The stretch of Telegraph Avenue around the 50s in Oakland is home to an eclectic mix of businesses and buildings, and since the area is rapidly gentrifying it's unclear how long some of these uniquely Oakland, uniquely ramshackle spots will be around. Hence, I felt the area merited a mini photo journal. Enjoy!











The Original Steele's Skin Diving Supplies has been out of business for quite a while- but what I wouldn't give to hang that decrepit sign in my house. What's the skin diver doing anyway- harpooning a whale? The Miami color combo stands out against the mostly gray and brown tones of the 'hood.



I love the name and font of this laundromat- for all of your jive-talkin' laundering needs.



This bizarre faux windmill is wedged between 2 houses. What is it? The trash room? A secret clubhouse?



The tiny triangle-shaped Kasper's Hot Dogs is no longer in business, and the boarded-over building falls a bit more into disrepair with each passing year.



However, just down the street from the defunct Kasper's (with a 'k'), Casper's (with a 'c') will still sell you a hot dog, representing with the nostalgic graphics and the 1970s color scheme.



This highly personalized truck is often parked across from Kasper's.



This sign used to point to a bunch of great stuff, I'm sure, but what?!!? Inquiring minds want to know. At the present time it marks the edge of a parking lot for a Chinese restaurant.





The pink confection of an estate that houses Hooper's Chocolates has got to be one of the most stylistically and architecturally incongruous things around. It's set back from the street and looks every bit like your Granny's house.



The all-caps Hide A Way is a funky diner nestled among the trees.



Gotta love a drive-in liquor store!


Previous mini photo journal: Tamales, Hipsters, & Underpants: SF's 24th Street, The Mission