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

Croll's

Photographed by Brock Wiley

1. Croll's Marker

Inscription.
Built in 1879 by Patrick and Ann Britt, This building was originally named the Britt Hotel.

In 1883, promoter and entrepreneur Johnny Croll purchased the saloon and soon the entire building became known as Croll's. This site was famous as the training quarters for some of the greatest fighters in boxing history, such as Bob "Ruby Rob" Fitzsimmons, James "The Boilermaker" Jeffries and Jack "The Galveston Giant" Johnson.

During this time, the South Pacific Coast Railroad was established by James "Slippery Jim" Fair, the renowned silver king. Train tracks ran alongside the building and in 1885 a station platform was added by the entrance door to make the hotel more inviting. After making a journey around Cape Horn, the magnificent mahogany bar arrived in 1902 to grace the saloon.

On July 14, 1903, a locomotive mysteriously exploded near the front of the building. The locomotive's big brass bell was hurled 300 feet and landed near the open boxing ring of James "Gentleman Jim" Corbett's training quarters at Croll's Gardens. Croll's was a frolicking epicenter during the golden years of Neptune Beach, known as "The Coney Island of the West." this historic establishment continues to offer an atmosphere of jubilation with the finest libations for visitors to this day.

Original dedication February

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

23, 1980
XSNGH Geno Fambrini
Rededicated June 24, 2023
Joaquin Murrieta
Chapter 13
E Clampus Vitus

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Sports. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 23, 1980.

Location. 37° 46.293′ N, 122° 16.598′ W. Marker is in Alameda, California, in Alameda County. It is at the intersection of Central Avenue and Central Avenue, on the right when traveling north on Central Avenue. Monument is located on the side of 1400 Bar & Grill on Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1400 Webster Street, Alameda CA 94501, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: U.S. Maritime Officers Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Transcontinental Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); 930 Pacific Avenue (approx. half a mile away); Jean Sweeney - Alameda's "Little Engine That Could" (approx. 0.8 miles away); History of the Alameda Belt Line (approx. 0.8 miles away); Wilver Dornel “Willie” Stargell (approx. one mile away); 1890 Seawall (approx. 1.1 miles away); An Era of Dramatic Change (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alameda.

Another marker is no longer

Croll's Marker - view from west image. Click for full size.

March 30, 2024

2. Croll's Marker - view from west

nearby. Skippy Peanut Butter (was approx. half a mile away but has been permanently removed).

Also see . . .
1. E Clampus Vitus Places New Plaque at Croll’s (Alameda Post, June 28, 2023).

Excerpt: On Saturday, June 24, the Joaquin Murrieta Chapter 13 of E Clampus Vitus, a fraternal organization dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of the American West, held a ceremony to install a new plaque on the side of the Croll’s Building at the corner of Webster Street and Central Avenue.

(Submitted on March 30, 2024.)

2. Croll's Plaque dedication (YouTube, 2:33). “Dennis Evanosky, Alameda Post's Historian, discusses the dedication of the new plaque on the Croll's Building in Alameda. The corrected plaque replaces one that was stolen, and was installed by E Clampus Vitus on Saturday June 24, 2023.” (Submitted on March 30, 2024.)

Croll's - view from northwest image. Click for full size.

March 30, 2024

3. Croll's - view from northwest

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 29, 2024, by Brock Wiley of Modesto, California. This page has been viewed 721 times since then and 81 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 29, 2024, by Brock Wiley of Modesto, California. 2, 3. submitted on March 30, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.