North Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Whittier School

Dragon, Schmidts, Hardman and Officer, Associated Architects, 1939

— Chester Bowles, Jr. and Associates, 1994 —

Whittier School Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 5, 2012

1. Whittier School Marker

Inscription. City of Berkeley Landmark
designated in 1984 This reinforced concrete Moderne-style building replaced an 1892 wood frame school. Faculty of the original school planted the five Coast Redwoods at the southwestern edge of the school grounds. The structure is notable for its molded detailing, fluted columns, curve balconies, and rooftop sun deck. Spacious classrooms with large operable windows expressed an early 20th-century emphasis on the healthful benefits of sunlight and fresh air.

Changes to the building’s Depression-era design occurred during an extensive structural renovation in 1994. The school was named after the American poet John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892).

Erected 2000 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1984.

Location. 37° 52.586′ N, 122° 16.231′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in North Berkeley. Marker is on Virginia Street west of Shattuck Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2180 Virginia Street, Berkeley CA 94709, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Poetry Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line);

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Birthplace of the Asian American Movement (approx. 0.2 miles away); North Berkeley Congregational (Grace North) Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Juice Bar Collective (approx. 0.3 miles away); Peet’s Coffee & Tea (approx. 0.3 miles away); The 1923 Berkeley Fire (approx. 0.3 miles away); Ohlone Dog Park (approx. 0.3 miles away); Shattuck Square (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 5, 2012

2. Whittier School Marker

The marker is to the left of the steps.

Whittier School image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 5, 2012

3. Whittier School

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 5, 2012

4. Whittier School

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 7, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 567 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 7, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.