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

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Oakland Portal

Oakland Waterfront Warehouse District

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

1. Oakland Portal Marker

Inscription. The Oakland Portal's elaborate Beaux Arts façade conceals eight massive fans that draw in fresh air and expel foul air to prevent carbon monoxide buildup in the George A. Posey Tube, an underwater automobile tunnel that runs under Harrison Street between the cities of Oakland and Alameda. One block west sits the Webster Tube Portal, a 1963 structure that serves the same function as the more decorative Oakland Portal. At the time of its construction, the Posey Tube was the largest underground tunnel in the world. George Lucas filmed a scene in the tunnel for THX 1138, Lucas's first feature film.

Designer Henry H. Meyers • Construction Date 1925-28
Architectural Style Beaux Arts derivative/Art Deco

Erected by Jack London Neighborhood Association. (Marker Number 26.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Bridges & Viaducts. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1963.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 47.772′ N, 122° 16.327′ W. Marker was in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It was in Produce and Waterfront. It was at the

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

intersection of Fourth Street and Harrison Street on Fourth Street. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 300 Fourth Street, 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: Fourth Street Circa 1962 (here, next to this marker); George A. Posey Tube Oakland Portal (a few steps from this marker); Oakland Plumbing Supply, P.E. O’Hair & Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); Saroni Wholesale Sugar & Rice (within shouting distance of this marker); Poultry Producers of Central California Distribution Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Western Pacific Freight Depot (about 300 feet away); Waterfront Warehouse District (about 400 feet away); Western States Grocery (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Other markers no longer nearby. Oakland Plumbing (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Fourth St. circa 1962 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Western Pacific RR (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently

Oakland Portal and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

2. Oakland Portal and Marker

The marker is visible here on the left, forming the top part of the trash receptacle. The north and west sides of the Oakland Portal are shown here.

removed); Poultry Producers (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); American Bag Co. (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Autocar Sales (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); C.L. Greeno Co. (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Replacement George A. Posey Tube Oakland Portal Marker

Also see . . . Posey and Webster Street tubes (Wikipedia). "The Posey tube and the Webster Street tube are two parallel underwater tunnels connecting the cities of Oakland and Alameda, California, running beneath the Oakland Estuary. Both are immersed tubes, constructed by sinking precast concrete segments to a trench in the Estuary floor, then sealing them together to create a tunnel. The Posey tube carries Oakland-bound traffic under the Estuary, while the Webster tube carries traffic bound for Alameda. The Posey tube is the second-oldest underwater vehicular tunnel in the US, preceded only by the Holland Tunnel." (Submitted on February 16, 2020.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker Replaced
The historical markers in

Oakland Portal - east side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

3. Oakland Portal - east side

the Waterfront Warehouse District have been updated. A different marker on the same subject has been placed across the street from where this one was located.

— Submitted July 9, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 3,933 times since then and 371 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.