Many of the streets of Oakland are named after and in honor of soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and lived in Oakland. These street are called Gold Star streets. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a Service Flag in the window of their homes. Living servicemen were represented by a blue star, and those who had lost their lives were represented by a gold star.
In 1919, an article in the Oakland Tribune entitled "170 Names on Oakland Honor Roll" listed all the Oakland men who lost their lives in the World War. 1
Oakland's street commissioner W.H. Parker was quoted in a 1928 Oakland Tribune article as saying, "Veterans who died during the World War and whose home had been Oakland are honored in the naming of many streets, and a special street sign has been designed with red, white and blue colors and a gold star for use on streets named for these veterans." 2
By 1932 the street department reported that there were "101 gold star streets named in honor of Oakland soldiers who died in France." A total of 170 soldiers from Oakland were lost in battle. The names of 69 soldiers are still on the list of available street names. 3
Map of Oakland's Gold Star Streets
I created a map of the streets based on list of 170 that was printed in the Oakland Tribune 1. From what I have determined not all the names were used. According to one article it was left up to the "Street Numberer" in the Department of Streets. The list was given to the department in alphabetical order, but the names were evidently picked at random.
Links and References
- List of Oakland's Honor Roll - List of WW1 casualties feb 1919.jpg
- Oakland Tribune 20 May 1928 - Oakland Tribune May 1928.jpg
- Gold Star Streets - Oakland_Tribune_Mon__Feb_15__1932_.pdf