Richmond in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Critchett Hotel

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 19, 2011

1. The Critchett Hotel Marker

Inscription. 160 Washington Avenue
site of
The Critchett Hotel
Built in 1900 - 25 rooms
Often called "Mechanics Hotel"

This was a first class hotel with a splendid dining hall built and owned by Frank Critchett. The land was donated by John Nicholl to provide housing with meeting rooms and shops downstairs for Santa Fe Railroad workers. Local citizens met here in 1905 to organize the City of Richmond. Later called Colorado Rooms.

Erected by Point Richmond History Association Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 37° 55.584′ N, 122° 23.151′ W. Marker is in Richmond, California, in Contra Costa County. It is at the intersection of Washington Avenue and West Richmond Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Washington Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 160 Washington Avenue, Richmond CA 94801, 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.

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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: Bank of Richmond (a few steps from this marker); The Richmond Supply Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker); First City Hall of Richmond (within shouting distance of this marker); Women's Westside Improvement Club (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Sentinel" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Our Lady of Mercy Church (about 400 feet away); By Land and By Sea (approx. 0.4 miles away); El Toro (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Also see . . . A Brief History of Point Richmond. The Point Richmond History Association's brief history of the community, written by Donna Roselius. On the settlement of Point Richmond, "... The boomtown, now officially part of the mainland town of Richmond, grew faster
0610-DC, Courtesy of the Point Richmond History Association

2. The Critchett Hotel (date unknown)
than buildings could be built. Tents provided temporary housing for Santa Fe and Standard Oil workers while hastily constructed hotels and boarding houses popped up from semi-solid land. The first really permanent building was the Critchett Hotel, at the corner of West Richmond and Washington Avenues (now the site of the Point Richmond Market)...." (Submitted on December 14, 2011.)

The Point Richmond Market - site of the former Critchett Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, November 27, 2011

3. The Point Richmond Market - site of the former Critchett Hotel

The marker is visible here mounted to the right of the entrance to the market.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 774 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 14, 2011, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.