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West Berkeley History

We celebrate the economic vitality, social diversity and history of community activism that make West Berkeley a special place. From Sacramento Street to the Marina, Albany to Oakland, West Berkeley has a unique meaning for the city and the Bay Area.

West Berkeley is the economic engine for the City of Berkeley. The 1,500 businesses here employ over 15,000 workers. They generate more than 44% of the city's sales tax revenues. We have low-tech and high-tech industries, many food and auto-related firms, ethnic and other specialty stores, along with innovative arts and cultural establishments. Some firms, such as the Nature Company, have their national headquarters here; others, such as Sybase, started here and have relocated elsewhere.

West Berkeley has always been the most culturally diverse part of the city. In the early 1900s, European immigrants arrived: Italian, Irish, German, and Finnish. African-Americans arrived from the south, mainly to work in the railroads or war industries during World War II. Many are now elders in our community. Although there have always been Latino and Asian-Americans here, their numbers have increased rapidly in the last decade, along with new Anglo, Southeast Indian, and African immigrants. Today, we have over 9,000 households west of Sacramento street's wonderful mix of young families, single parents and elders who have been here for 40 years or more. We are also rich in kids, with proportionately more babies being born here than elsewhere in the city.

West Berkeley has a long history of civic and social activism. In the early 20th century, the Finns started the first backyard saunas and hot-tubs here; activities still take place in the two Finn Halls, one on Chestnut and the other on 10th. They and other socialists started the Berkeley Cooperative Grocery, one of the largest consumer coops in the nation until it closed in the 1980s. They started the Coop Credit Union here to give our community members fair access to home loans and other financial services. In the 1950s, the movement for housing desegregation gained momentum after a city administration destroyed hundreds of homes occupied by African-American residents near what is now Albany Village. Activists opened up housing opportunities for Blacks and others above the "Color line" at Sacramento Street.

In the 1970s, city officials demolished more homes in the blocks between Sixth and Fifth Streets in order to build an industrial park. Neighbors resisted and insisted, along with labor activists, business people and artists, that West Berkeley would continue to be diverse. When the School Board voted to permanently close Columbus school in 1990, neighbors turned out in record numbers to help pass the city's first major school bond since the 1960s. Ocean View Gardens, Columbus School, San Pablo Park, James Kenney Park, George Florence Park, the West Berkeley Senior Center, the Sixth Street Health Center, Berkeley Youth Alternatives, Adelante, the Gilman Street project and other facilities would not be in the neighborhood today without the efforts of individuals committed to making West Berkeley a place where many different kinds of people can flourish.

Ultimately, we believe that West Berkeley's diversity of people and businesses is its greatest strength. Building links and fostering participation among many different people can improve the quality of life for the greatest number, creating a truly rich and vital community for us all.