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

1930 Where the World Comes to Oakland

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 21, 2020

1. 1930 Where the World Comes to Oakland Marker

Inscription.
The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 made way for new trade routes that led to a shipping boom in the post-war world of the 1920s. By 1925, Oakland was ready to capitalize on growing international commerce. On November 10, the people of Oakland approved a $9,960,000 bond measure to fund major improvements to the city's harbor.

Five years later, the city opened the 9th Avenue Terminal. For decades, it was used to load and unload break-bulk cargo that isn't transported in standardized containers like lumber and steel. Though its relevance diminished after containerization took over the world of shipping in the 1960s, the remains of the 9th Avenue Terminal building have been preserved as an homage to the history of the site, as well as a gathering place for the people of Oakland.

Erected 2020.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 37° 47.227′ N, 122° 15.401′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It is in Downtown Oakland. It is on 9th Avenue east of Brooklyn Basin Way, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakland CA 94606, 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

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of this marker: 1920 Moving the World's Cargo (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The History of the Site of the Shade Tree (approx. 0.3 miles away); Water & Rails / Brooklyn Basin (approx. half a mile away); History of the Alameda Belt Line (approx. 0.7 miles away); Jean Sweeney - Alameda's "Little Engine That Could" (approx. ¾ mile away); Safeway Stores Corporate Headquarters (approx. 0.9 miles away); Oakland’s Waterfront Warehouse District (approx. 0.9 miles away); Waterfront Warehouse District (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Other markers no longer nearby. Church of St. James the Apostle (was approx. 0.7 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Early Harbor (was approx. ¾ mile away but has been permanently removed); S & W Fine Foods (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. The marker is mounted to a building facade facing 9th Street in Township Commons waterfront park.

1930 Where the World Comes to Oakland Marker - wide view image. Click for more information.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, December 21, 2020

2. 1930 Where the World Comes to Oakland Marker - wide view

The marker is visible here to the left of the doorway on the facade. Although most of the terminal was dismantled and removed, the developer retained 3 sections, including the one shown here, as "ghost" frameworks to outline a portion of the remains of the 180,000 sq. foot building.
Oakland Wiki website entry
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Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 370 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.