Oakland’s History and Why We’re Proud to Serve the Oakland Community
Long before Oakland’s skyline graced postcards, the area was home to Costanoan (Ohlone) Indians who thrived on the fertile lands around San Francisco Bay. In 1820 the Spanish granted Rancho San Antonio to the Peralta family, establishing a large cattle rancho that dominated the area. During the Gold Rush, the fertile oak‑forested hills lured settlers; Moses Chase and others laid out the town of Clinton (later Brooklyn), and entrepreneur Horace Carpentier launched a ferry service to San Francisco and led the incorporation of Oakland in 1854.
Oakland’s growth accelerated when it was chosen as the western terminus of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, thousands of displaced residents relocated across the bay, boosting Oakland’s population and spurring development.
Infrastructure and wartime expansion defined the next chapter. The San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge opened in 1936, and military installations built during World War II brought an influx of workers—including many African Americans seeking factory jobs—which diversified the city. More recently, the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (magnitude 6.9) caused significant damage, killing 63 people, injuring nearly 3,800 and prompting major infrastructure improvements.
Today Oakland boasts a deep‑water port covering 19 miles of waterfront, making it a major West Coast cargo gateway. Its economy has diversified into business services, health care, transportation and retail, and the city is celebrated for its cultural vibrancy and resilience. Fast Plumbing & Drain is proud to serve Oakland’s residents and businesses, from historic West Oakland to the hills above Lake Merritt, providing dependable service to keep this dynamic port city thriving.