George Russell III – Lake Merritt, Broadway, and Before the Posey Tube

George Russell headed his plane to the east to capture this view of Oakland with Lake Merritt, circa 1930. Ref: SLC_653_NoDate_27

L204-05-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 1 of 43)

Along the left edge, middle, or north, this detail from L204-05 shows the completed H.C. Capwell Department Store in front of the Elks Club Building. The buildings behind to the lake belonged to Holy Names University until they sold the site to Kaiser Co. in 1955. Ref: SLC_653_NoDate_27

L204-10-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 2 of 43)

Further east along the north side of the lake, also a detail of L204-05, is the Art Deco Bellevue-Staten Apartment Building completed in 1929 based on a design by Herman Car Bauman. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

L204-15-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 3 of 43)

Next, a view to the northeast, and a closer look that follows will provide details as to the date. Ref: SLC_653_NoDate_10

L204-20-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 4 of 43)

The Grand Lake Theater’s monumental sign dates the image no earlier than early 1926, when the theater designed by the Reid Brothers was opened. The Bellevue-Staten Building is absent, so it is before 1929. Ref: SLC_653_NoDate_10

L204-25-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 5 of 43)

Next, a northeast view of the lake from a point further east. Ref: API 653_9_BOX 940

L204-30-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 6 of 43)

A closer look at the previous northeast view shows less buildings, and no Grand Lake Theater in site. Ref: API 653_9_BOX 940

L204-35-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 7 of 43)

Further east and looking north, the roped-off part of the lake is similar to the scene in L204-30, from sometime before 1926. Ref: SLC_653_NoDate_11

L204-40-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 8 of 43)

The previous north view provides an opportunity to delineate the Key System Central Car Barn between 2nd and 3rd Aves., and 16th and 18th Sts. It was closed in 1948 and the small shopping center that replaced it still has the Lucky Supermarket, but the Merritt Bakery no longer. Go back to the previous image and look for the complex of buildings and streetcars. Ref: SLC_653_NoDate_11

L204-45-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 9 of 43)

While on a Key System note, a detail further east from the previous image along Park Blvd. reveals the Oak Hall mansion of Arbor Villa, the home of Francis Marion “Borax” Smith. It appears as a ghostly figure at the middle right edge of the image. The villa survived until 1931. Ref: SLC_653_NoDate_11

L204-50-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 10 of 43)

The Posey Tube opened in October of 1928, and replaced the bridges that had once linked downtown Oakland to Alameda. The tube’s Oakland portal is easy to spot in this northeast view circa 1930. Ref: API 651_20_BOX 91 thru 95

L204-55-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 11 of 43)

The clarity of this image serves as an introduction to documenting important sites in Oakland. A closeup of the foot of Broadway to 7th St. from L204-55, northeast view. More details to follow later. Ref: API 651_20_BOX 91 thru 95

L204-60-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 12 of 43)

A closer view from 7th St. to the northeast into Berkeley from L204-55. More details to follow later. Ref: API 651_20_BOX 91 thru 95

L204-65-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 13 of 43)

This map from 1921 gives a detail view of the estuary and the complex set of train tracks in the area.

L204-70-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 83537a , (Image 14 of 43)

A comparison to the 1921 map is seen here in this 1931 version. The numbers correspond to the index found in the next image.

L204-75-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 106539, Detail, (Image 15 of 43)

The index to the 1931 map is shown here.

L204-80-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 106539, (Image 16 of 43)

Another northeast view of downtown circa 1930 taken further west relative to L204-55. Ref: API 653_36_BOX 94.

L204-85-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 17 of 43)

A ferry of Southern Pacific Golden Gate Ferries Ltd. heads from the foot of Broadway to points west in this northeast view circa 1930. To the east of this pier was the Clay St. Pier, indicated by the sign as the Port of Oakland. Ref: API 653_36_BOX 94

L204-90-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 18 of 43)

A northeast view right down Broadway, circa 1930. Ref: API 652_33_BOX 95

L204-95-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 19 of 43)

So much to see in this detail of L204-95, a northeast view into downtown Oakland circa 1930. An annotated version is next. Ref: API 652_33_BOX 95

L204-100-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 20 of 43)

Annotated detail of L204-95, northeast view circa 1930. The Central Pacific, later Souther Pacific, SP, Electrics Station went out with the cessation of SP Interurban Electric Railway service on 7th St. in 1941. Still standing, from 1939 on it was the home of Mi Rancho. Ref: API 652_33_BOX 95

L204-101-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 21 of 43)

The nearly completed Central Building dates this further-to-the-east northeast view of downtown Oakland to circa 1926, highlighting the east side of Broadway. Ref: API 653_25_BOX 91

L204-105-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 22 of 43)

Bank of America would become the name of the Bank of Italy in 1930, and they would take over the Oakland Bank of Savings in 1929. The respective signs may be seen on the 11th St. twin-tower Security Bank and Trust Building, later the “Key Building”, and the 12 St. Oakland Bank of Savings, respectively. Ref: API 653_25_BOX 91

L204-110-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 23 of 43)

A similar northeast view circa 1926 as L204-105, but this one goes further north down Broadway. Ref: API 651_34_BOX 91

L204-115-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 24 of 43)

A maze of street car tracks can be appreciated between 12th St. bottom, and the confluence of Broadway, 14th St. and San Pablo Ave., top, northeast view. Ref: Ref: API 651_34_BOX 91

L204-120-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 25 of 43)

The intersection of Broadway, San Pablo Ave. and 14th St. is shown. In the 1920s, First Trust and Savings Bank merged with First National Bank to become the American Bank. The building from 1907-1908 is now referred to as the First National Bank of Oakland Building, the Broadway Building, or more recently, the Lionel Wilson Building. Note the State Theater as well as. Ref: Ref: API 651_34_BOX 91

L204-125-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 26 of 43)

Further up Broadway several interesting signs appear. The Cathedral Building of 1914 sits across from the near completed Central Building. The finishing touches are also being applied to the Elks Club Building as well. Northeast view, circa 1926. Ref: API 651_34_BOX 91

L204-130-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail , (Image 27 of 43)

The 18-story tower of the Oakland Bank of Savings at the left or western edge of this northwest view dates it to at least 1923, and the absence of the new Central Building to before 1926. The image was taken over Madison and 11th Sts. Ref: API 651_35_BOX 92

L204-135-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 28 of 43)

A detail of L-204-135 features the Oakland Hotel, opened for business in 1912 on 14th St. between Harrison and Alice Sts. Hotel signs and the SP 14th and Franklin Sts. station with train car are seen to the west. Note F.J. Fuller and A.A Goepp, manufacturers of mirrors, art, and leaded glass at 1107 Jackson St. Ref: API 651_35_BOX 92

L204-140-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 29 of 43)

George Russell turned his plane east above Alameda to capture the two bridges linking downtown with Alameda. The image had to be taken before Dec. 27th, 1923, at which time the Harrison St. Bridge was removed. Ref: API 652_18_BOX 95

L204-145-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 30 of 43)

According to Robert Ford’s “Red Trains in the East Bay”, there was a Webster St. Bridge for narrow gauge trains, and an Alice St. Bridge for standard gauge in the 19th century. Both were removed by 1898 when the Harrison St. Bridge, seen in the background or east here, was opened. The Webster St. Bridge, foreground or west, was rebuilt soon after for the Key System and vehicular traffic. Ref: API 652_18_BOX 95

L204-150-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 31 of 43)

According to Vernon Sappers’ “Key System Streetcars”, streetcar service on the bridges was often disrupted by the heavy shipbuilding, and dock and warehouse activity. Note Union Iron Works-Bethlehem Shipbuilding on the Alameda side. Northwest view, pre-late 1923. Ref: API 652_20_BOX 95

L204-155-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 32 of 43)

SP trains from Webster St. in Oakland crossed the WP and SP mainlines before navigating a curve onto the Harrison St. train-only bridge. Once in Alameda, a wye structure sent tracks to the Alameda pier. This northwest detail of L204-155 shows the two SP towers on either side of the bridge that monitored the multiple track crossings. Key System streetcars merged on Water St. in Oakland before approaching the sharp curve onto the Webster St. Bridge. Ref: API 652_20_BOX 95

L204-160-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 33 of 43)

There were several instances where ship traffic hit the Webster St. Bridge. This east view had to be taken just after Jan. 7, 1926. Read on ... Ref: API 652_24_BOX 95

L204-165-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 34 of 43)

Sappers lists three incidents of boats interfering and closing the Webster St. Bridge, the most serious was on Jan. 7, 1926, when the steamer Lancaster rammed the bridge. Its planned replacement, the Posey Tube, was begun on May 19, 1925, but not completed until October 27, 1928. As a result, the short-lived bridge was rebuilt for an enormous sum and reopened by Aug. 17, 1926. Ref: API 652_24_BOX 95

L204-170-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 35 of 43)

A west view circa 1926 of the damaged bridge. Ref: API 652_25_BOX 95

L204-175-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 36 of 43)

A detail west view of the same scene circa 1926. Two other incidents on the bridge had less dramatic outcomes. On May 21, 1927, the steamer Diana Dollar closed the bridge until June 23, 1927, and one with the SS Rademorshire on May 17, 1928 was repaired by that evening. Ref: API 652_25_BOX 95

L204-180-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 37 of 43)

This west view of the Oakland waterfront south of the damaged bridge shows the mainlines of the SP, left, and WP, right, heading south, but also one more railroad. Ref: API 652_13_BOX 95

L204-185-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, (Image 38 of 43)

A detail from the west view of L204-185 highlights the Santa Fe’s isolated estuary operation in Oakland that transacted business totally via barges throughout the bay until 1984. Ref: API 652_13_BOX 95

L204-190-George Russell Photo, Courtesy the California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 39 of 43)

This dramatic north view of a section of Posey Tube being immersed into the estuary shows the repaired bridge circa 1926-1927 based on the completed Central Building in the Oakland skyline. The building partially visible at the middle of the right edge is the powerhouse of the Union Iron Works, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the only building remaining from the shipbuilding operation.

L204-195-Aerograph Co. Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 29844ks, (Image 40 of 43)

This northeast view from Aug. 31, 1962 shows the powerhouse, and to its left or west, the Alameda Posey Tube portal, and further to the west, the portal of the soon to open Webster St. Tube. Some added archeology as well ...

L204-200-Ed Brady-Aerospace Photo 7654, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 150573av , (Image 41 of 43)

Review this detail from L204-200, a northeast view from Aug. 31, 1962.

L204-205-Ed Brady-Aerospace Photo 7654, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 150573av, D, (Image 42 of 43)

Comparing L204-100 to L204-205, the Courthouse had been razed in 1950 and replaced in 1961-62 by the county Social Services Agency, green arrow. Within two years, the SP station at the foot of Broadway, red arrow, and the Hall of Records, yellow arrow, would be gone. Appreciation to Henry Bender, John Bosko, John Harder and Betty Marvin for helpful details and sources.

L204-210-Courtesy the California State Lands Commission and Western Railway Museum Archives, (Image 43 of 43)