Macdonald Avenue

One of the five Macdonald Avenue landmarks.

Photo: Ellen Gailing

Macdonald Avenue

Access: Macdonald Avenue is the main business street of Richmond. There are multiple shops and businesses. Visitors may explore on their own.
Location: Macdonald Avenue, Richmond, CA. Businesses run from around 1st through 43rd street, with the main downtown area being approximately between 1st and 27th.

This main street of Richmond was an important certral location for shops, businesses and entertainment spots for home front workers. Imagine large crowds of people, 24 hours a day, being part of this thriving scene.

Today, Macdonald Avenue still is a very important part of the City of Richmond and it's growing and thriving community. Visitors may take a drive along the street to see how things have changed since the WWII "Boom Town" days.

The Macdonald Landmarks are a series of sculptural interpretive markers designed to share the history of Macdonald Avenue—Richmond’s historic “Main Street.” The five markers describe the Avenue’s many evolutions, including its important role as the heart of the city during World War II, when Richmond was home to the nation’s largest shipbuilding effort. These and the Bay Trail markers were developed by historian Donna Graves with designers Mayer/Reed.