Livermore in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
D. F. Bernal Building
Built Circa 1910
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 5, 2009
1. D. F. Bernal Building Marker
Constructed with bricks salvaged from the Livermore Brewery, built 1874, destroyed by fire 1908City of Livermore Historic Preservation Landmark Site
Dedicated July 1996
Erected 1996 by City of Livermore.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.
Location. 37° 40.849′ N, 121° 46.145′ W. Marker is in Livermore, California, in Alameda County. Marker is at the intersection of 2nd Street and S K Street, on the right when traveling west on 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2152 2nd Street, Livermore CA 94550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Raboli Winery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Odd Fellows Building (about 300 feet away); First Library Building (about 300 feet away); Raboli Cottage (about 300 feet away); Carnegie Library (about 400 feet away); Masonic Building (about 400 feet away); Livermore Flagpole (about 400 feet away); Frank S. Fennon House (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Livermore.
this page online
Also see . . . Livermore's Centennial Light. A history of the 100+ year old light bulb that was donated by Dennis Bernal to the Livermore Fire Department. (Submitted on April 12, 2009.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 5, 2009
2. D. F. Bernal Building Marker
Just two blocks from here, on First Street, stood the Livermore Brewery, owned by Wendell Jordan from 1875 until he met his untimely death in January 1901 when he fell into a vat of boiling malt. Dennis F Bernal bought the brewery from his widow in June 1901. The brewery lasted until November 1908, when it was destroyed by fire. Bernal and his family, who had been living above the brewery, survived the fire, as did Mrs. Bernal's savings of $2,000 in gold coins, which had been hidden in a receptacle behind the chimney. The brewery's bricks found a second life in the construction of this building.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 5, 2009
3. D. F. Bernal Building - View from Southeast
Dennis Bernal is also known as the donor of what is (at least as of 2007 and certified in the Guinness Book of World Records) the oldest known working light bulb. In 1901, Bernal, the owner of the Livermore Power and Light Company, donated the 4-watt handblown bulb with carbon filament to Livermore's fire department.
The D.F. Bernal building is now the home of Tommie's Deli and Sandwiches.
The D.F. Bernal building is now the home of Tommie's Deli and Sandwiches.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,777 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
