Waterfront Warehouse District in Oakland in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Saroni Wholesale Sugar & Rice
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 4, 2023
1. Saroni Wholesale Sugar & Rice Marker
Construction Date: 1922, remodeled 1992
Architectural Style: Early 20th century utilitarian
The Saroni family were San Francisco candy makers and sugar wholesalers who lost their home and business in the 1906 earthquake. After moving their operations to Oakland, they established this warehouse in 1922.
This was the first od seven warehouses built in the District for wholesale grocery businesses in the 1920s. Unlike other grocers, Saroni steadfastly stuck to just two main commodities: sugar and rice. The Saroni company occupied the premises until the 1950s. Renovations in 1992 removed the original truck bays and metal canopy and added the postmodern stucco band, but the buildings red brickwork and windows remain intact.
A National Register Historic District
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Disasters • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.
Location. 37° 47.761′ N, 122° 16.299′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It is in the Waterfront
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: Oakland Plumbing Supply, P.E. OHair & Co. (a few steps from this marker); George A. Posey Tube Oakland Portal (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth Street Circa 1962 (within shouting distance of this marker); Poultry Producers of Central California Distribution Center (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Western States Grocery (about
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 4, 2023
2. Saroni Wholesale Sugar & Rice Building and Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Fourth St. circa 1962 (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); Oakland Plumbing (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Oakland Portal (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Autocar Sales (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); C.L. Greeno Co. (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Western Pacific RR (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); American Bag Co. (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); United Grocers (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. The Waterfront Warehouse District has special covered trash cans on street corners, with historical markers atop the covers.
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 4, 2023
3. Opposite Side of A Marker/Trash Can
Credits. This page was last revised on July 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 556 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on July 5, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
