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

Chamber of Commerce / Wells Fargo Bank

Walter H. Ratcliff, Jr., Architect, 1925-27

— City of Berkeley Landmark - Designated 1984 —

Chamber of Commerce/Wells Fargo Bank Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 28, 2012

1. Chamber of Commerce/Wells Fargo Bank Marker

Inscription. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
For nearly a half century, this steel frame and concrete structure, clad in brick and terra cotta, was Berkeley’s only “skyscraper.” Walter Ratcliff, highly respected for his fine residences and public buildings throughout Berkeley, designed this Classic Revival commercial tower at the peak of his career. Six ground floor arches were added soon after construction to replace original storefronts. The west wing was designed to accommodate additional stores at a later time, a plan derailed by the Depression.

In 1930, the contested Stanford Axe, on its return to the bank’s vault for safekeeping, was stolen outside the Center Street doors by Stanford students disguised as news reporters and Cal students.

Erected 2010 by Berkeley Historical Plaque Project.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.

Location. 37° 52.228′ N, 122° 16.11′ W. Marker is in Berkeley, California, in Alameda County. It is in Downtown Berkeley. Marker is at the intersection of Shattuck Avenue and Center Street on Shattuck Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2144 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley CA 94704, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Francis Kittredge Shattuck Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Golden Sheaf Bakery Annex (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); S.H. Kress Co. Store (about 300 feet away); F.D. Chase Building (about 400 feet away); Site of David Park’s Studio (about 400 feet away); Heywood Building (about 400 feet away); Studio Building 1905-06 (about 500 feet away); Roos Bros. Building (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Berkeley.

Chamber of Commerce/Wells Fargo Bank Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 28, 2012

2. Chamber of Commerce/Wells Fargo Bank Building

The marker is to the right of the center arch.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 792 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 6, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.