Temescal Homes For Sale

Before pioneers arrived in Northern California, native Indians built their village alongside Temescal Creek.  One of their religious activities was to sit in a nearby sweathouse and then rush into the cool adjacent waters.  The word "temescal" is an Aztec word for a sweathouse, and the term arrived with the Spanish settlers. [ Read more about Temescal...]

Temescal Real Estate listings

 

The area began to grow in the early 1870's when Italian immigrants began to move in throughout the area.  The growth became so heavy that the neighborhood was soon called "Little Italy". They planted fruits and vegetables, followed by the development of a packing and canning industry.  At one time, Oakland had the largest cannery in the world, the Josiah Lusk Canning Company, right at the corner of 51st and Telegraph--the heart of Temescal.  Just up the hill, at what is now the Safeway Shopping Center at Pleasant Valley Road and Broadway is Bilger Quarry which also employed the area's many Italian immigrants. Between the two was a large amusement park complete with wooden roller coasters known as Idora Park.

Temescal is being redeveloped section by section as newer families enter the area.  New local shopping centers featuring a variety of ethic foods and products are attracting neighbors from the Rockridge and Piedmont Avenue neighborhoods, and serving the needs of local residents.  In mid-June, everyone gathers together at their annual street fair.The nearby Temescal Library offers to lend books and additionally, it has a tool lending section.
The conclusion one comes to when visiting the area is that growth and development has been, and continues to be the hallmark of Temescal. [Back To Top of Temescal page]