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
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
this page online
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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance 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. Ύ mile away); Safeway Stores Corporate Headquarters (approx. 0.9 miles away); Oaklands Waterfront Warehouse District (approx. 0.9 miles away); Waterfront Warehouse District
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
Click for more information.
Oakland Wiki website entry
Click for more information.
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. Ύ 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.
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 373 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 22, 2020, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
