale Avenue boasted palatial estates. Eucalyptus trees lined the street and, within the estates, thirsty ornamentals like palm, magnolia, lemon and orange trees flourished. People walked along these paths toward recreational spots like Dimond Canyon, likely on paths the Ohlone had once used for their activity up and down the creek. Builders erected footbridges spanning the creek, connecting the gardens of adjacent estates and offering a tranquil, shady retreat for residents and visitors.

Newspaper reports of the time consistently mentioned Sausal Creek, highlighting its presence at the heart of Fruitvale and its role in nourishing the fertile soils that supported the thriving farms and gardens. You can see one such advert enticing potential vacation homeowners in the San Francisco Call in 1904.