Oakland Historic District

The Oakland Historic District is important as one of the few remaining historic neighborhoods in downtown Phoenix. Its architecture and development patterns are typical of working class neighborhoods that flourished around central Phoenix after the turn of the century. The Oakland neighborhood is historically important for its strong associations with the Southern Pacific Railroad and other industrial concerns that were important to the economic development of Phoenix in the early twentieth century. Architecturally, the Oakland Historic District illustrates the major historic architectural styles that were once prevalent in Phoenix and the character of the historic neighborhoods in Phoenix from the early twentieth century.

The Oakland area, which forms the core of the Oakland Historic District, was platted by the Phoenix Realty Company with 133 lots. In 1914, the new firm of Homebuilders, Inc. constructed fourteen homes in the Oakland subdivision. Homebuilders was one of the first builders involved in speculative residential construction. The firm was established in 1910 by two realtors, Green and Griffen, to build homes on the lots they subdivided. No other homes were constructed in the area until after the completion of Cave Creek Dam in 1923.  The dam removed the threat of seasonal flooding of Cave Creek, allowing the area of Phoenix west of 15th Avenue to be successfully developed for the first time. Due both to the growth of local industry and commercial activity and the accompanying population growth in Phoenix, the neighborhood continued to grow. By 1938, the Oakland neighborhood was occupied by small Bungalows or Period Revival Style houses and palm trees had been planted along the major streets.

Modestly scaled Bungalow and Spanish Colonial Revival houses typical of the prevailing architectural styles of the 1920′s dominate the Oakland District. The Bungalows in Oakland are characterized by broad porches and gable roofs and are often of brick construction. Most of the Bungalows in Oakland were constructed from 1914 through 1925. After that time, the Spanish Colonial Revival Styles emerged as the prevalent style in the Oakland District. Spanish Colonial Revival houses are typically stucco construction with flat or low pitched red tile roofs and arched door and window openings.

Information courtesy of Historic Preservation Office, City of Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department

Oakland … If you have more info, please email rick@lcmhomegroup.com