Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • 121

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rv -V 'A-- iWSP' A v. tV- ws. s. fs" "V-V v' C- j. v- 4 1 'v-V "'S; Photo frwn th ctllectIM LM SMr Dimond District in the 1890s, looking west on Hopkins where it sweeps past Fruitvale Avenue and up the hill behind the Altenheim, the ghostly hill-top structure at lefu i-r Memories Linger For Dimond District Pioneers 4 i maintained a feed, coal and wood yard on the next Baufofers picnic grounds was next where mu-, sic and dancing were an attraction on weekends and holidays, a spot that bordered Mrs.

Electa Sedgleys cherry orchard. From the orchard on up to Lincoln Avenue was i another open field.1- vt On the south side of Hopkins, at Boswell, Walter Heins, Frank Beck and Rod Black. Perhaps there are other names we donot know, says Vernon Sappers. There were two fire houses on Jhe same site, at different First was the -Volunteer Fire Department, then came the Oakland Fire Department and a new building. Years later the firemen moved-to their present ters.

Dimond was a community of as well. The Rev. Franklin Rhoda, son of Frederick Rhoda, the early jsettlerwho purchased orchard land from Hender- 'HAT is commonly referred to as the Dimond District of 4f Oaklands Upper Fruitvale has its I imaginary boundaries on the east at 35th Avenue, on the north at Tif- fin Road, on the West at 14th Avenue and bn the south at Brookdale Avenuer Several pioneer residents have described it to the Knave in that fashion. 7TX7 Dimond had its own post office -as early as Nov. 24, 1891 and held on to it for 17 years.

It was absorbed by the Oakland post office ine it is still the early, 1900s and you are on the east side of Hopkins Street walking from Dimond Avenue toward Fruitvale Avenue. Perhaps youve just walked out of Doc Masons Drug Store at the northeast comer of Dimond and Hopkins. Next door is the Diamond, Movie Theater. Note the spelling; even then it was a struggle to keep the a out of Dimond. Butyou wave a salute to James Lima, the theater owner.

On we go, passing the Prout Meat" Market and Mrs. Shorts Candy Store before reaching the' comer grocery store once operated-as the Dimond Grocery Company, and later as Macdonalds Grocery. the southeast comer of Fnutvale, was Bob Taylors saloon facing Champion 1 Street. The districts firehpuse was nearby for many years," but; was eventually moved down Champion Street. Behind Macdonalds Grocery t- I son Lewelling, was the founder and -first pastor of the Presbyterian Church.

He held theposfT7 yearsr- Bank of America now occupies The Sunday School class was start the old Macdonald Grocery on Avenue was the origi- ed by the Rev. Rhoda on Dec. 12, 7 nal Dimond Post Office. Dorns .1880, It jwas started -in. a- public school building at the corner of Boston Avenue and School Street.

There was a lapse of four years when the Rev. Rhoda moved, but in 1886 the Brooklyn Presbyterian Church established a Sunday School in a Dimond District building known as the Chinese Wash House. It was on School Street near Fruitvale Avenue. There were 45 pupils. of the volunteers.

Among its early 1oan members were Oswill Hermann Of l889 anew church was constructed on the north side then a shoe repair, shop adjoining fCaesefc Thoghdr- ing its existence there were several women 1 postmasters, including Mrs. Hattie C. Thompson, Eleanor Welch, and Cora Mount. The post, office was in Mounts grocery store at one period, and Macdonalds. Grocery at another time.

1 st it be interesting, muses Vernon Sappers in relating the Dimond District- history, to come across an old letter or post card with a Dimond cancellation on the staimp. I Well leave the picturesque Dimond beer gardens for review later and here reminisce with George Gruner and Bill Henderson on a sidewalk stroU along Hopkins Street in the early 1900sl Hopkins Street is now thur Boulevard. Nevertheless, Vii5iirX 'i.