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

Historic "Lorin District"

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

1. Historic "Lorin District" Marker

Inscription. South Berkeley was originally settled by Coast Indians. After Spanish conquest in the 1700s, large land tracts were held by the Peralta, Ashby and Harmon families.

Transportation has been a key factor in Lorin's history. Gov. Stanford installed rail tracks on Shattuck, Adeline, and Stanford in 1876 linking Berkeley to Oakland. The "Lorin Station” stop was at Adeline and Alcatraz. Another stop, "Newbury Station", was at Ashby and Shattuck. Lorin was annexed by Berkeley in 1892.

Prior to WWII, the area was populated primarily by Japanese immigrants and Black migrants from the south. Growing from its quiet suburban status to a residential and market center, South Berkeley's commercial activity has continually served the needs of local residents.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1876.

Location. 37° 50.936′ N, 122° 16.267′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Upper Telegraph. It is at the intersection of Adeline Avenue and Alcatraz Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Adeline Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Berkeley CA 94703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is 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 finds 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 marker: South Berkeley Bank (within shouting distance of

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this marker); Lorin Theater (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Reid's Records (approx. 0.4 miles away); Exxon Super Service Station (approx. half a mile away); William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986) (approx. 0.6 miles away); Burl Toler, Sr. (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rumford's Pharmacy (approx. 0.6 miles away); Santa Fe Railroad Tracks (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Black Panther's First Office (was approx. half a mile away but has been confirmed missing).

Historic "Lorin District" Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

2. Historic "Lorin District" Marker - wide view

Photographed by Ed Aust, April 20, 2023

3. Lorin Mural

Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,059 times since then and 75 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 3. submitted on April 23, 2023, by Ed Aust of Oakland, California.