South Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020
1. William Byron Rumford Marker
Inscription.
William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986). . 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.
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. Marker 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.
2. William Byron Rumford (February 2, 1908 - June 12, 1986) Marker - wide view
Bother the Toler (left) and Rumford (right) markers are visible here.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 1, 2020
3. William Byron Rumford Statue (located in the median, across the street from the marker)
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 145 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 7, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.