Elmwood in Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Bill's Trading Post and Gem Gallery
Berkeley History
— A.W. Smith, Architect and Builder, 1923 —
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 6, 2020
1. Bill's Trading Post and Gem Gallery Marker
Inscription.
Bill's Trading Post and Gem Gallery. Berkeley History. Bill Gulley started "Bill's Model Shoe Shop” here in 1934, after his previous business enterprise of bootlegging ended with the repeal of Prohibition. When he died in 1966, his daughter, Mary Jane "Peggy” Casey, and her daughters created Bill's Trading Post and the adjacent Gem Gallery. The business became nationally known for its handcrafted Native American jewelry, textiles, ceremonial objects and art, as well as its support of Native American causes. Mary Jane Casey (1925–2017) was a leading Berkeley businesswoman and served as president of the Elmwood Merchants Association.
A.W. Smith was a prolific designer and builder of residential and commercial properties in Berkeley and Oakland dur- ing the early part of the twentieth century. This one-story building follows the pattern of the two-block long Elmwood commercial district with traditional inset storefronts and clerestory windows above.
Bill Gulley started "Bill's Model Shoe Shop” here in 1934,
after his previous business enterprise of bootlegging ended
with the repeal of Prohibition. When he died in 1966, his
daughter, Mary Jane "Peggy” Casey, and her daughters created
Bill's Trading Post and the adjacent Gem Gallery. The business became nationally known for its handcrafted Native
American jewelry, textiles, ceremonial objects and art, as well
as its support of Native American causes. Mary Jane Casey
(1925–2017) was a leading Berkeley businesswoman and
served as president of the Elmwood Merchants Association.
A.W. Smith was a prolific designer and builder of residential
and commercial properties in Berkeley and Oakland dur-
ing the early part of the twentieth century. This one-story
building follows the pattern of the two-block long Elmwood
commercial district with traditional inset storefronts and
clerestory windows above.
Erected 2018 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 37° 51.454′ N, 122° 15.18′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Elmwood. Marker is on College Avenue north of
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Ashby Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2945 College Avenue, Berkeley CA 94705, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 6, 2020
2. Bill's Trading Post and Gem Gallery Marker - wide view
The marker is visible here between the Trading Post and Gem Gallery storefronts.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 182 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.