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

Latham Square

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 10, 2020

1. Latham Square Marker

Inscription.
Latham Square is located in the historic shopping and transportation hub of downtown Oakland. The name dates from dedication of the Latham Fountain in 1913. The fountain was a gift to the City and the local SPCA from Edith and Milton Latham in honor of their parents, James and Henrietta, who were prominent local citizens and animal rights activists.

The large bowls surrounding the fountain were designed as horse troughs, with overflow running to smaller basins for dogs at the base. The basin at the top was originally a birdbath. The fountain was designed in Paris, fabricated in New York, and brought across the U.S. by train.

Latham Square has evolved over the years, with plans for its current form, constructed in 2015-16, dating back to the late 1990s. With community participation, the City expanded the plan to include a larger public plaza space and the restored Latham Fountain.

Erected 2016 by City of Oakland.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1913.

Location. 37° 48.334′ N, 122° 16.231′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It is in Downtown

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Oakland. Marker is at the intersection of Broadway 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Lathams (here, next to this marker); Crossroads (here, next to this marker); General Strike! (here, next to this marker); Uptown Saturday Night (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.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Oakland celebrates a renovated Latham Square. San Francisco Chronicle website entry (Submitted on November 21, 2020.)

Latham Square Marker - wide view, looking north in Latham Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 10, 2020

2. Latham Square Marker - wide view, looking north in Latham Square

The Latham Square marker is the closest one on the right. The Cathedral Building (completed 1914) is prominent in the background.

Latham Memorial Fountain in Latham Square image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 10, 2020

3. Latham Memorial Fountain in Latham Square

<i>Broadway and Telegraph St. Oakland Cal.</i> image. Click for full size.

postcard image courtesy of the California State Library, California History Room, circa 1940

4. Broadway and Telegraph St. Oakland Cal.

This image and the one on the marker are based on the same photo. What is now Latham Square is visible as the triangular bit of street located in front of the Cathedral Building.

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 407 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 20, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 21, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.