This is an updated post to one I wrote in 2019. Enjoy!
A news cinema or newsreel theatre is a cinema that specializes in continuously showing short films and occasionally features films.
The Newsreel Theater opened in October 1939; before that, it was the Franklin Theater (not to be confused with the other Franklin Theater.)
Oakland Tribune October 1939
The Franklin Theater was originally the Bishop Playhouse (later called the Fulton), which opened in 1915.
Bishop Playhouse on Franklin Street in Oakland, California. DATE:1919 Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
In 1935, the Fulton Theater (formally Bishop) reopened as the Franklin, a motion-picture house taking its name from the previous Franklin, which had closed down.
The Newsreel Theater closed and transformed into the Telenews Theatre and opened on July 18, 1941
Oakland Tribune July 18, 1941
The theatre was the first to include local newsreel stories in the regular week’s program. Each program or show comprised fifty news events, including the “Ringside Seat to World War Two” series with Regan McCrary.
During the opening week, they showed a “Salute to Oakland,” a film on Oakland’s industrial, civic, and community life. The film showed the new Woodminster Amphitheater, Lake Merritt, Mills College, Oakland’s High Schools, and City Hall.
Oakland Tribune July 18, 1941
The lobby included a large “Progressive War Map,” updated daily. Twelve clocks showed the current time in cities throughout Europe, America, and Asia, and a teletype machine was also in the lobby.
Oakland Tribune July 18, 1941
Franklin Theater Once Again
When Telenews took over the Fox News Theater’s operation on Broadway in 1943, this theater became the Franklin once again and showed first-run movies.
The theater went dark in 1951 and was demolished to make room for an office building.
Oakland Tribune April 19, 1953
Fox News Theater on Broadway
“Fox Offers Timely Topics in Modern Show House.” – Oakland Tribune July 5, 1942
Located at 1906 Broadway, the 552-seat Fox News Theatre opened on July 3, 1942.
S. Charles Lee, a theatrical architect, designed the Fox News Theater.
The lounges were designed for convenience and luxury. An “electric eye” operated the magic fountain, eliminating manual operation.
Oakland Tribune July 1942
The Fox News Theater had a studio in the downstairs lounge, which broadcast vital news programs and topics of the day on the KQW CBS outlet.
Screenshot
Telenews took over the operation on April 30, 1943. The theater was renamed The Broadway Telenews Theater.
Newsreel Theatre on Broadway
In July 1941, the Oakland Tribune announced that Oakland would have a Newsreel Theater, a sister to the one in San Francisco.
Oakland Tribune 1942Screenshot
The 300-seat theater had spacious lounge rooms, which provided accommodations for writing letters, holding business conferences, reading the latest newspapers and magazines, etc.
The building first housed the Regent Theater, later the Regent Photo Theater.
Broadway at 12th circa 1917 – showing the Regent Theater. Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising
In the mid-1950s, the Newsreel (The Regent) was renamed the Peerlex. The Peerlex offered three action hits for 50 cents.
By 1972 the Regent was rechristened the Pussycat Theater showing XXX adult movies.
The city of Oakland acquired the theater by eminent domain in 1987.
A few years ago, someone in a Facebook group I belong to asked if anyone else remembered a story or rumor about Montclair in the mid-50s. The story was about a guy who owned a repair shop on La Salle Ave and was a spy for the FBI.
It took me a while, but I found it.
There are a few different versions of how they started working for the FBI.
Double-Lives
Oakland Tribune
Dickson P. Hill, an Oakland radio store owner, said he and his wife Sylvia lived “double lives’‘ as Communists for the FBI from 1945 to 1949.
They joined the Alameda County Communist Party in 1945 and rose to the positions of membership chairman and education chairman receptively while serving as undercover agents.
Oakland Tribune Dec 1952
Approached By Communists
Dickson P. Hill said he and his wife were approached by communists in 1944 and asked the FBI what they should do. The FBI told them to try to join the Party so they could do the country “a great service.”
⬅ The Montclarion 1952
He named more than 50 one-time Reds in the Oakland-Berkeley area; he said he had met personally and identified 36 organizations as Communist Party clubs during his time as a member.
They finally quit as Communists for the FBI in 1949 because of the “tremendous mental pressure” of concealing their FBI connections from the Reds and his Red connections from their customers and family.
Clubs They Joined
The Hills were members of several clubs during this time. One was the North Oakland Communist Club, which held its meetings at Technical High School. Another was the 16th Assembly District Communist Club in Montclair. Some of the names he named were Montclair Residents, and one stood out to me because of the family’s history in Montclair.
Hill testified that Mirian Chown, the wife of Paul S. Chown, was a member of the Montclair Club. They were both communists. Hill stated that Paul was a “special group” member and had other party assignments.
Paul was the son of Sidney Chown,who owned a 2 1/2-acre ranch off of Snake Road and grew up in Montclair. Chown was the leader/representative of the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America (UE), Local 1412, and it was rumored that the union was kicked out of the CIO due to its leaning toward Communism.
Dickson and Sylvia Hill lived on Snake Road in the Montclair District of Oakland. They had three children.
From the 1956 Pacific Telephone Directory
The Hills owned and operated the Montclair Radio & T.V. Sales and Repair shop at 6127 La Salle Ave.
From the Montclarion 1960
Sometime between 1949 and 1952, the Hill’s divorced.
Joins Party to Help FBI in Roundup of Subversives
In April 1953, Sylvia Hill testified in the United States District Court in Pennsylvania that she heard Steve Nelson tell members of the Communist Party in California “to get the United States Government in as many internal difficulties as possible.”
Mrs. Hill testified that she met Nelson when she was chairman of the Communist Party in Alameda. She said she heard him address a party meeting and declared:
“It was a mistake for me to believe Communism and capitalism could. live together.”
She also testified that she joined the Communist Party in 1944 or 1945 after an FBI agent approached her and said,
“Would you like to do this? There will be nothing in it for you, but you will be doing your country a great service.”
She was the education director from 1946 to 1947 for the North Oakland Branch of the Communist Party; the name was later changed to the 16th A.D. (Assembly District) club in Montclair.
Nelson was one of five communists on trial charged with conspiring to overthrow the Government.
In 1944, Steve Nelson lived at 425 Taurus Rd in the Merriewood section of Montclair.
Oakland Tribune 1949
House Un-American Activities Committee Hearings
In 1953, Dickson was one of nine witnesses who appeared before the committee at City Hall in San Francisco. He was the only “friendly” witness.
During his testimony, he named names and organizations with communist ties.
He also testified that “the Reds backed a third-party idea in the 1948 election as a rich source of new recruits,” and made the Emeryville Westinghouse Electric plant one of their prime infiltration targets.
The Little Daisy was a small, local chain of women’s clothing boutiques selling shoes, jewelry, and accessories.
It was hip and trendy throughout the 1960s and 70s and was known as one of the officially sanctioned stores where local schoolgirls might buy their uniforms.
In the 1980s, the name changed to The Daisy.
The store was founded by Willard “Bill” and Gladys “Daisy” Talkington. The Talkingtons owned a clothing store in San Francisco before moving their operation to Oakland.
According to the Oakland Directory, the Lakeshore Little Daisy was opened in 1949.
Oakland Directory 1949
In March 1953, they opened a store in the Montclair District at 2020 Mountain Blvd. The store soon became a favorite to many Hill area women for over 35 years and is still missed today.
The Monclarion Jan 1953
In 1955, they expanded the Montclair store by taking over four other stores on Mountain Blvd.
The Montclarion 1955
In 1963 they opened their fourth store in Lafayette, CA. By 1970 there were five stores in the Bay Area. The business offices were located on Claremont Ave in Oakland and later in Pleasant Hill.
The Montclarion
In 1985, the company changed its name to Daisy and adopted an “everyday low price” strategy to broaden its appeal. But as competition intensified, it was forced to close many of its locations, including the Montclair store.
Closes Two Oakland Stores
The Montclarion March 1988
The president of the Daisy Stores announced in March of 1988 that they would be closing five Daisy Stores, including the flagship store in Montclair and one on Lakeshore Blvd. He said:
“do not fit in with the Daisy concept of catering to the time conscious working women at her place of business.
Bill Bradshaw Daisy Stores
The stores were being phased out as the company planned to focus on its new Daisy 9 to 5 stores. The new stores will specialize in clothing for career women and be located near large office centers, like the one that opened in downtown Oakland in 1987.
Seeks Bankruptcy Protection
Oakland Tribune Feb 1989
Locations
Berkeley-2590 Bancroft Way
Danville- 356 S. Hertz
Lakeshore – 3433 Lakeshore Ave – 3300 Lakeshore
Lafayette – 971 Moraga
Marin – Town & County Village – 420
Montclair – 2020 Mountain Blvd
Pleasant Hill – 3380 Vincent Rd
Pruneyard –
San Francisco – 1 Embarcadero
Walnut Creek -1224 Broadway
More Info:
Daisy Talkington was born Gladys Warren in 1903 to Edward H. Warren and Alice Ludwig. She was raised in Oakland. She married Willard “Bill” Talkington sometime before 1938. Bill was from Washington. Daisy died in 1997
I found these photos during my research for my piece on Detroit of the West.
In 1931 Russell J Maynard opened his gasoline service station and repair shop on the northeast corner of 36th and Grove Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way) at 3601 36th St.
At that time Oakland had more than 200 service stations along the cities main thoroughfares. in the days before the freeways San Pablo Avenue, Grove Street, East 14th Street, Telegraph Avenue and Foothill Blvd were main traffic arteries entering and leaving Oakland.
Oakland Tribune October 2, 1951
In 1931 Grove Street had 17 service stations, East 14th Street 29, Telegraph Avenue 22, San Pablo Avenue 22, and Foothill Blvd 17.
Loose zoning regulations and available land combined helped the expansion of service stations in the city in the 1940s.
These early stations architecturally were unique . Many had columns or faintly resembled Spanish haciendas or Italian Villas. Mr. Maynard’s station reminds you of a Southwestern Pueblo.
Mr. Maynard’s station, under numerous owners was there until 1951. In its place a freeway pillar now stands.
Misc. Photos
C. J. Bowers Union Oil service station, possibly at 3761 Park Boulevard in Oakland, California. DATE: 1940s Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
Shell service station and undeveloped woods at Broadway Terrace and Harbord Drive in the Broadway Terrace district of Oakland, California. DATE:1933 Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
A bit of history of the automotive industry in Oakland from 1911 to the mid-1960s. This is just a bit of history, as I have spent way too much time on this one post and need to get to work and finish the other 28 posts I have in draft form.
Be sure to check both pages of this post.
In 1913, automobile registrations in California reached 100,000. In 2021, California was the federal state with the highest number of motor vehicle registrations in the United States, with 14,268,528.
A large Fisher Body plant came next adjacent to the Chevrolet plant. Then the Buick Motor Company, Olds Motor Works, and Pontiac Motor Car Company opened warehousing facilities.
Oakland Tribune November 13, 1938
A-C, Delco,United Motors, and tire and truck companies added plants, factories, and warehouses.
Oakland’s first automobile manufacturer and the city’s first city’s most short-lived motor-car maker, opening in May 1911, the California Motor Car Company was housed in a two-story concrete building built in 1908 for the California Cotton Mills and located on the east side of High Street at the corner of San Leandro Blvd.
Oakland Tribune May 25, 1911
The owners, Walter Sachs (president) and A.J. Schram, proudly proclaimed that Oakland was to have
“the only large automobile manufacturing on the Pacific Coast.”
The first car, the Pacific Special, was ready to be tested in 1912.
Oakland Tribune June 1912
By 1914 the company was bought out by Cole California Car Company, and by 1915 the “Pacific Special” was no longer made.
More Info:
First Factory in Bay Region will turn out the Pacific Special – S.F. Examiner June 7, 1911
In 1916, Chevrolet opened the auto industry’s first West Coast assembly plant in Oakland in Elmhurst.
Breaking ground for the Chevrolet factory, 69th Avenue, and Foothill Boulevard in Oakland, California. Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
According to the Oakland Tribune, the plant was built in 90 days. A crew of twenty men poured 7,000 yards of cement in forty-six days.
Photos by Cheney Photo Advertising
Chevrolet Motors became a division of General Motors in 1918. In 1923 plant expanded to include Fisher Body Division.
Production of the Chevrolet Series 490 began on September 23, 1916.
S.F. Examiner November 23, 1954
During the first year (1917) of full production, the plant assembled 10,089 cars.
Payday at the Chevrolet Plant November 24, 1919 – Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising
By 1923 the original plant had been enlarged three times, increasing the workforce to 1,300.
Oakland Tribune October 23, 1927
Real Estate
Real Estate developers used the erection of the plant to their advantage. They advertised that you live close to your job at the plant. One development was named “Chevrolet Park. Melrose Highlands announced the “working man home.”
Oakland Tribune October 19, 1916
During World War II, the plant stopped the production of automobiles for commercial use and contributed to the war effort by producing mutations. When commercial manufacturing resumed, Chevrolet’s most well-known vehicles during the 1950s were built at the plant.
50 millionth General Motors Car
In November 1954, General Motors celebrated the fifty million passenger car by making a solid gold 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. In Oakland, they celebrated by giving public tours of the assembly and truck plants.
S.F. Examiner November 23, 1954
Plant Closes
In 1963 the plant closed and moved its operations to Fremont, CA.
Before the factory closed and moved to Fremont in 1963, more than 4 million Chevys rolled off the assembly line.
In 1965 the old factory was demolished to make room for the 13 million-dollar Eastmont Mall.
What did Oakland’s Eastmont Mall site look like in decades past? – The Oaklandside
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map Elmhurst 1925 Vol 6 Image 27 – Library of Congress
Fageol Motors Company
“Fageol Signs Up For New Factory”
The Fageol Motors Companyof Oakland bought four acres of land between Foothill and Hollywood Boulevards (now MacArthur Blvd) and 107th Avenue to build an auto and truck plant.
The exterior of Fageol Motors Company plant, Iveywood Development in Oakland, California Cheney Photo Advertising Company. Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
GROUND BROKEN FOR FAGEOL PLANT
“Oakland City Officials Join Company Heads in Celebrating Event – Trucks and Tractors to Be Built
“Factory is Welcomed To Oakland Auto Parade Celebrates Event”
Oakland Tribune June 19, 1917
Speeches were made by John L. Davie, mayor of Oakland, Frank R. Fageol, secretary and manager of the Fageol Motors Co., and Joseph H. King, president of the local Chamber of Commerce. After the groundbreaking, three short racing events entertained the large gathering of spectators. The celebration closed with a demonstration of the new Fageol tractor.
“Fageol Plane is a Mecca of Big Crowds”
Oakland Triobune June 19, 1917
The plant’s first unit was to be built immediately at Hollywood Boulevard and 107th Avenue for $100,000, with more than 15,000 square feet of floor space. The structure was made of steel and brick, and cement.
Photos by Cheney Photo Advertising
Interior of Fageol Motors Company, Hollywood Boulevard at 107th Avenue in Oakland, California. Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room. Circa 1931
“Since the founding of Fageol Motors Company, there had been a plan to build automobiles. Frank R. and William B. Fageol, with Louis H. Bill, built and marketed what was to be the most expensive luxury car of the time using the Hall-Scottaircraft engine. Marketed as the “Fageol Four Passenger Touring Speedster,” only three were known to have been produced before the government took over the engine manufacturing plant to build war planes, ending production.” From Wikipedia
The factory produced trucks and tractors; in 1921, Fageol became the first company to build a bus from the ground up.
Oakland Tribune June 1996
In 1938 the factory was bought by T.A. Peterman.
“On a 1938 business trip in San Francisco, Peterman learned that Fageol Truck and Motor Company was to be sold. Seeking an opportunity to expand into new vehicle production, he acquired Fageol fromSterling Motor Company for $50,000, receiving the 13.5-acre Fageol plant in Oakland, California, its tooling, and parts inventory; the purchase was completed in 1939″
Peterman died in 1945, and the business was sold in 1947 to a group of Peterbilt executives. His wife, Ida Peterman, retains ownership of the land.
In 1960 site was sold to the Draper Companies of San Francisco for the development of a $2,500,000 shopping center to be known asFoothill Square. Peterbilt moved to a new factory in Newark, CA.
More Info:
I am not sure if the factory was on land that was 4 acres or 13.5 acres. I bet they purchased more land later, bringing the total from 4 to 13.5.
In 1921 William Durant started Durant Motors, and a year later, opened a 20-acre, 300,000-square foot plant in Oakland along East 14th between 107th and 109th.
The site included a spur (an extension of the Stonehurst branch) built by Southern Pacific. They laid two miles of track on the factory grounds.
Oakland Tribune December 4, 1921
The chassis was assembled on the first floor, and bodywork was done on the second floor. When the completed chassis arrived at the end of the assembly line, the completed body was lowered on it.
The Oakland plant assembled Durant Model Fours and Sixes and later the economical Star Car.
Durant Motors operated until 1931 when it was renamed De-Vuax-Hall Motors. In 1936 the facilities were sold to General Motors, becoming Chevrolet Trucks, General Motors Truck, and Coach Division.
Later the plant was used as a regional parts warehouse.’
In the 1980s, two wings of the plant were converted into a marketplace bazaar called Durant Center (Durant Square Mall.)
Would you like to be Queen for a Day?! Host Jack Bailey would say that the entire audience would reply: “YES!” Four or five women, each having a sob story to tell, told Bailey why they believed they should be crowned the show’s Queen. Usually, each contestant asked for a merchandise prize, such as a washer and dryer. The audience determined the winner by applause (via the “applause meter”).
On the April 11, 1957 episode of Jack Bailey’s “Queen for a Day” show. Dolly Monks of Oroville Ca was one of the four contestants. Each contestant had to talk about the recent financial and emotional hard times she had been through.
Dolly spoke about the hardships involved in raising three small children as a single parent after her husband had died of cancer. She was worried that she would not be able to provide for them as a single mother.
Dolly was chosen as the “Queen of the Day!”
The winner of that episode would qualify to win a fully stocked candy store from a participating sponsor of the show.
The participating sponsor was Haas Distributing Co. of Oakland run by Milton Wiser to promote the sales of “Heavenly Candy” stores all over the west. At the time of the show, there were about 100 stores opened.
The store would be completely stocked with Heavenly Candy and fixtures that were provided by the sponsor. She would be trained for as long as necessary in all aspects of running a candy store.
Queen of the Day to Open New Store in Montclair
The Montclarion April 1957
Mr. Wiser chose a store in the Montclair District. He worked with John Grubb Realty to lease a store on Mountain Blvd at 2034. The store had been the home of Montclair Sporting Goods, which had recently moved up the street to a larger store (where they stayed in business until 2020.) Later on, the same storefront was the home of Williams Footwear well into the early 1990s. My two friends and I all bought our “sort of” platform shoes there in the 70s.
The store was scheduled to open on July 12, 1957
Wow! This Is Big!
“with all the Hollywood razzle dazzle”
Milton Wiser 1957
Plans for the candy store opening were shaping up to be big according to Wiser in an article in The Montclarion (July 3, 1957.) Wiser tried his best to estimate and came up with a figure of slightly less than 50,000 people who might turn up in Montclair for the opening of the Heavenly Candies store at 2034 Mountain Blvd. He attributed the large estimate due to all the advanced print advertising and the daily plugs for the store on the t.v. show.
Mr. Wiser made it clear the opening would be spectacular and that he has extended an invitation to the mayor of Oakland Clifford E. Rishell and of course lots of other people including some famous Hollywood types. Because of this, the Montclair merchants asked the police department for extra protection.
Queen to Draw Throngs
Montclarion July 1957
“Friday July 12 is the BIG DAY -the grand spectacular Hollywood-type opening of the new Heavenly Candies store”
The Montclarion 1957
The opening was scheduled to start at 7 pm and was scheduled to be seen live on KRON TV in San Francisco. The Mayor of Oakland, Jerry Colona of Hollywood, and of course Jack Bailey himself was expected to be there.
Five girls were hired to help with handing out free candy to the first 1000 people to come to the store.
Los Angeles Times July 12, 1957
Store Opens with a Modest Throng
The Montclair Business Association went into action fully expecting thousands of curiosity seekers to come to Montclair. They persuaded the Chamber of Commerce to help pay for the cost of a big banner welcoming the Queen to Montclair. They held a reception at Sanford’s before the grand opening and invited the “Hollywood representatives and such folk.”
SF Examiner July 12, 1957
As the time approached for opening to begin, a modest group of about 500 people slowly assembled in the blocked-off street in front of the store. Jerry Colona and Councilman Peter Tripp (for the mayor) were there to cut the ribbon opening the store. The Oakland police department had three officers.
The Montclarion July 1957
Dolly was there in her crown and robe.
Queen for a Day from left to right Jerry Colona, Dolly Monks and Milton Wiser – 1957
Contrary to the advance information given to The Montclarion by an overly hopeful candy official, there was no live television coverage of the event. There wasn’t a public address system. It was filmed by a professional movie company to be shown at a later date on the Queen for A Day show.
The Californian July 16, 1957
The Queen is a Pawn
It seems to me the whole thing was big promotional stunt for the T.V. show and Heavanly Candies, Dolly became something of a pawn between the two.
She sold her home in Oroville and moved her family down from Oroville to a rented cottage in Pleasant Hill and secured a day maid to take care of her children.
In response to to an article in The Montclarion (July 31, 1957.)
“I realize to some people this all must look like a publicity stunt, but unless you know the inside story you can’t tell where the ‘business’ ends ‘heart’ begins.”
Dolly Monks
End of Her Reign and a New King
After the fanfare of the opening had passed on. Dolly opened every morning at 9am after driving from her home in Pleasant Hill after leaving her three children with the babysitter.
The Montclarion
She found that candy sales not too brisk. In fact many weeks went by and she paid her babysitter more than she made in the store.
Then she found out the the people who bought her home in Oroville left without notice. Her car was damage when struck from behind one morning.
So, she announced through The Montclarion that she would be giving up the store.
That announcement and Halloween candy trade sales gave her a big upsurge and she decided to stick it out.
The Montclarion 1957
The just after Christmas she called The Montclarion and put in advertisement that she was selling out and closing the store on January 1, 1958.
It turns out the reason what not that the store was a failure but that she was in love. She had met her king. Ralph King that is. They planned on getting married in 1959.
The Montclarion Jan 1958
Queen for a day…and a King forever.
The Montclarion Feb 1958
Coming soon Part 2 of a “Queen for a Day” – The Confidence Man
I thought I would take a moment to share some Christmas ads and articles from The Montclarion. I know these ads will bring back memories from some of you.
Montclair East is a shopping center with business offices located at 2220 Mountain Blvd. It is now called Village Square.
James Fernhoff, a local real estate broker, was the initial developer.
The Site
Sidney Chown owned the 2 1/2 acre plot before the building of Montclair East.
California Department of Transportation 1956
Sidney Chown was one of Northern California’s best-known horsemen when he died in 1961. He owned and operated grocery stores in Oakland and Berkeley.
California Department of Transportation 1957
The Chown’s purchased the land in approximately 1920. They were considered some of the founding residents in Montclair.
California Department of Transportation 1956
Chown and his friends organized Piedmont Trails Club. He built up his ranch to include 12 stalls and an arena for horses.
California Department of Transportation 1960
After his death, his wife Lucille sold the property.
Project Approved
During an Oakland City Planning Commission public hearing where Lucille A. Chown was asking for her property at 2220 Andrews St (the site) to be rezoned as commercial.
Fernhoff stated “the project would include parking for 110 cars, rustic architecture with shake roofs and no bowling alleys, drive-ins, car washed or super markets.” He said only ‘high class” businesses would be permitted.
Opponents, including several business owners, complained it would “spilt the business district” and isn’t needed. Apartments would be better, some said.
In August 1963, the city council approved the $750,000 project after the planning commission spilt 3-3 on its recommendation.
Montclair East Fought
In October 1963, a group of twelve property owners near the site brought a suit against the City of Oakland.
They charged that a new shopping center was unnecessary, would create traffic problems, and damage residential property values.
The Montclarion Oct 1963
James Fernhoff contended that the site is unsuitable for residential development because it was the site of the future interchange of the Warren and Shepherd Canyon(unbuilt) Freeways.
Now Leasing
Oakland Tribune Jan 09, 1964
Groundbreaking
The Montclarion Feb 17, 1965
The groundbreaking was held in February of 1965. A gold-plated shovel was used to break the hard old ground.
The Montclarion Feb 17, 1965
Construction and Design
Truck hauling dirt down the hill at a construction site on the north west corner of Scout Road and Mountain Boulevard in the Montclair district of Oakland, California. Circa 1960s Oakland History Room.
Construction for Montclair East, a 1.2 million dollar shopping center, began in May of 1965.
The Montclarion 1966
The plans called for a 28,000 square foot building with 20,000 feet on the ground floor devoted to a restaurant and 12 shops and 7,600 feet on the second floor to eight offices. The parking lot would accommodate 111 cars.
The Montclarion 1966
The center was designed by Robert B. Liles, an architect from San Francisco.
First Store to Open
Fox’s Market
The Montclarion Sept 21, 1966
Jim Fox opened his fourth supermarket located in Montclair East on September 21, 1966.
From Bill Fiset Column Sept 16. 1966
The new store featuring wall-to-wall carpeting was the first to open at the shopping center. The store occupied 6,000 square feet
Captain Satellite made an appearance at the formal ceremony held the following weekend.
Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery, an orphanage and daycare center, was established in 1918 by African-American clubwomen in West Oakland. Sometimes it is called the Fanny Wall Home.
“Charity is the Golden Chain that reaches from heaven to earth.”
from the letterhead
The Beginning
In 1914 the Northern Federation of California Colored Women’s Clubs President Fanny Wall and Financial Secretary Hettie Tilghman began working on a children’s home and day nursery to support black working mothers and care for orphaned black children. After years of planning and fundraising, the home opened in 1918 on Peralta Street in West Oakland.
“Care for the Orphans
“Shelters the Half Orphans”
“Keeps the Children of Day Workers.”
Oakland Tribune April 1920
Initially, the home was called the“Northern Federation Home and Day Nursery.” It was subsequently renamed to honor Fannie Wall who was the first woman to run the charity on a daily basis.
The Fannie Wall Children’s Homeand Day Nursery was open to children of all races, ethnicities, and religions, it was the first facility in Northern California to provide various services including housing, boarding, and daycare for black orphans.
It was located at 1215 Peralta Street in West Oakland from 1918-1928.
Fannie Wall ( 1860-1944) came to Oakland with her family in the early 1900s. She was born in Gallatin Tennessee in 1860. She was married to Archey(Archy) H. Wall (18?? -1931), was a staff sergeant in the US Army. They had two daughters, Lillian (Williams) and Florence (Murray), and one son Clifton. Archey was transferred to the Presidio in San Francisco and they ultimately ended up in Oakland. Wall was an early community activist who participated in several organizations that promoted African American economic empowerment
She served several terms as the president of the California Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs.
She co-founded the Art and Industrial Club of Oakland in 1906. Under her presidency, the club joined the Child Welfare League. Wall also help establish the “Colored Y” of Oakland.
In 1936 Archie Williams her grandson (Lillian)won a gold medal in the 400-meter run in Berlin.
Oakland Tribune Aug 8, 1936
Fannie Wall died on April 14, 1944, in her home on Telegraph Avenue. She is buried in the same plot as her husband in the San Francisco National Cemetery.
Oakland Tribune Apr 20, 1944
Linden Street Site
In 1928, having outgrown its original location they moved to a new one on Linden Street.
Fannie Wall Children’s Home, 815 Linden – 2nd site -Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland
The handsome house at 815 Linden Street was purchased for $5000. The upper-middle-class house was designed by Charle Man in the 1880s. It was one of five buildings built by Frances Reichling a surveyor, who subdivided his property at the corner of Linden Street and Eighth Street. The largest of the buildings became the family home and the others were rentals.
Linden Street 1948 -African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
The home could accommodate up to 20 resident children and 8-15 children for daycare services and be operated by a professional staff of over ten employees that included social workers and a volunteer psychiatrist.
The house was considered a step up from the one on Peralta Street and was across the street from the “Colored Y.”
Women and children seated around the piano at the Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery- updated -African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
New Look
The Linden Street site was given a face-lift in 1953. The “new look,” a two-room addition was used as the administrative offices, releasing the old offices and reception room for nursery classes and a future library. They provided room for 47 children.
In 1962 the Oakland Redevelopment Agency purchased the property at 815 Linden St. in order to demolish the building for the Acorn Project.
Management
“Fannie Wall is Calling”
From the annual report
The Northern Federation of Colored Women Clubs operated the Fannie Wall Home until 1941. The home was then incorporated as an independent organization. At that time it was the only home in California that primarily cared for African-American children.
The home was admitted as an agency of the Community Chest-United crusade in 1923
Fannie Wall was elected as the first president and served more than 20 years as the head of the 21 board of directors. She was succeeded by Mrs. Lydia Smith Ward who in turn was followed by Mrs. Chlora Hayes Sledge in the 1940s.
The home was managed by a Board of Directors, which largely consisted of members of the Northern Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs, a community advisory committee, and an executive director who oversaw the home’s day-to-day operations.
The Board of Directors of the Fanny Wall Home – Chlora Hays Sledge, President, center-left.Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland
Girls with fans at the Fannie Wall Home, in the 1940s.Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland
Fundraising
The home received funding from a variety of sources including rent from an apartment in Berkeley donated by Josephine Sutton, Community Chest, the Dreiser Trust, and through fundraising events coordinated by the home.
Ticket to chicken dinner for Fannie Wall Home Benefit-1944 -African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery, Inc. charity ball program – 1946 – African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)- Identifier MS162_B1_F6_001
Oakland Tribune 1958
The third charity ball was held on January 19, 1948, at the Oakland Auditorium.
In 1959 a fashion show was held at Slim Jenkins to raise money for the building fund. Models showed the latest styles.
A Haven For Children
Rodeo artists Schwartz and Grodin entertain children with finger paints at the Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery – circa 1947 -African American Museum & Library at Oakland Photograph Collection
Oakland Tribune 1949
In 1949 the Fannie Wall home had 30 children who received daycare while their parents worked. Ranging in age from 3 to 14 years. During the summer months, the children took swimming lessons at the de Fremery Park pool: enjoyed story hours at the West Oakland Branch Library, and had special excursions to other city parks and playgrounds.
Birthday Party 1946
Monthly parties were held to honor the children whose birthdays occurred during the month. They would dress up for a special dinner or an afternoon party.
Oakland Tribune Aug 8, 1948
Integrated Playground at the Fanny Wall Home, the 1950s. Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland
The Final Location
In 1964 they purchased a house at 647 55th Street for $19,000. They initially struggled to obtain a license from the Social Welfare Department, and the home was not re-opened until 1967 as part of a placement program for the Alameda County Welfare Department.
Fannie Wall Children’s Home 55th Street – 3rd site Courtesy The African American Museum and Library Oakland
The home was forced to close again in 1970 for remodeling and reopened in 1978 as a child daycare facility and Head Start Center. It is now called Fannie Wall Head Start.
Group photograph of attendees at Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery mortgage burning ceremony (first row, left-right): Annie Mae Smith, Albertine Radford, Silvia Parker, Mildred McNeal, Marge Gibson (second row, left-right): Bessie Watson, Euna Tucker, N. Adams, Lela Posey (third row, left-right): Eugene P. Lasartemay, Roy Blackburn, Kermit Scott, Harold Adams – 1981 -African American Museum & Library at Oakland Photograph Collection
Fannie Wall Pre-K Program – 647 55th Street Oakland CA
More Info:
Under Siege: Construction and Care at the Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery – Marta Gutman – Researchgate.net
Originally called “The Famous Clothing Company.” Later it was renamed “Smith’s Money-Back Store and Money-Back Smith.” You probably knew it as Smith’s Department Store.
William Smith founded the first store in Oakland in 1885 (according to the Oakland Tribune)
Unique Nickname
“Money Refunded If Goods Are Not Satisfactory.”
Oakland Tribune
Willam “Money-Back” Smith
His friends, relatives, neighbors, and patrons were so used to the policy of ‘money-back” being associated with William Smith that became his nickname.
First Store
The first store was on Broadway, between 7th and 8th Street, later moving one block to 9th Street.
Brilliant Opening
Oakland Tribune
The Famous Clothing Company proprietors held a grand opening reception on March 16, 1892, at 909 and 911 Broadway.
The Berkeley Gazette March 18, 1904
In 1896, Smith chose a new location at 10th and Washington, where the firm remained until 1912.
They then moved to 12th and Washington, which was enlarged and modernized several times.
1935-Blake Estate Co. building (the Blake Block) W. F. Woolworth, Money Back Smith inM.L. Cohen Co., photographers, for Downtown Property Owners Association, Inc. :Permission to use this image must be obtained from the Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
Another New Location
Circa 1933 – M. K. Blake building (the Blake Block), southwest corner of 12th Street and Washington Money Back Smith in view. M.L. Cohen Co., photographers, for Downtown Property Owners Association, Inc. Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
By 1912 the store was located at 12th and Washington Streets, and it was called “Money-Back Smith.”
Circa 1935 -M. K. Blake building (the Blake Block),.12th and Washington Money Back Smith in view. Downtown Property Owner’s Association. Volume 4. . M.L. Cohen Co., photographers, for Downtown Property Owners Association, Inc.
“Charge It” Plan
Oakland Tribune 1940
Breaking all precedents, Money-Back Smiths had for 54 years had a “cash only” policy offered a liberal 90-day charge plan. The plan had no downpayment, no interest, and no carrying charge.
More than 10,000 Eastbay residents opened accounts in the first six months.
“Charge it!”
They made the term “Charge it” a common word in the vocabulary. Smith declared September 27, 1940
55th Anniversary
“Founded back in 1886 – literally the horse and buggy days of the city, the store has grown with Oakland.”
Oakland Tribune September 27, 1940
“We Couldn’t possibly cut a birthday cake large enough for all the of our customers, and so were cutting prices instead.”
Expansion
Blake Block [ SW corner of 12th and Washington. Creator/Contributor:Cohen, Moses L., 1884-1975. Downtown Property Owners Association (Oakland, Calif.). Date:1944
In 1941 the store embarked on a program of remodeling and expansion that doubled its size. Two additional floors were added, which gave them three floors for selling merchandise.
Oakland Tribune Dec 1951
In 1945, the store acquired 30,000 Sq.Ft. of additional space in the Blake Building on Washington Street.
M. K. Blake Estate Co. building (the Blake Block), southwest corner of 12th and Washington Streets. Smith’s in view. – 1949, Jun. 27 . Camera Corner, photographers, for Downtown Property Owners Association, Inc. RIGHTS:Permission to use this image must be obtained from the Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
First Western Bank Building
Oakland Tribune 1955
In 1955 the old Henshaw Building at 14th and Broadway, built-in 1891, was demolished. The Henshaw building housed the MacDonough Theatre, one of Oakland’s first legitimate showhouses.
The First Western Bank Building was completed in 1958.
