Aquatic Park in Berkeley in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Site of Pump House - Peet Brothers/Colgate Palmolive
Berkeley History
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 19, 2012
1. Site of Pump House Marker
Inscription.
Site of Pump House - Peet Brothers/Colgate Palmolive. Berkeley History. In the early 20th century, a thriving manufacturing district grew up in southwest Berkeley. This is the site of a former saltwater pump house, located on what was once the east shoreline of San Francisco Bay. The pumps supplied water used in the production of soap at the Peet Brothers Soap Company plant located a quarter of a mile from here. Remnants of the saltwater pipelines are visible on the west embankment of the Southern Pacific railway track. The Peet Company, which began in 1916, later merged with Colgate and Palmolive. The plant continued to manufacture soap, glycerin, detergents, cosmetics, and related products until it closed in 1982. In 2000, Bayer Corporation purchased the plant property and constructed this platform and walkway. They have donated it to the City of Berkeley for public enjoyment.
In the early 20th century, a thriving manufacturing district grew up in southwest Berkeley. This is the site of a former saltwater pump house, located on what was once the east shoreline of San Francisco Bay. The pumps supplied water used in the production of soap at the Peet Brothers Soap Company plant located a quarter of a mile from here. Remnants of the saltwater pipelines are visible on the west embankment of the Southern Pacific railway track. The Peet Company, which began in 1916, later merged with Colgate and Palmolive. The plant continued to manufacture soap, glycerin, detergents, cosmetics, and related products until it closed in 1982. In 2000, Bayer Corporation purchased the plant property and constructed this platform and walkway. They have donated it to the City of Berkeley for public enjoyment.
Erected 2004 by City of Berkeley Waterfront Commission/ Berkeley Historical Plaques Project.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.
Location. 37° 51.314′ N, 122° 17.855′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda
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County. It is in Aquatic Park. It can be reached from San Francisco Bay Trail near Shellmound Street. This marker is located in Berkeley's Aquatic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Berkeley CA 94710, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Harpoon Cannon (was approx. 0.9 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 19, 2012
3. Site of Pump House Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 20, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 2,084 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on April 20, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
