The History of Jungle Hill
For over a century, countless neighbors and organizations have cared for Jungle Hill, officially and unofficially.
Here, you will find a timeline and compilation of articles, projects, and efforts of the community.
Landslides Over Decades
During heavy rains in January 1911, the hillside north of Ransom Street, overlooking that dogleg at the north end of Santa Rita Street, gave way.
Three years later, early in the morning of 20 January 1914, in the midst of a series of storms that ravaged the whole west coast, the hillside farther downhill started moving. The Joneses across the street nearly died when their gas line broke. More sliding happened a few days later.
In the 1930s, heavy rains caused mud slides, and five of these houses slid off their foundations. By 1970, the sixth house had slid as well. Some of the houses were moved to more stable ground, and others were destroyed.
After the landslides, Jungle Hill was deemed unsafe for building due to the soil composition, making the lots effectively worthless. As a result, landowners abandoned their loans, sending the lots into foreclosure and bank ownership.
More information on the landslide can be found on the Oakland Geology website, where Andrew Alden covers all things “Deep Oakland”.
1961: A Blighted Lot
This 1961 article from the Oakland Tribune is the documented start of a blight-renewal cycle of Jungle Hill. Two items of note- we find out the origin of the Jungle Hill moniker and, in what would become a familiar refrain from the city, the neighborhood was blamed for the blight, respectively:
It was named “Jungle Hill” by children in the neighborhood, for this is the kind of place that speaks of mystery and adventure to a child.
“Our investigation indicate, that in many cases, the rubbish and debris is there because the people in the neighborhood have made it their private garbage dump. These people aren’t just hurting themselves, they are contributing to blighted conditions which are spreading throughout the city.” - Wayne Thompson, City Manager
And a fitting name.
1970s: A Time of Renewal
In the late 1970s, neighbor Marques Miller founded the Santa Rita Land Trust to gain possession of the land, clean up the blight, and turn Jungle Hill into a park for neighbors and native critters. The Land Trust convinced the various banks to donate the lots they held to the trust. Considering the lots were unbuildable and long foreclosed on, this was likely a deal that benefitted the banks and the community.
The Santa Rita Land Trust worked with the Army Corps of Engineers to soften the slope and clear the park of debris. (pictured on the left from the Jun 20, 1977 edition of the Oakland Tribune). They secured donations from local businesses and lobbied the local and state governments for support. They planted over 200 trees! (from the May 05, 1978 edition of the Oakland Tribune).
In just ten months, this group of neighbors transformed a space known for mudslides and trash into a park with a playground and trails. The undertaking was a massive success. The Governor of California showed up on Arbor Day in 1978 to plant a tree. The project became a blueprint for success for community involvement in land trusts.
1996: This is Our Land! OMCA Exhibit
"This Is Our Land! Teens Speak Out on Nature and Community in the City" was a 1996 urban spaces exhibition project at the Oakland Museum of California that featured interpretive planning and design facilitated by community teen interns.
This project will have its own page on this site. Stay tuned for updates!
1999: A Memorial for Jaquita Mack
11-year-old Jaquita Mack wanted to become the president of the United States. She was beloved by her family, teachers, and peers.
Tragically, her body was found by a worker cleaning up the hill in July 1999. The details of this case can be found on the California Supreme Court website and numerous news sources. Her killer has been sentenced to death.
An oak tree was planted on August 24 as a memorial. It has grown into a great tree and provides a reflective space for all today.
2007: What Happened to Jungle Hill?
Local newspaper MacArthur Metro wonders about the state of Jungle Hill.
Will the community once again step up to restore this space?
2020s: The Friends of Jungle Hill
In the early 2020s, the Friends of Jungle Hill emerged as a group of caring neighbors who decided to adopt and steward the green space, as well as take us into this digital space, which allowed new volunteers to find each other.
Some of us have lived here for a few years and some of us have lived here for decades and have dedicated their lives to improving Jungle Hill. We’re always excited to meet new people who want to help.
Along with taking care of the park, we strive to respect and preserve the history of this space, and hope to strengthen community connections.
