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

"Annie's Oak"

City of Berkeley Landmark

— Designated in 1986 —

"Annie's Oak" Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2009

1. "Annie's Oak" Marker

Inscription. Here a venerable oak tree was saved by Annie Maybeck (1867-1956), wife of architect Bernard Maybeck. She is said to have "marched off to city hall" to protest the cutting of native trees during street paving early in the 20th Century. She and other influential women founded the Hillside Club to promote "building with nature". The Club proclaimed that "the few native trees that have survived centuries should be jealously preserved....bend the roads, divide the lots, place the houses to accomodate them!"
The original tree - a coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia - died in 1985. It was replaced with a young tree of the same species.
Berkeley Historical Plaque Project 1998

Erected 1998 by City of Berkeley.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1985.

Location. 37° 52.595′ N, 122° 15.512′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Northside. Marker is on Leroy Avenue near Ridge Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Berkeley CA 94708, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Allenoke Manor (a few steps from this marker); Cloyne Court Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Hale Merriman Residence (about 700 feet

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away, measured in a direct line); Daley’s Scenic Park Street Improvenents (about 800 feet away); Observatory Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Jensen House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Benjamin Ide Wheeler House and Garden (approx. ¼ mile away); Hillside School (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

More about this marker. The marker is mounted on short wooden post at the base of the tree, in the middle of the street.

Regarding "Annie's Oak".
{On the Hillside Club and its philosophy...}:
"The club was dedicated to a new kind of urban development that would respect rather than destroy the natural environment. In the North Berkeley hills, club members were determined to retain the natural topography and produce 'artistic homes that appear to have grown out of the hillside and to be part of it.' They opposed streets laid out on the grid plan, calling instead for winding lanes that followed the contour of the land. They also advocated a network of pedestrian paths and fought any attempts to cut down the region's trees." - Charles

"Annie's Oak" Marker - Wide Shot Showing the Marker and the "New" Oak image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 26, 2009

2. "Annie's Oak" Marker - Wide Shot Showing the Marker and the "New" Oak

Wollenberg, Berkeley: A City in History

"Annie's Oak" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Diane Phillips

3. "Annie's Oak"

Photographed By Diane Phillips

4. "Annie's Oak" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 3, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,272 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 3, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3, 4. submitted on July 28, 2020, by Diane Phillips of Pittsburg, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.