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

The Lathams

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 10, 2020

1. The Lathams Marker

Inscription. James and Henrietta Latham brought their family to Oakland from Virginia City, Nevada, in the late 1860s. A wealthy stockbroker, James died at age 42 and left a substantial inheritance to Henrietta and the children, Edith and Milton. Together, they became active in philanthropy, particularly animal welfare as a means to promote human kindness and international friendship.

Edith and Milton founded the Latham Foundation for the Promotion of Humane Education in 1918. Milton passed away in 1921, but Edith carried on the mission for another 30 years, including work with the Oakland public schools and broadcast media. The Kind Deeds Club, a local radio program, was followed by the Brother Buzz television program. Brother Buzz was created by famed artist and puppeteer Ralph Chessé and ran on San Francisco's KPIX from 1952 to 1969. It pioneered environmental education on television. The Latham Foundation continues its work today.

Erected 2016 by City of Oakland.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work.

Location. 37° 48.336′ N, 122° 16.23′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It is in Downtown Oakland. It is at the intersection of Broadway

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and Telegraph Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Broadway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakland CA 94612, 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: Latham Square (here, next to this marker); Uptown Saturday Night (here, next to this marker); General Strike! (here, next to this marker); Crossroads (here, next to this marker); Latham Memorial Fountain Unveiled (a few steps from this marker); Breonna Taylor (within shouting distance of this marker); 1946 General Strike (within shouting distance of this marker); Oakland City Hall (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Also see . . . Latham's Early History (Latham Foundation). (Submitted on November 20, 2020.)

The Lathams Marker - wide view, looking south on Broadway image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 10, 2020

2. The Lathams Marker - wide view, looking south on Broadway

The Latham marker is the one closest on the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 20, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.