Fong Wan was an herbalist in the early and mid 1900s. Fong’s business was investigated by state and federal officials for his advertising claims for his herbs, but he was never convicted. Satisfied customers testified on his behalf in a 1932 trial. Some of his later advertisements would detail attacks by the federal government on …
Tag Archives: historical building
Pardee Home
The Pardee Home was built in 1868-1869 for Dr. Enoch Pardee and his family. Pardee would later serve as mayor of Oakland. His son, Dr. George Pardee later lived here with his family, and served as mayor of Oakland, and as governor of California. Notable during Pardee’s time as governor was the 1906 earthquake, which …
Saint Mary’s Church
Saint Mary’s Church is now home to the New Birth Oakland church, but the building dates back to 1872 and the parish was a major part of neighborhood life for over a century. The area was once home to immigrants from Italy, Portugal and later Mexico, but large swaths of buildings were taken out to …
Cathedral Building
The Cathedral Building is…
City Hall (architecture)
Nicknamed “Mott’s Wedding Cake” by reporters at the time, Oakland’s city hall building was completed in 1914.
Clay Building
Diagonally across the intersection is the Clay Building. Like many things in Oakland and the Bay Area, the building has ties with earthquakes. But this one has ties with two. Following the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, tens of thousands of people fled the city, and many ended up in Oakland—the population of Oakland almost …
Washington Inn
The Washington Inn is relatively new, but the building dates back to 1913. For many years it was the Hotel Ray, which like many other hotels in at the time, was a both a regular hotel and a residential hotel where people lived for longer periods of time. If the lobby is open, head inside …
Swan’s Market
Swan’s Market is newer than many of the other buildings in Old Oakland, but has been no less important to the fabric of the neighborhood. The building was constructed in phases from 1917 to 1940, and encompasses most of the entire block. Originally a “supermarket” of shops in an age of separate stores, it now …
Delger Block
The Delger Block is one of several buildings constructed by businessman Frederick Delger; this one was built in 1883. Notable tenants in the building have included the law firm of Metcalf & Metcalf, a partnership between George Metcalf, and later congressman and U.S. cabinet member, Victor H. Metcalf. (Remember learning about Teddy Roosevelt sending the “Great …
Arlington Hotel
Across the street is a large brick building with numerous bay windows labeled Nicholl Block. The Nicholl Block was built in 1877 by John Nicholl, an immigrant from Ireland. He had great success as a farmer in Alameda County, and was able to finance what was noted as “the first brick block on Washington Street.” …