East Bay Yesterday

East Bay Yesterday
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East Bay Yesterday Podcast

East Bay history podcast that gathers, shares & celebrate stories from Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond and other towns throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

  1. “The mecca of pleasure seekers in California”: Exploring the rise of the amusement industry

    10 SEPT

    “The mecca of pleasure seekers in California”: Exploring the rise of the amusement industry

    Idora Park was much more than just the largest amusement park that ever existed in Oakland. Developed by real estate moguls who also owned a network of electric streetcars, this “mecca of pleasure seekers” played a significant role in the development of the East Bay, especially after the park sheltered thousands of refugees following San Francisco’s devastating 1906 earthquake. Idora served as a showcase for cutting edge technological marvels, it helped launch the careers of several early Hollywood superstars, and it functioned as a vast testing ground for the emerging amusement industry until its closure in 1928. Nearly a century after Idora Park was bulldozed into history, curator Justin Limoges is resurrecting the memory of this mostly forgotten landmark through his upcoming “Idora Idora” exhibit*. In addition to showcasing historical materials, “Idora Idora” will explore the relationship between the amusement park and the very unique neighborhood that now exists in its footprint. In order to stimulate all the senses, Limoges has also commissioned an Idora-themed fragrance and an original song, performed by Greg Gardner with Jeremy Brown, Cass McCombs, and Ben Sigelman. [*The exhibit’s site isn’t live yet, but I’ll post links on social media as soon as it’s up.] Listen now to hear my conversation with Justin Limoges about what Idora Park’s history can teach us about the evolution of amusement, collective memory, and the development of Oakland in the early 20th century. To see more images and links related to this story, visit: https://eastbayyesterday.com/episodes/the-mecca-of-pleasure-seekers-in-california/ Don’t forget to follow the East Bay Yesterday Substack for updates on events, tours, exhibits, and other local history news: https://substack.com/@eastbayyesterday Special thanks to the sponsor of this episode: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals are committed to supporting the health and development of all children. In 2010, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals and the Taylor Family Foundation co-founded Camp Winning Hands, a Bay Area summer camp for children with limb differences. Hosting activities like archery, rock climbing, and kayaking – Camp Winning Hands has welcomed nearly 100 campers, for free, at its specially-designed, accessible East Bay campground every summer for over a decade. Click here to learn more about Camp Winning Hands: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2023/08/426021/how-unique-summer-camp-connects-kids-limb-differences East Bay Yesterday can’t survive without your donations. Please make a pledge to keep this show alive: www.patreon.com/eastbayyesterday.

    1h 6m
  2. “Those wonderful smells”: A Bay Area coffee history crash course

    8 AUG

    “Those wonderful smells”: A Bay Area coffee history crash course

    Before the 1960s, coffee was a faceless commodity: hot brown beanwater with caffeine. Alfred Peet began a revolution in America’s coffee culture when he opened his first shop in Berkeley in 1966. Peet changed the way coffee was imported, the way it was roasted, the way it was sold, and even the way it was savored. He also trained multiple generations of people who would go on to be leaders in the coffee industry, including the founders of Starbucks. Today’s episode explores the long history of coffee in the Bay Area. In addition to covering Peet’s widespread influence, we discuss how beatniks got buzzed in the Italian cafes of North Beach; the somewhat murky origins of Irish coffee and the latte; the birth of 3rd wave, cupping, cowboys, and much more. Listen now to hear a conversation with coffee industry veteran Evan Gilman of The Crown, a “Coffee Lab and  Tasting Room” in Oakland, where you can sample and learn about some of the world’s finest coffee beans.  Don’t forget to follow the East Bay Yesterday Substack for updates on events, tours, exhibits, and other local history news: https://substack.com/@eastbayyesterday Special thanks to the sponsor of this episode: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Oakland, home of UCSF’s Center of Excellence for Immigrant Child Health and Wellbeing, an initiative that addresses the health of immigrant children through advocacy, education, and evidence-based clinical services.  This volunteer-run pediatric health center provides care that makes a critical difference: https://immigrantchild.ucsf.edu/home East Bay Yesterday can’t survive without your donations. Please make a pledge to keep this show alive: www.patreon.com/eastbayyesterday.

    1h 4m
  3. “Everybody wants it preserved”: Time is running out to save this Oakland landmark

    11 JUL

    “Everybody wants it preserved”: Time is running out to save this Oakland landmark

    The 16th Street Station was built in 1912 to serve as the western depot for Southern Pacific’s transcontinental railroad. For millions of people migrating to California, their first up-close glimpse of the Golden State was getting off the train in West Oakland and entering the station’s 13,000-square-foot main hall. The room’s massive, arched windows allowed light to fill the soaring space. For weary travelers, especially Black families fleeing the Jim Crow south, this building was a beacon of hope. Ron Dellums, Oakland’s former mayor and congressman, called the station “Ellis Island for the African American community.” Flash forward to 2024. The 16th Street Station is empty and slowly crumbling – a monument to broken promises and shattered dreams. Why has one of the most architecturally and historically significant buildings in the Bay Area been neglected and mostly vacant for so long? This episode explores the history and potential future of a unique Beaux Arts transit temple. Listen now to hear: Daniel Levy and Feleciai Favroth of the Oakland Heritage Alliance discuss their campaign to save the 16th Street Station; Tom Vinson share memories of his boyhood adventures at the station; and Marcus Johnson discussing his 13-year tenure as the station’s property manager. Don’t forget to follow the East Bay Yesterday Substack for updates on events, tours, exhibits, and other local history news: https://substack.com/@eastbayyesterday Special thanks to the sponsor of this episode: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Oakland, home of the East Bay’s only level one pediatric trauma center. I encourage you to read the incredible story of how UCSF Benioff’ trauma team saved a teen surfer from paralysis: https://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/patient-stories/broken-neck-recovery See photos and links related to this episode at: https://eastbayyesterday.com/

    57 min
  4. "A crazy gamble": Celebrating 75 years of KPFA radio

    11 JUN

    "A crazy gamble": Celebrating 75 years of KPFA radio

    In 1949, a group of pacifists launched America’s first listener-supported radio station. Despite government repression, infighting, and countless financial crises, KPFA has managed to survive 75 years. This episode explores the stories of some of the people who helped the station achieve this remarkable milestone. Featuring interviews with former and current staff members and volunteers: Larry Bensky*, Emiliano Echeveria, Adi Gevins, Bari Scott, Robynn Takayama, and Kris Welch. Don’t forget to follow the East Bay Yesterday Substack for updates on events, tours, exhibits, and other local history news: https://substack.com/@eastbayyesterday *This was the last recorded interview with longtime KPFA broadcaster Larry Bensky, who passed away on May 19, 2024. To learn more about Benksy’s legendary career, visit: https://kpfa.org/featured-episode/larry-bensky-may-1st-1937-may-19th-2024/ Special thanks to the sponsor of this episode: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Oakland. I encourage you to read the story of how UCSF research and UCSF Benioff Oakland clinicians transformed treatment for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and became a model for other hospitals: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/05/427576/race-save-one-infants-chance-hear-cochlear-implant

    1h 9m
  5. “The jewel of Oakland”: Exploring Lake Merritt and Children’s Fairyland

    8 MAY

    “The jewel of Oakland”: Exploring Lake Merritt and Children’s Fairyland

    With the weather warming up, now is the perfect time for a deep dive into Lake Merritt (not literally!). First, this episode explores the wild side of this body of water (which is technically a tidal estuary) with Constance Taylor, a naturalist with California Center for Natural History. Next, I interview C.J. Hirschfield, former director of Children’s Fairyland, about the enchanting amusement park that’s been entertaining families on the shores of Lake Merritt since 1950. Listen now to hear about the origin of the lake’s geodesic dome, the real story behind Walt Disney’s “inspiration,” and much more. Don’t forget to check out the trailer for the upcoming documentary Reflections on Lake Merritt: https://www.gofundme.com/f/CreativeDiasporas Follow East Bay Yesterday on Substack to receive news about upcoming events, tours, and other local history news: https://substack.com/@eastbayyesterday Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Oakland and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. To get tickets to Children’s Hospital Oakland’s upcoming event at the historic Fox Theater, visit: https://www.notesandwords.org/ To learn more about BAMPFA's summer program, which features the films of Les Blank and much more, visit: https://bampfa.org/film

    1h 3m
  6. “The neighborhood time forgot”: A strange sliver of waterfront

    4 APR

    “The neighborhood time forgot”: A strange sliver of waterfront

    There’s a small stretch of Oakland’s shoreline unlike any place else. Nestled between the restaurants of Jack London Square and the modern apartment blocks of Brooklyn Basin sits 5th Avenue Marina. This collection of rusty warehouses, eclectic studios, and surreal art installations recalls a bygone era, when crafty Bohemians dwelled amongst decaying shipyards. Schultz, a man who bought a chunk of this area in 1979, calls it “the neighborhood time forgot.” Although developers have attempted numerous times to dislodge the scrappy community at 5th Avenue Marina, these efforts have been stubbornly blocked, most notably in 2017 when residents formed a nonprofit called SHADE (Shadetree Historical Artisan Development Engine) and purchased the property formerly owned by Schultz. This episode traces the long history of the 5th Avenue Marina, from its days as a World War I shipbuilding facility up through its transformation into an unusual compound sometimes referred to as “Oakland’s Riviera.” Our tour guide for this voyage is the legendary Schultz, who is still a feisty storyteller at 88 years old and, like Rihanna or Cher, prefers to go by a mononym. To see images related to this story, visit: https://eastbayyesterday.com/episodes/the-neighborhood-time-forgot/ Follow East Bay Yesterday's Substack for news & upcoming events: https://substack.com/@eastbayyesterday Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Oakland and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. To learn more about UCSF Benioff Oakland’s new program BLOOM: the Black Baby Equity Clinic, visit: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2023/07/425846/new-black-baby-equity-clinic-helps-infants-and-moms-flourish To learn more about BAMPFA's upcoming exhibit, “A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration,” visit: https://bampfa.org/program/movement-every-direction-legacies-great-migration East Bay Yesterday can’t survive without your donations. Please make a pledge to keep this show alive: https://www.patreon.com/eastbayyesterday

    56 min
  7. “Climbing was all I had”: A history of bouldering in the Berkeley Hills

    6 MAR

    “Climbing was all I had”: A history of bouldering in the Berkeley Hills

    It would be easy to overlook the significance of Indian Rock and Mortar Rock, two relatively modest outcroppings located in the Berkeley Hills. Unlike the towering cliffs of Yosemite, which dominate the landscape, these boulders are partially obscured by the homes and trees that surround them. But for nearly a century, some of America’s most influential climbers have used these rocks as a training ground to test new techniques and technologies. The guidebook “Golden State Bouldering” calls these rocks “the heart and soul of Bay Area climbing.” In a recent Berkeleyside article titled “How Berkeley’s famous boulders took rock climbing to new heights,” reporter Ally Markovich explored the history of these influential outcroppings and the loyal community of climbers who have spent decades scrambling around on them. Her article uses these Berkeley boulders as a lens for tracing the emergence of modern climbing, the rise of “dirtbag” culture, the relationship between outdoor climbing and the current proliferation of indoor gyms, and sport’s growing diversity. To hear our conversation about all these topics and more, listen to the new episode. https://eastbayyesterday.com/episodes/climbing-was-all-i-had/ East Bay Yesterday can’t survive without your donations. Please make a pledge to keep this show alive: www.patreon.com/eastbayyesterday. Subscribe to my newsletter at: https://substack.com/@eastbayyesterday Special thanks to the sponsors of this episode: UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals Oakland and the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. To learn more about UCSF Benioff Oakland’s new program BLOOM: the Black Baby Equity Clinic, visit: https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2023/07/425846/new-black-baby-equity-clinic-helps-infants-and-moms-flourish To learn more about BAMPFA’s current exhibit “What Has Been and What Could Be,” visit: https://bampfa.org/program/what-has-been-and-what-could-be-bampfa-collection

    44 min
  8. “The streets have changed”: “Drug Lords of Oakland” author on the rise and fall of local kingpins

    9 FEB

    “The streets have changed”: “Drug Lords of Oakland” author on the rise and fall of local kingpins

    After spending more than three decades working in the underground economy, Titus Lee Barnes compiled his stunning stories of “the street life” into a self-published book titled “Drug Lords of Oakland: The untold stories of California’s most notorious kingpins of the 1970s, 80s and 90s.” Starting with the rise of infamous heroin kingpin Felix Mitchell, Barnes traces the trajectory of bloody turf battles and shifting allegiances throughout the emergence and implosion of the crack era. His personal connections with many of the young kingpins he profiles provides a uniquely nuanced view into a world of notorious figures that most people are only familiar with through mugshots. Although “Drug Lords” details the flashy cars and lavish parties that accompanied booming profits, Barnes doesn’t shy away from the heartbreaking consequences that inevitably followed. In this interview, he shares his own experiences of being shot and incarcerated as “a cautionary tale” and offers some surprising insights into the Bay Area’s ongoing crime woes. Listen now to hear Barnes’ memories of growing up in Ghost Town, the improbable romance between a small-time East Oakland hustler and Colombian “cocaine godmother” Griselda Blanco, drug dealer investment strategies, and much more. See images related to this episode at: https://eastbayyesterday.com/episodes/the-streets-have-changed-drastically/ East Bay Yesterday can’t survive without your donations. Please make a pledge to keep this show alive: https://www.patreon.com/eastbayyesterday Don’t forget to follow East Bay Yesterday’s Substack newsletter to stay updated on upcoming tours, events, and other local history news: https://substack.com/@eastbayyesterday

    43 min
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Hosts & Guests

About

East Bay history podcast that gathers, shares & celebrate stories from Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond and other towns throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties.

Information

  • Creator
    East Bay Yesterday
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2024
  • Episodes
    121
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    East Bay Yesterday

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