Waterfront Warehouse District in Oakland in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Western Pacific Freight Depot

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado

1. Western Pacific Freight Depot Marker

Inscription. The photo above overlays the 1909 Western Pacific Freight Depot in its original location, arguably the catalyst for developing the Waterfront Warehouse District as an intermodal Distribution hub.

After winning a legal challenge to Southern Pacific Railroad’s 50-year stranglehold on the Oakland waterfront, Western Pacific Railroad Company inaugurated freight service in December 1909 and opened the Western Pacific Freight Office at Third and Harrison Streets. Hampered by the federal government’s seizure of railroads in December 1917, Western Pacific’s business grew very slowly. After the railroad was returned to private ownership in March 1920, Western Pacific’s fortunes turned, aided greatly by the businesses that relocated to the District to take advantage of rail and port shipping facilities. The building was demolished in the 1970s.

Western Pacific Freight Depot
Designer: Unknown
Construction Date: 1909
Architectural Style: Late 19th century utilitarian

(Marker Number 33.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1909.

Location. 37° 47.72′ N,

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122° 16.352′ W. Marker is in Oakland, California, in Alameda County. It is in the Waterfront Warehouse District. It is at the intersection of 3rd Street and Harrison Street, on the right when traveling east on 3rd Street. The orange metal and black resin marker are mounted at the street corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oakland CA 94607, 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 of this marker: Waterfront Warehouse District (within shouting distance of this marker); Poultry Producers of Central California Distribution Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Oakland Plumbing Supply, P.E. O’Hair & Co. (about 300 feet

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 4, 2023

2. Western Pacific Freight Depot Marker

away, measured in a direct line); George A. Posey Tube Oakland Portal (about 300 feet away); Fourth Street Circa 1962 (about 300 feet away); Saroni Wholesale Sugar & Rice (about 400 feet away); S&W Fine Foods Warehouse (about 400 feet away); Prime Smoked Meats (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oakland.

Other markers no longer nearby. Poultry Producers (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); American Bag Co. (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Western Pacific RR (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Oakland Plumbing (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Oakland Portal (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); Fourth St. circa 1962 (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); Davis-Parker Whse. (was about 400 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.
Inset Image:
Line up this pole with the one across the street to see where the Freight Depot once stood.

Related marker.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, July 4, 2023

3. Western Pacific Freight Depot Marker

Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Previous Western Pacific RR Marker

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 224 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.