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

The Japanese Teahouse

Cultural Connection Since 1907

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 7, 2014

1. The Japanese Teahouse Marker

Captions: 1543 – Japanese Tea Garden, Piedmont Park, Oakland, California (postcard, top right); The first teahouse was once the largest one in the United States (center right); The present teahouse was move from the Leander Redmon estate to the park in 1976. (bottom right).

Inscription. Look carefully. Comparing today’s Japanese Tea House with early pictures, you will notice many differences. The first tea house in Piedmont Park was built by Frank C. Havens and opened on June 30, 1907. It was a replica of the late-fifteenth century Silver Pavilion in Kyoto, Japan and was the largest of its kind in the United States. To the rear of the tea house were a koi pond, moon bridge and Japanese style garden.

When the City of Piedmont acquired the park in the 1920s, it tore down the tea house and many other park features to make room for a new master plan for civic center.

In 1976 the City of Piedmont received the gift of a new tea house through the efforts of the Piedmont Beautification Foundation. When the Leander Redmon estate on Magnolia Avenue was razed to build a new Piedmont Middle School, the foundation provided funds to move the estate’s tea house to Piedmont Park. The new tea house was place near the site of the original. It continues to be used today for both public and private events.

Erected by Piedmont Beautification Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1898.

Location. 37° 49.422′ N, 122° 13.812′

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W. Marker is in Piedmont, California, in Alameda County. It can be reached from Highland Avenue, on the right. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 711 Highland Avenue, Oakland CA 94611, 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: Piedmont Art Gallery (within shouting distance of this marker); Piedmont Springs Clubhouse & Cafe (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Piedmont Springs Hotel (about 500 feet away); Honor Roll (about 700 feet away); Piedmont Park History Trail (about 700 feet away); World War I Memorial (about 700 feet away); The Cascade (about 700 feet away); Faux Bois Benches (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piedmont.

More about this marker. The Japanese Teahouse is located in Piedmont Park.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 7, 2014

2. The Japanese Teahouse Marker

The Japanese Teahouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 7, 2014

3. The Japanese Teahouse

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 7, 2014

4. The Japanese Teahouse

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,895 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 15, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.