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

Rumford's Pharmacy

Berkeley History

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, August 6, 2020

1. Rumford's Pharmacy Marker

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 marker is

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 37° 51.23′ N, 122° 16.764′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Southwest Berkeley. It 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.

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,

on 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: Santa Fe Railroad Tracks (a few steps from this marker); Exxon Super Service Station (within shouting distance of this marker); William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986)

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

Photographed 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.

(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); San Pablo Tennis Club (approx. 0.3 miles away); Longfellow School (approx. 0.3 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 African American elected to a state public office in Northern California." (Submitted on August 7, 2020.)

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

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

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

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

Photographed 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 February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 639 times since then and 83 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 7, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.