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

William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986)

William Byron Rumford Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

1. William Byron Rumford Marker

Inscription. William Byron Rumford was a phamacist who worked on this very block. In 1948 he was elected to the California State Assembly becoming the first African American elected to any public office in Northern California. He took the lead in passing California's major civil rights Acts including the 1959 Fair Employment Practices Act and the 1963 Rumford Fair Housing Act which then became models for national civil rights legislation. He has been referred to as the Jackie Robinson of politics.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is June 12, 1986.

Location. 37° 51.238′ N, 122° 16.737′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in South Berkeley. It is at the intersection of Sacramento Street and Julia Street, on the right when traveling north on Sacramento Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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,

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: Burl Toler, Sr. (here, next to this marker); Santa Fe Railroad Tracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Rumford's Pharmacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Exxon Super Service Station (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.

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William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986) Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

2. William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986) Marker - wide view

Bother the Toler (left) and Rumford (right) markers are visible here.

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

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

3. William Byron Rumford Statue (located in the median, across the street from the marker)

William Byron Rumford Clinic image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020

4. William Byron Rumford Clinic

Formerly his pharmacy, directly across the street from the marker is the clinic named after him.

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 477 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 7, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.