El Cerrito in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Farms and Dairies
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 21, 2016
1. Farms and Dairies Marker
El Cerrito was once a town of farms and dairies. The mild weather, lush fields, and many creeks coming down from the hills made for excellent dairy farming. Over the years, there have been about 25 dairies located in El Cerrito.
illustration caption:
Poppy Hill Creamery, circa 1925.
Erected by City of El Cerrito.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Agriculture. In addition, it is included in the California - El Cerrito - San Pablo Avenue Historical-Cultural Pavers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 37° 54.361′ N, 122° 18.299′ W. Marker is in El Cerrito, California, in Contra Costa County. It is at the intersection of San Pablo Avenue and Eureka Avenue, on the right when traveling north on San Pablo Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10296 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito CA 94530, 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: El Cerrito's Music Scene (within shouting distance of this marker); Master Craftsmen (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fairmont School (about 700 feet away); Art and Culture in the City (about 700 feet away); Violet's
this page online
More about this marker. This marker is at the southeast corner of San Pablo and Eureka Avenues.
It is one of The City of El Cerrito's Historical-Cultural Pavers.
Additional commentary.
1. Poppy Hill Creamery
I believe the location of Poppy Hill Creamery depicted on this paver is present day Ganges Court, based on a 1949 painting I own commissioned by my mother when we first moved to 7210 Blake Street in 1948. The barn depicted on the paver has the same unusual profile as in the painting.
I believe "Poppy Hill" is a nickname given to what was then known as Peralta Hill, the location of hill-climb races sponsored by the Oakland Motor Cycle Club in the 1930s and 40s. The race course went straight up the hill from the intersection of Blake Street and Navellier Street. I witnessed at least one such race. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, April 21, 2016
2. Farms and Dairies Marker
— Submitted December 1, 2024, by Thomas Knight of Nipomo, California.
Photographed by Thomas Knight
3. Poppy Hill Creamery - 1949
Watercolor painting of Poppy Hill Creamery done by Judith Price in 1949. The view is from the front porch of 7210 Blake Street.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 23, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 23, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on December 1, 2024, by Thomas Knight of Nipomo, California.
