George Russell IV – Exploring the Oakland Side of The Estuary

After leaving the damaged Webster St. Bridge of 1926 seen in the background of this northwest view, George Russell continued southeast along the Oakland Harbor and Estuary. Ref: API 652_12_BOX 95

L232-05-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 1 of 28)

Using the last image as an example, a series of maps shifted by approximately 25 degrees counterclockwise will be provided as reference to navigate the images to follow. This map from 1903 is presented as a reminder that by that time, Alameda had been separated from Oakland by means of the shipping channel, but the big dredging of 1913 that resulted in Government Island, now Coast Guard Island, had not occurred.

L232-10-Woodward, Watson and Co. Map of Oakland, John Bosko Collection, Courtesy John Bosko, (Image 2 of 28)

Ahead to 1921, and the harbor and estuary are recognizable to what is seen in 2020. As for landmarks marked by arrows, note Hanlon Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co. or Shipyard, blue, Great Western Power Co., green, crossing of Southern Pacific, SP, electric 7th St. line of the Western Pacific, WP, mainline, red, American Dredging Co., purple and joining of SP electric 7th St. line with SP mainline, yellow.

L232-15-Central National Bank Map, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 83537, (Image 3 of 28)

Given that Russell’s aerial go into the 1930s, this map of 1931 is provided. See the next set of details to follow.

L232-20-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives 106539, (Image 4 of 28)

Everything noted on the previous 1921 map is here, except that Hanlon, which operated at this location from 1916-1928, had sold the business to General Engineering and Drydock. The next figure will supply all the numbering assignments to confirm this, although the notations about the SP electric route is not marked by a number.

L232-25-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives,106539, Detail, (Image 5 of 28)

For this exercise and moving forward, presented here are the numbering assignments for the 1931 map. Appreciate that Great Western was merged into Pacific Gas and Electric in 1930.

L232-30-Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 106539, (Image 6 of 28)

Now back to the first image, a northwest view from 1926, this detail includes the five landmarks previously discussed. Ref: API 652_12_BOX 95

L232-35-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 7 of 28)

Continuing with a northwest view, but heading southeast in 1926, American Dredging Co. is now in the center, Government Island has made its first appearance, and the Kaiser Auditorium sits prominently by Lake Merritt. Ref: API 654_26_BOX 92

L232-40-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 8 of 28)

A detail form the previous northwest view from 1926 confirms that the business in the foreground is Crowley Shipyard and Dry Dock, or Crowley Launch and Tugboat Co., as listed on the 1931 map. The 1925 Polk’s City Guide lists the company at the foot of 14th Ave. Moving to the next image, remember the sunken hull in the bottom left corner of this image. Ref: API 654_26_BOX 92

L232-45-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, Detail, (Image 9 of 28)

Using the sunken hull from the previous image, it is now positioned to the bottom right or south of this southeast view along the Oakland side of the estuary ca. late 1920s. Smith Lumber at the foot of 18th Ave. had no relation to Charles A. Smith’s Coos Bay Lumber at the foot of 9th Ave. Just to the southeast is Bagley-Nunes’ ship building and repair operation. Ref: API 529_2_BOX 61

L232-50-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 10 of 28)

A panoramic north view from 17th-19th Aves. with Smith Lumber and Bagley-Nunes in the foreground, and San Antonio Park and First Trinity Lutheran Church, when it had a steeple, in the background. The good quality of this ca. 1930 image allows the portion along the WP right-of-way to be enlarged and spread over the next three panels. Ref: API 529_7_BOX 61

L232-55-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 11 of 28)

First, starting with a north view from 17th-18th Aves., note the street-side store fronts for these businesses would be facing E. 12th St. Ref: API 529_7_BOX 61

L232-60-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 12 of 28)

Followed by a north view from 18th-19th Aves., noting how close the parallel routes of the SP and WP were in this section. Ref: API 529_7_BOX 61

L232-65-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 13 of 28)

The series ends with this north view from 19th Ave. eastward. Ref: API 529_7_BOX 61

L232-70-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 14 of 28)

This similar southeast view ca. 1930 will be used to highlight the next set of industrial sites along the estuary. Ref: API 529_8_BOX 61

L232-75-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 15 of 28)

In the foreground is a plant that processed magnesite, or magnesium carbonate, heated and compressed to produce liquid carbon dioxide and a magnesia by-product used in paper production and for furnace linings. In the background, is California Cotton Mills, the building in the foreground lost to the Nimitz Freeway except for the brick walls seen in 2020. The multistory structure from 1917 in the background survives as Cotton Mills Studio. Ref: API 529_8_BOX 61

L232-80-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 16 of 28)

Moving to the south in the southwest view ca. 1930 is Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine Co., selling a large range of boat-ship engines in Oakland from 1916-1951 at the foot of 19th Ave. Apparently the engines were so well made, they can still be found in operation in 2020. Ref: API 529_8_BOX 61

L232-85-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 17 of 28)

A lot to digest at this point, and this image will serve as a recap to what has been covered so far. See the next detail. Northwest view, ca. 1930. Ref: API 653_4_BOX 91 thru 95

L232-90-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 18 of 28)

This detail from the previous northwest view, ca. 1930, provides a complementary view to what has just been covered, particularly in showing greater detail of the California Cotton Mills. Also note the WP’s entry onto 12th St. in the upper right quadrant, and the no. 9 streetcar crossing of the SP mainline at 23rd Ave. along the bottom border. Ref: API 653_4_BOX 91 thru 95

L232-95-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 19 of 28)

Deeper into the harbor, this north view ca. 1930 has several important Oakland businesses in view. Ref: API 531_2_BOX 40

L232-100-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 20 of 28)

The first set of buildings of interest is in the background of the north view circa 1930. Montgomery Ward’s 10 stories mix of buildings was opened in 1923 at 2825 E. 14th St., today International Blvd. Although receiving a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999, it was demolished the following year despite significant protestations. This covers the 27-29th Ave. area. Ref: API 531_2_BOX 40

L232-105-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 21 of 28)

In the is background is another engine company, Standard Gas Engine Co., focusing more on the general marine industry, including pumping and hoisting. At the level of 23rd Ave., the street at the left edge is Dennison St., with King St. running at a right angle in the background. Ref: API 531_2_BOX 40

L232-110-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 22 of 28)

Right next store was E.K. Wood, at Frederick St. and the corner of King St. Similar to the story of Charles A. Smith, Edwin K. Wood started his lumber business in the midwest, and then found greater fortunes on the west coast from Washington State to Los Angeles. He and his wife Marian Thayer moved to Oakland in 1891, and his company was incorporated in the state in 1895. See www.maritimeheritage.org/vips/thayerCA.html. Ref: API 531_2_BOX 40

L232-115-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 23 of 28)

A southeast view ca. 1939 shows Cryer’s Shipyard on the southwest corner of by Standard Gas Engine Co. According to Tim Colton’s shipbuildinghistory.com, William Cryer left England and started a shipyard in San Francisco in the 1890s, and moved it to Oakland, eventually to the Dennison St. location in 1912. They mainly worked on power boats, the business surviving until 1989. Due to contamination, the facilities remain in 2020 next to Coast Guard Island Bridge. Ref: #285 API 531_1_BOX 40

L232-120-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 24 of 28)

Further southeast from the southeast view ca. 1930 was Union Gas Engine Co., originally from San Francisco, later renamed Union Diesel Engine Co. The address was Kennedy St. and E. 7th at 23rd Ave. The huge structures to the east is, in 2020, Miller Milling, known for their energy efficient facility, but when it was built in 1920, it was a grain storage elevator known as Oakland Elevator and Mill Co. API 531_1_BOX 40

L232-125-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 25 of 28)

The section to the east of the east end of Atlas Imperial Diesel Engine Co., red arrow, to the green arrow marking Dennison St. was not addressed for lack of information and images providing clues. The blue arrow marks Livingston Pier, which like the pier to the east, Dennison Pier, was operated by the Port Commission and involved in gasoline, oil and lumber shipments. More work to be done here. Southeast view ca. 1930. Ref: API 652_7_BOX 95

L232-130-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 26 of 28)

The previous detail was derived from this southeast view ca. 1930, bringing the tour to the Park St. Bridge, a place to continue next time to discuss the bridges from this point and Alameda. A special thank you and show of appreciation to John Bosko for donating a 1925 Polk’s City Directory to the cause. Ref: API 652_7_BOX 95

L232-135-George Russell Photo, Courtesy California State Lands Commission, (Image 27 of 28)

The bonus photo is a southwest view down the estuary from Aug. 12, 1962 to compare with the initial image.

L232-140-Ed Brady-Aerospace Photo 7628, Courtesy BAERA, Western Railway Museum Archives, 150570av, (Image 28 of 28)