Shafter Avenue Architecture II – West Intersection with College

From a southwest view, the west side of the Shafter Ave.- College Ave. intersection of the pre-BART-Highway 24 era is now blocked by the BART stairway and the Firestorm Community Mural Project commemorating the 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm.

L10-02-Stuart Swiedler Photo, (Image 1 of 19)

The same southwest view from June 23, 1946 with Key 988 serving as a northbound no. 6 streetcar car on College at Shafter ready to cross the SN track. Railfan and Key System employee Peter Khyn spent the middle of 1946 documenting the no. 6 streetcar knowing that the line would be abandoned on Sept. 30, 1946.

L10-05-Peter Khyn Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Achives, 58459ks, (Image 2 of 19)

This west-oriented aerial view from Apr. 8, 1953 shows the general area to be surveyed. The triangular Bank of America Building marks the southwest corner of College Ave. and Shafter Ave., the latter distinguished by the reflection of the rails of the SN.

L10-10-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 3301-16, Detail, (Image 3 of 19)

Now with more detail of the western intersection in focus from the west-oriented aerial view from Apr. 8, 1953, the specific focus will illustrate details of the commercial buildings derived from images taken by rail enthusiasts.

L10-15-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 3301-16, Detail, (Image 4 of 19)

SN 1014 leading a three car train meets Key System 801 in this southwest view circa 1940 taken from the southeast corner of the intersection. This image shows the transition from residential to business on the north side of Shafter Ave., just to the right of the train.

L10-20-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 52449sn, (Image 5 of 19)

SN 661 returning cars to Chico one day after passenger service has ended, July 1, 1941. Loss of service removed all incentive for the Shafter residents to support the continued presence of the SN. This southwest view also features Key System streetcar 805, and the often present Coca-Cola sign.

L10-25-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 50136ks, (Image 6 of 19)

Not a welcome site for residents of Shafter, a long freight fills the block west of College Ave., June, 1947. The presence of tracks at the intersection is significant as the final year for the Key System streetcars on College Avenue has arrived. This is one of the earliest dated images of a motor, SN 653, with its new orange stripes. Ellis R. Connelley’s Real Estate will soon be history as we proceed into the 1950s in L10-35.

L10-30-Arthur Lloyd Photo, Courtesy Arthur Lloyd , (Image 7 of 19)

This image of SN 605, circa 1950, southwest view, reveals the tight squeeze between train and parked cars. Note the Baby Shop, Shafter Barber Shop, and check out the specials at the relatively new College Meat Market.

L10-35-Tom Gray Photo, Courtesy Tom Gray , (Image 8 of 19)

Combined with L10-35, a full view of College Meat Market can be seen, circa 1950-52, in this southwest view of a SN 661-led freight. Across Shafter, the Bank Of America, the Varsity sign, and the rear of the Chimes Theater are captured. To see what was east of College Meat Market, go on to L10-45 ...

L10-40-Reginald McGovern Photo, Courtesy Reginald McGovern , (Image 9 of 19)

East of College Meat Market was Fashionette Beauty Salon, Green's Shoe Service, and Peck's Office Supply Company as seen in this west view during a BAERA Excursion, July 4, 1950, featuring MW 302 and Salt Lake and Utah 751.

L10-45-Alvon J Thoman Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 35914sn , (Image 10 of 19)

Another BAERA excursion from July 6, 1952 allows for accurate dating of this corner. This was SN 1005 inaugural trip for BAERA on the south end.

L10-50-Dudley Thickens Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 56032sn, (Image 11 of 19)

One additional image from the BAERA excursion from July 6, 1952 provides a detailed view of the entrance to the Bank of America building on the south side of Shafter, left, and the first residential house west of College on the north side, right. The great view down Shafter includes a last look at the two big palm trees near the southwest corner of Forest St., absent in the aerial shown previously from 1953.

L10-55-Roy Proffer Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 59862sn, (Image 12 of 19)

A panoramic view is in order as MW 320 approaches the west intersection during a Nov. 29, 1953 BAERA-sponsored excursion.

L10-60-McDonald Collection, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 159575sn, (Image 13 of 19)

A little bit of color adds perspective to the drama as SN 652 waits with a long freight to cross College Ave. The pantograph from the rear motor in the background signals the end of this line of boxcars.

L10-65-Stan Kistler Photo, Moreau Coll., W. Railway Museum Arch., 110861sn, (Image 14 of 19)

Its the last day of service, Feb. 28, 1957 as SN 652 proceeds with its load eastward in a light rain. Shafter Barber Shop has been replaced by Printed Products Co., but the specials at College Meat Market are still appealing.

L10-70-Thomas R. Bolo Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 51707sn , (Image 15 of 19)

A further peek north down College Ave. reveals a few additional details such as Supreme Cleaners as SN 1005 reaches the west side of the intersection in this undated photo. SN 1005 has been restored by BAERA and can be seen at the Western Railway Museum.

L10-75-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 51708sn RE Enter, (Image 16 of 19)

We now turn our attention to the southwest side of the intersection, from the Bank of America down to the Uptown Theater as in this 1930s view looking south down College.

L10-80-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 51709sn, Detail, (Image 17 of 19)

The Uptown Theater was the Chimes Theater’s name in the 1930s. It closed as a theater not too long after this 1948 northwest image was taken. A fire closed this structure for good, just prior to its destruction in the mid-1960s as part of the BART and Highway 24 construction. All the structures north to Bank of America were also razed for that purpose, while the building partially seen to the south no longer exists in its present form.

L10-85-William T. Larkins Photo, Courtesy William T. Larkins, (Image 18 of 19)

This northeast view of the rear of the Bidwell parlor car and Key System Trolley 803 will bring us across the College Ave. intersection to the east side. It is also the last Sunday of passenger service, June 29, 1941.

L10-90-David Merrill Photo, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archive, 18798sn, (Image 19 of 19)