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

Broadway Shopping Center

Broadway Plaza

— 1960s —

Broadway Shopping Center Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 6, 2016

1. Broadway Shopping Center Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The 1951 debut of Broadway Shopping Center transformed Walnut Creek into the commercial center of the region. Originally, many of the stores were clustered around a central "horseshoe" parking lot that was anchored by the trademark Broadway sign.

Erected by Walnut Creek Historical Society. (Marker Number 111.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the California - Walnut Creek Heritage Walk series list.

Location. 37° 53.774′ N, 122° 3.606′ W. Marker is in Walnut Creek, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker is at the intersection of Olympic Boulevard and South Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Olympic Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1521 Olympic Boulevard, Walnut Creek CA 94596, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kirsch Home (a few steps from this marker); St. Mary's Catholic Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named St. Mary's Catholic Church

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Main Street, 1910 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Walnut Creek and Mt. Diablo Central Hotel (about 300 feet away); Flagpole (about 400 feet away); Central School (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Walnut Creek.

More about this marker. This marker is a part of the Walnut Creek Heritage Walk. The site referred to by this marker is across South Main Street.

Also see . . . Broadway Plaza Turns the Big 6-0 - Walnut Creek Patch. Broadway Plaza is here today because the J.C. Penney chain wanted to open a store in Walnut Creek. But Edith Apgar, a representative of local developer Graeme McDonald, said the J.C. Penney project expanded into the idea of creating an entire shopping center. (Submitted on April 8, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, April 6, 2016

2. Broadway Shopping Center Marker

Photographed By Unknown, circa 1951

3. Broadway Shopping Center Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 319 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 8, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.