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

Rumford's Pharmacy

Berkeley History

By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 6, 2020

1. Rumford's Pharmacy Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In the 1930s pharmacist and civil rights activist Dr. William Byron Rumford (1908–1986) served as the first black professional at Oakland's Highland Hospital. In 1942 he purchased a pharmacy in Berkeley and, after constructing this building, launched Rumford's Pharmacy here in 1951.

Rumford became the first African-American elected in Northern California to the State legislature in 1948. He authored major civil rights legislative measures including the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1959 and the Rumford Fair Housing Act of 1963. His legislative work paved the way for the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1968.

When not in the legislature Rumford was here, in his pharmacy. It became a key hub for African-Americans involved in civic matters, serving as informal headquarters for many emerging black politicians. Rumford retired in 1981. After his death his family agreed this building would become a non-profit community health clinic. In 2016 Rumford's life and legacy were memorialized with a nearby sculpture.

Erected 2017 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.

Topics. This historical

Rumford's Pharmacy Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 6, 2020

2. Rumford's Pharmacy Marker - wide view

The marker is mounted to the south side of the former pharmacy, now a non-profit medical clinic.

marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine.

Location. 37° 51.23′ N, 122° 16.764′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. Marker is on Sacramento Street north of Ashby Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2960 Sacramento Street, Berkeley CA 94702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986) (within shouting distance of this marker); Burl Toler, Sr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Reid's Records (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frances Albrier (approx. ¼ mile away); Longfellow School (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Berkeley Bank (approx. 0.6 miles away); Historic "Lorin District" (approx. 0.6 miles away); Lorin Theater (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Also see . . . William Byron Rumford (Wikipedia). "William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 – June 12, 1986) was an American pharmacist and politician. He was the first

William Byron Rumford Statue (across the street from the marker) image. Click for full size.

By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

3. William Byron Rumford Statue (across the street from the marker)

African American elected to a state public office in Northern California." (Submitted on August 7, 2020.)

Rumford plaque at foot of his statue <i>(click to enlarge)</i> image. Click for full size.

By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

4. Rumford plaque at foot of his statue (click to enlarge)

Pharmacist · Community Leader · Politician, Environmentalist · Public Health Advocate

<i>William Byron Rumford speaking into a microphone.</i> image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy of the Bancroft Library, University of California at Berkeley

5. William Byron Rumford speaking into a microphone.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California. This page has been viewed 46 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 7, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Sacramento, California.