Just ideas, I have not actually started a GoFundMe for these!
1. Conserve the 1821 Peralta Adobe bricks long exposed and deteriorating in the Scout Hut in Dimond Park
These are the oldest surviving structural elements in Oakland. See their history here.
Scout Hut, c. 1920s/30s, Peralta Adobe bricks visible between foundation and roof; at some point the hut was rebuilt, leaving only one partial wall of adobe bricks (here, in the far wall, out of view, adjacent to the Dimond Oak); some of the bricks were incorporated into a low sitting wall around the Dimond Oak
During the heavy rains of 199? the park flooded, severely eroding several courses of Peralta bricks that had been moved and incorporated into the low wall surrounding the Dimond Oak. Shortly after a City of Oakland crew came to clear out the damaged bricks and simply dump what was left, with absolutely no effort at any kind of conservation. I happened to come by late in this process and, horrified, managed to save some crumbs.
Dimond Oak c. 1995, before becoming distressed and being cut; partial wall of remaining Peralta Adobe bricks visible adjacent; on the bottom left is the low bench/wall (now removed) that formerly had underneath other surviving bricks reused from the hut rebuilding
Now the remaining courses await their fate. Removal, preservation, and display at Peralta Hacienda Park (thus near their original site) would be the best outcome.
2. Design & install a drinking fountain + monument at the Lake Merritt Pergola
We need a drinking water fountain here! How about something artsy & honoring the indigenous Chochenyo Ohlones?
3. Design & install a proper memorial at Mountain View Cemetery for the “Strangers’ Plot” in Section #51
In an unmarked plot near the cemetery entrance lies some 500 early local residents. Here’s my proposal for the text for a monument there:
“STRANGERS’ PLOT Here lie many hundreds of indigent residents of Oakland and Alameda County, buried c. 1870 – c. 1915. These men, women, and children were of many different races and backgrounds, including large numbers of early Chinese residents. Many died alone and far from their homes and families. We remember them here.”
This article describes extensive research by MVC docent Gaye Lenahan: “Oakland Strangers’ Plot full of mysteries,” Carolyn Jones, SF Chronicle, Jan 24, 2011
OaklandWiki article abou the Strangers’ Plot here.
There also is a short description Dennis Evanovsky’s Mountain View Cemetery, p. 5.
Russell Yee 