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

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Western Pacific RR

Oakland Waterfront Warehouse District

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

1. Western Pacific RR Marker

Inscription. After winning a legal challenge to Southern Pacific Railroad's 50-year stranglehold on the Oakland waterfront, Western Pacific Railroad Company inaugurated freight service in December 1909 and opened the Western Pacific Freight Office at Third and Harrison Streets. Hampered by the federal government's seizure of railroads in December 1917, Western Pacific's business grew slowly. After the railroad was returned to private ownership in March 1920, Western Pacific's fortunes turned, aided greatly by the businesses that relocated to the District to take advantage of rail and Port shipping facilities. The building was demolished in the 1970s.

Designer Unknown • Construction Date Circa 1909
Architectural Style Late 19th century utilitarian

Erected by Jack London Neighborhood Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1920.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 47.725′ N, 122° 16.332′ W. Marker was in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It was in Produce and Waterfront. Marker was at the intersection of Third Street and Harrison Street, on the

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right when traveling north on Third Street. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Oakland CA 94607, United States of America.

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

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Poultry Producers of Central California Distribution Center (here, next to this marker); Waterfront Warehouse District (a few steps from this marker); Western Pacific Freight Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Oakland Plumbing Supply, P.E. O’Hair & Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); George A. Posey Tube Oakland Portal (within shouting distance of this marker); Saroni Wholesale Sugar & Rice (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fourth Street Circa 1962 (about 300 feet away); S&W Fine Foods Warehouse (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Replacement Western Pacific Freight Depot Marker

Also see . . . Western Pacific Railroad (Wikipedia). "The Western Pacific Railroad (reporting mark WP) was a Class I railroad in the United

Western Pacific RR Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, February 13, 2020

2. Western Pacific RR Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here, forming the top part of the trash receptacle on the corner.

States. It was formed in 1903 as an attempt to break the near-monopoly the Southern Pacific Railroad had on rail service into northern California. WP's Feather River Route directly competed with SP's portion of the Overland Route for rail traffic between Salt Lake City/Ogden, Utah, and Oakland, California, for nearly 80 years. In 1982, the Western Pacific was acquired by the Union Pacific Corporation and it was soon merged into their Union Pacific Railroad. The Western Pacific was one of the original operators of the California Zephyr." (Submitted on February 16, 2020.)

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 12, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

<i>Western Pacific RR: 1st train into Oakland, 1910</i> image. Click for full size.

Oakland Chamber of Commerce (courtesy of the Oakland Public Library), circa 1910

3. Western Pacific RR: 1st train into Oakland, 1910

"...Depicts celebration at station, 3rd west of Broadway. The locomotive, numbered 92, is 4-6-0 type. The image was published in Oakland, California, pub. for the Oakland Chamber of Commerce by the Sunset Magazine Homeseekers' Bureau, 1911...."

Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 16, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 16, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.