Jack London Square.

[Papa-Ken]

A couple of years back my wife Janey and friends Jane and Rick Ljung caught a ride on Amtrack to Jack London Square. It was a very nice experience and I thought I would share some pictures and history with you.

Imagine the 1800’s along Oakland’s thriving waterfront. Tall ships coming in to dock, smaller sailing vessels racing up and down the Estuary, the sounds of maritime activity and the voice of Jack London singing a sailor’s song or spinning yarns for the pleasure of those around him. The history of this area, now known as Jack London Square, dates back to the gold rush days when twice-weekly ferry service between San Francisco docked at the foot of Broadway in Oakland. In 1852, when the Stage Legislature incorporated the Town of Oakland, the first meeting of the board of Town Trustees was held here.

A visit will transport you back to the late 1800’s when oyster beds lined the Estuary shoreline and a young writer developed his thirst for adventure. World-renowned author of over fifty books including “White Fang,” “The Sea Wolf,” and “The Call of the Wild,” Jack London spent many hours in the tavern during his youth. He began by selling newspapers from a barstool at age 10 to seafarers while he collected tales of the sea that he would later include in some of his most famous works.

Bar owner Johnny Heinold befriended the young Jack and invited him to come in out of the weather to study the large Webster’s dictionary he bought for him. It was Johnny who loaned Jack the money to purchase his first small sailboat and to attend the University of California. Although he didn’t stay long at college, Jack soon began writing. Johnny Heinold and the First and Last Chance Saloon are referred to dozens of times in London’s novels, “John Barleycorn” and “The Tales of the Fish Patrol.”

Take a look at the distinctive wolf tracks at your feet as you make your way around the Square. As you follow them you will discover the history of the area listed on diamond-shaped historic markers highlighting facts about Jack London, the waterfront, the City of Oakland and the Port of Oakland.


This is Jack London Square, one of the nation's most distinctive and the Bay Area's most beloved destinations. A beautiful, vibrant waterfront enchants visitors. It defines our space. And it is the essential element of everything we are -- a dynamic destination buzzing with restaurants, shops, hotels, entertainment, recreation, outdoor markets and special events.

Last year a bunch of Oldfarts took a ride to Jack London Park http://www.parks.sonoma.net/JLPark.html and I posted a ride report about it on the Pashnit forum.

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3503

http://media.putfile.com/Jack-London-Square

Music by Brenda Lee.
Song: Sweet Memories.

[Steve1962]

Another great report Ken ,



Steve

[kluts]

Jack London courted a woman in either Napa or Sonoma, some 70 miles and a ferry ride from Oakland. While the Southern Pacific laid a rail connection to Napa by the late 1880's, London was not yet famous and all he could afford to do is bicycle. He took a boneshaker to see his flame on Sundays and rode there and back on the same day. If any of you have seen a "wheel" in action or actually ridden one, you would marvel at this effort. Talk about strong, healthy, and a bit crazy!

Not sure, but I think his situation "improved" sufficiently for him to get a velocipede (modern bicycle) for the trip. Dirt roads, too! He so loved the region that he eventually bought property in the Valley of the Moon north of Sonoma and that is Jack London State Park.

How many would court, er, "date" in this fashion today? Save for Lance Armstrong maybe, I can't think of too many.

Thanks for the reprt, Ken

[Husker]

Originally Posted by Steve1962

Another great report Ken ,



Steve

+1, +2........

Your work is always an enjoyable "escape"

[Loki]

wow...more memories for me to see. I use to work in oakland. My friends and I often dined at some of those restaurants you photographed.