July 24, 2024. This fountain, decorated with four cute little pot-bellied bear cubs, has an interesting back story. In 1907, 45 percent of the state’s population lived in the Bay Area, and Berkeley’s population was on its way to tripling, partly with earthquake refugees from San Francisco.
A local developer announced he would donate land to build a new state capitol in Berkeley and move it from Sacramento. The proposal had some support based on the temperate Berkeley summers and its lack of booze (it was a dry city then) in contrast to Sacramento’s “lively saloon scene.”
To encourage support, neighborhood streets were named for California counties. The fountain and circle were intended to be the grand entrance to the capitol. An economic downturn derailed the plan.
The circle was designed for electric trains which ran till 1958. Nearby is the Northbrae tunnel, also originally built for electric trains. This pretty path, Fountain Walk, connects the circle to the tunnel entrance. Some photos are from the nearby Terrace Walk.
Next I went to Mortar Rock Park, up the street from the larger Indian Rock Park. This park has many depressions carved into the rock where Native Americans ground dried acorns. It has a bunch of winding paths and steps carved out of the rock to the top. The rocks attract lots of rock climbers.
My last stop was the Berkeley Rose Garden. Roses are pretty much over for the season but I found these orangey yellow-y ones that matched my hair.