Piedmont, but not Piedmont
There are a few places around the Bay Area that can be a bit confusing because they are/were named Piedmont but are not actually in Piedmont.
​
Oakland Tribune - Sunday - September 11, 1960:
​
Although Piedmont Avenue today barely reaches the Piedmont city lines beyond Pleasant Valley, there was a day when Piedmont Avenue had as much or more mileage within Piedmont's city limits. It ranged northeast from Pleasant Valley to what was called Bushy Dell, continuing on south of Piedmont Terrace to cross Hillside, Bonita, Vernal (now Highland Avenue), and Wita Avenues. Prior to that, the Piedmont Avenue Oaklanders know today was first called Webster Avenue, and then Cemetery Avenue.
Piedmont Ave
Originally called Webster Street and in Piedmont there was a street called Piedmont Ave in Piedmont.
The Piedmont Avenue neighborhood was founded in the late 1800s. It developed after Mountain View Cemetery opened in 1863, bringing visitors and public transportation.The area was annexed into Oakland in 1897.
Oakland Tribune - Sun - Feb. 16, 1969
Piedmont Avenue School
​
From abitofhistory.website:
There was a two-room schoolhouse up closer to the Mountain View Cemetery. Classes we held for a time at the home of G.W. Hume, who lived in a large estate where the school is located now.
​
The school at that time was used by both children from Piedmont and Oakland. The building was designed by William Kirk and cost about $10,000 to build. The school had a bell tower with a 350-pound bell. There was a large assembly room, a library, a hothouse for plants, classrooms on both floors, and a large lighted basement where the children could play during wet weather.
​
In July of 1938, while the students were on summer break, the school was destroyed by a fire that was considered arson. Ten firemen were injured four of them seriously.
​
​