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COMMUNITY ACTIVISM IN OAK PARK: COMPETING AGENDAS ...

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM IN OAK PARK: COMPETING AGENDAS ...

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In 1889, the Oak Park Association street car formed a company named the Central<br />

Street Railway which built a railway with electric powered trolleys and developed an 8<br />

acre picnic and park area. Oak Park became Sacramento’s first trolley car suburb.<br />

During 1891-1894, when the Central Street Railway became a more popular form of<br />

transportation, Oak Park finally began slowly to grow and other developers began to buy<br />

up property in the area. During the 1890s, a nationwide depression forced the Oak Park<br />

Association to dissolve, but in 1903, the street car company was reorganized as the<br />

Sacramento Gas, Electric and Railway Company, an enterprise which brought more<br />

entertainment into the area.<br />

Between 1900 and 1910, a working-class population was established, community<br />

churches were founded, a weekly newspaper was established, elementary schools and<br />

firehouses were built, and stores and a bank opened for business. In 1911, Oak Park<br />

(with 7,000 residents), was annexed to the City of Sacramento and became a mature<br />

neighborhood in the 1920s (Historic Environment Consultants 2003).<br />

Oak Park, a Suburban Destination<br />

Figure 1. Oak Park Gate Photo<br />

http://www.cityofsacramento.org<br />

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