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

California Memorial Stadium

— War Memorial —

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 24, 2025

1. California Memorial Stadium Marker

Inscription.
In Memory of Californians who gave their lives in the World War, 1914 – 1918.
November 1923

Erected 1923.

Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I.

Location. 37° 52.309′ N, 122° 15.097′ W. Memorial is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It can be reached from Gridiron Way. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 1923 Gridiron Way, Berkeley CA 94704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial 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: John Fitzgerald Kennedy Charter Day Speech (a few steps from this marker); The Greatest Play in College Football History (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Piedmont Way (about 800 feet away); Ernest V. Cowell Memorial Hospital (approx. 0.2 miles away); International House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Panoramic Hill (approx. ¼ mile away); Orchard Lane (approx. ¼ mile away); Gilman Hall (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

More about this memorial. The inscription is located just inside the north tunnel wall. The tunnel is publicly accessible during daytime hours.

Also see . . .
1. California Memorial Stadium.

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The stadium was completed in time for the Big Game of 1923 at a total cost of $1,437,982. Included in the initial construction were 12,000 barrels of cement, 1.1 million feet of lumber for concrete forms, 8,000 cubic yards of rock, 4,000 cubic yards of sand, 600 tons of steel and 800,000 feet of premium lumber, which was used for seating.

In December 2010, California Memorial Stadium began a 21-month renovation to bring the facility up to modern standards and create a seismically safe environment for years to come. The result is a state-of-the-art venue that meets the needs of fans, student-athletes, coaches and anyone else paying a visit to Strawberry Canyon.

Originally dedicated to Californians who gave their lives in the World War, California Memorial Stadium reopened in 2012 and was rededicated to all Californians who have sacrificed their lives in service to the nation.

(Submitted on September 6, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

2. Stadium now a memorial to all fallen Californians.

October 9, 2012

When California Memorial Stadium first opened in 1923, its higher purpose — besides football, that is — was spelled out by an inscription in the north tunnel: “In memory of Californians who gave their lives in the World War 1914-1918.”

At a halftime ceremony held on the 50-yard line during Saturday’s
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 24, 2025

2. California Memorial Stadium Marker
Homecoming game against UCLA, Chancellor Robert Birgeneau and Athletic Director Sandy Barbour were joined by representatives of the U.S. armed forces in rededicating the newly renovated arena to the fallen of subsequent wars as well. A new plaque, added to the north tunnel, reads, “In memory of all Californians who have sacrificed their lives in service to our nation.”

(Submitted on September 6, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

California Memorial Stadium image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 24, 2025

3. California Memorial Stadium

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 24, 2025

4. California Memorial Stadium

Credits. This page was last revised on November 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 54 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 6, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.