Telegraph Avenue

Telegraph Avenue is an important historic location in downtown Oakland, California. It is also considered part of Berkeley due to its proximity to the Berkeley Campus. In fact the northernmost point is at the university and the avenue runs 4.5 miles along the length of it. Many of the students consider Telegraph Avenue as a four block section to the south of the campus from Bancroft Way to Dwight Way. The main aspect of Telegraph Avenue is as a community life for students and residents of the area. Restaurants, clothing shops, bookstores, and street vendors are found along the street. College students, artists, street punks, tourists, homeless, and eccentric folk spend a great deal of time at the shops and street vendors.

Telegraph Avenue began in 1858 when a line was created between Oakland and Martinez. The Alta Telegraph Company was the one that instituted the avenue be formed, hence the name Telegraph Road, which was turned into Avenue years later. Oakland's first horsecar line was established along Telegraph Avenue in 1869. It ran from Telegraph to 36th street. An amusement park, Idora Park, and other creations were once part of the famed avenue, which is basically the main hang out for people in Berkeley today.