Produce and Waterfront in Oakland in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Western States

Oakland Waterfront Warehouse District

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

1. Western States Marker

Inscription. Western States Grocery Company roasted over 250,000 pounds of coffee a year in the basement of this warehouse. In addition to coffee, Western States distributed a full line of grocery products. Western States competed on price (“one case or a hundred, the same price"). This four-story warehouse was situated along a Western Pacific Railroad spur line, allowing Western States to buy in huge quantities and reach retail grocery stores from southern Oregon to southern California and west to Nebraska. Safeway Stores and Western States shared this warehouse until Safeway completed its warehouse and corporate headquarters next door in 1929. Safeway eventually purchased Western States.

Designer Couchot, Rosenwald & Roeth • Construction Date 1926, remodeled 1991
Architectural Style Early 20th century utilitarian

Erected by Jack London Neighborhood Association. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1929.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 47.728′ N, 122° 16.239′ W. Marker was in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It was in Produce

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and Waterfront. It was at the intersection of Fourth Street and Alice Street, on the left when traveling north on Fourth Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Oakland CA 94607, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

and on the Coast Ranges.

It was also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it was in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Autocar Sales & Service Co. (here, next to this marker); C.L. Greeno Pacific Coast Headquarters (a few steps from this marker); United Grocers Ltd. Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Western States Grocery (within shouting distance of this marker); Prime Smoked Meats (within shouting distance of this marker); Former Safeway Headquarters (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); S&W Fine Foods Warehouse (about 300 feet away); Saroni Wholesale Sugar & Rice (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Other markers no longer nearby. United Grocers (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); C.L. Greeno Co. (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Autocar Sales (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Davis-Parker Whse.

Western States Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

2. Western States Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here, forming the top of the trash receptacle on the corner, with the Western States building forming the background.

(was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Safeway Stores (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Fourth St. circa 1962 (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Replacement Western States Grocery Marker

Additional commentary.
1. Marker Replaced
The historical markers in the Waterfront Warehouse District have been updated. A different marker on the same subject has been placed kitty-corner from where this one was located.

— Submitted July 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 324 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 16, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.