In the late 19th century Oakland was a thriving waterfront city, the
second largest in the state. A center of commerce and industry, it was
also known for advanced notions of civic improvement. Good public schools
and academies, convenient transit and an oak-studded, park-like landscape
made Oakland a very desirable place to live.
In the 20th century Oakland was transformed into a bustling center
for commerce due to its strategic location, shipyards, rail connections
and temperate weather. Renewal and reuse of the city's urban center impacted
the fine residential neighborhood of downtown. Preservation Park thus became
the heart of an area designated for future historic preservation. It is
now joined by other restoration projects of architectural significance:
the Greene Library, the First Unitarian Church, and the Pardee Home Museum..
The homes in the Park represent the architectural history of the city
and are named after the original owners. The histories of these families
have been researched, recorded and made into a book - Through
These Doors, Discovering Oakland At Preservation Park.
The homes, no longer appropriate for residential use, were restored
for office use and the Park now houses a mixture of non-profit organizations
and small businesses. In addition to its offices, which provide working
space for over 200 people, the Park has several meeting rooms that are
used by thousands of people each year for conferences, classes, meetings
and receptions. For those who work in the nearby office buildings of City
Center, the Park offers a quiet stroll, a self-guided history tour or a
picnic on one of the many Victorian park benches.
