Alameda in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
They Brought Alameda the News
Paul's Newstand Re-dedicated April 30, 2011
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 11, 2020
1. They Brought Alameda the News Marker
Inscription.
They Brought Alameda the News. Paul's Newstand Re-dedicated April 30, 2011. NEWSPAPERS were the main source of public information before the introduction of radio and television. The Bay Area was home to several daily newspapers and the larger publishers produced as many as five editions released throughout the day. In Alameda, newsboys claimed territories at stations along the train and streetcar routes serving the commuter ferries. Busy commercial districts were also prime locations to sell the news.
NEWSBOY JOE
Joseph Roschitsch, known to family and friends as "Joe", was the oldest child of Max and Katherine Roschitsch, immigrants from Austria. The family settled in Alameda at 1832 San Antonio Avenue where they raised seven children. Joe sold newspapers at Chestnut Station in the morning, crossing town to sell the later paper at the corner of Santa Clara Avenue and Park Street. Known for his small stature and shuffling walk, he kept to his schedule rain or shine, contributing to the support of his family.
TEMPERATURE REACHES 100 DEGREE MARK AGAIN
Oakland Tribune: September 22, 1939 ,
A prolonged heat spell hit the Bay Area in the fall of 1939, making the headlines. Joe himself fainted while on duty and was revived by passing friends. He completed his day's work and went home, unable to return on Saturday morning. That evening, September 23, 1939, he died at the age of 28 a victim of heat prostration. As a tribute, the Park Street merchants placed a floral wreath upon a corner news rack leaning against the pole. The Alameda Times-Star stated, "He died Saturday night as he lived, with a smile on his face. It was that smile, which accompanied every paper he sold, that won him thousands of friends in the 15 years he sold papers at Santa Clara Avenue and Park Street.” Hundreds of Alamedans attended his funeral at Saint Joseph's Church.
SHELTER FOR NEWSY COMPLETED
Alameda Times-Star: January 2, 1940
Following Joe's loss, the newsstand was built in December, 1939 for the next news vendor to claim this highly traveled corner -Paul Manning. A native of Pennsylvania, Manning was confined to a wheelchair after losing the use of his legs in an automobile accident in 1922. The sale of newspapers supported his family which included three young children. Park Street merchants, propelled by John J. Mulvany, Vice President of the Bank of America, and city officials, provided materials for the stand. Mr. Mulvany regularly bought morning newspapers from Paul and felt badly for him sitting out in the rain. The building was constructed by boys learning the carpenter's trade in a workshop run by the National Youth Administration, a New Deal agency operated as part of the federal government's Works Progress Administration (WPA).
NEWS DEALER IS HAPPY OVER GIFT
Oakland Tribune: July 22, 1942
Previously equipped with electric light, heat, and a radio, the newsstand received a public address system in 1942 so that Manning could broadcast breaking stories. During World War II, the newsstand was a major gathering point for Alamedans eager for news of the war. Paul Manning operated the business until his death on July 25, 1949, whereupon it was run by members of his family until the late 1980s.
HISTORIC NEWSSTAND RE-BORN
Alameda Sun: August 18, 2006
Over the ensuing years, several vendors sold daily papers from the stand. In 2006 Larry Trippy, a former Marine from New York, took over the job. Affectionately called the "Prince of Park Street,” Larry was well-known and well-liked. According to the Park Street Business Association publication Straight from the Street, "Larry always had a happy face and a kind word for anyone who walked by the newsstand, whether you bought a paper or not." Alameda was saddened when Larry suddenly passed away on February 9, 2010. As with the keepers of the stand before him, the district was missing a familiar icon with his passing. Paul's Newsstand is an Alameda institution-the last of its kind. With the public's support and respect it will continue to be a place to read the news, have a conversation, and exchange a smile, as it has been for so many years.
Historical marker made possible by the family of Joe Roschtisch, the San Francisco Chronicle, Alameda Museum, and Alameda Architectural Society. , Story and Design: Valerie Turpen, Marker Creation: Gil Garitano, Photos: Jack Lubeck, Cheryl Berg, and David J. Duffin ,
NEWSPAPERS were the main source of
public information before the introduction
of radio and television. The Bay Area was
home to several daily newspapers and the
larger publishers produced as many as five
editions released throughout the day. In
Alameda, newsboys claimed territories
at stations along the train and streetcar
routes serving the commuter ferries.
Busy commercial districts were also prime
locations to sell the news.
NEWSBOY JOE
Joseph Roschitsch, known to family and
friends as "Joe", was the oldest child of
Max and Katherine Roschitsch, immigrants
from Austria. The family settled in
Alameda at 1832 San Antonio Avenue
where they raised seven children. Joe sold
newspapers at Chestnut Station in the
morning, crossing town to sell the later
paper at the corner of Santa Clara Avenue
and Park Street. Known for his small
stature and shuffling walk, he kept to
his schedule rain or shine, contributing
to the support of his family.
TEMPERATURE REACHES 100 DEGREE MARK AGAIN
Oakland Tribune: September 22, 1939
A prolonged heat spell hit the Bay Area
in the fall of 1939, making the headlines.
Joe himself fainted while on duty and was
revived by passing friends. He completed
his day's work and went home, unable to
return on Saturday morning. That evening,
September
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23, 1939, he died at the age of
28 a victim of heat prostration.
As a tribute, the Park Street merchants
placed a floral wreath upon a corner
news rack leaning against the pole.
The Alameda Times-Star stated, "He died
Saturday night as he lived, with a smile
on his face. It was that smile, which
accompanied every paper he sold, that won
him thousands of friends in the 15 years he
sold papers at Santa Clara Avenue and Park
Street.” Hundreds of Alamedans attended
his funeral at Saint Joseph's Church.
SHELTER FOR NEWSY COMPLETED
Alameda Times-Star: January 2, 1940
Following Joe's loss, the newsstand was
built in December, 1939 for the next news
vendor to claim this highly traveled corner
-Paul Manning. A native of Pennsylvania,
Manning was confined to a wheelchair
after losing the use of his legs in an
automobile accident in 1922. The sale of
newspapers supported his family which
included three young children.
Park Street merchants, propelled by
John J. Mulvany, Vice President of the Bank
of America, and city officials, provided
materials for the stand. Mr. Mulvany
regularly bought morning newspapers from
Paul and felt badly for him sitting out in
the rain. The building was constructed by
boys learning the carpenter's trade in a
workshop run by the National Youth
Administration, a New Deal agency
operated as part of the federal
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 11, 2020
2. Newsstand and Marker
government's
Works Progress Administration (WPA).
NEWS DEALER IS HAPPY OVER GIFT
Oakland Tribune: July 22, 1942
Previously equipped with electric light,
heat, and a radio, the newsstand received
a public address system in 1942 so that
Manning could broadcast breaking stories.
During World War II, the newsstand was
a major gathering point for Alamedans
eager for news of the war. Paul Manning
operated the business until his death on
July 25, 1949, whereupon it was run by
members of his family until the late 1980s.
HISTORIC NEWSSTAND RE-BORN
Alameda Sun: August 18, 2006
Over the ensuing years, several vendors
sold daily papers from the stand. In 2006
Larry Trippy, a former Marine from
New York, took over the job. Affectionately
called the "Prince of Park Street,” Larry
was well-known and well-liked. According
to the Park Street Business Association
publication Straight from the Street, "Larry
always had a happy face and a kind word
for anyone who walked by the newsstand,
whether you bought a paper or not."
Alameda was saddened when Larry
suddenly passed away on February 9, 2010.
As with the keepers of the stand before
him, the district was missing a familiar
icon with his passing.
Paul's Newsstand is an Alameda
institution-the last of its kind. With the
public's support and respect it will
continue to be
a place to read the news,
have a conversation, and exchange a smile,
as it has been for so many years.
Historical marker made possible by the family of Joe Roschtisch, the San Francisco Chronicle, Alameda Museum, & Alameda Architectural Society.
Story & Design: Valerie Turpen, Marker Creation: Gil Garitano, Photos: Jack Lubeck, Cheryl Berg, & David J. Duffin
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is September 23, 1939.
Location. 37° 45.93′ N, 122° 14.519′ W. Marker is in Alameda, California, in Alameda County. Marker is at the intersection of Santa Clara Avenue and Park Street, on the right when traveling north on Santa Clara Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alameda CA 94501, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2020. It was originally submitted on February 11, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 12, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
