1884, looking east 1
The 12th Street Dam was constructed in 1868-1869 and financed in part by then-mayor Samuel Merritt using his own funds. It was the first step in turning an arm of San Antonio Slough into Lake Merritt.
1869 map excerpt
1868: Plans made for a dam to create "Lake Merritt"; 5 construction begins
1869: Dam completed north of the 12th Street bridge, creating the lake. Mayor Merritt’s annual message dedicates the “arm of San Antonio Creek” as a public lake
1874: Merritt, Newton, and Spaulding cede 12th Street dam rights to the City
1876: 12th Street Dam widened and used as thoroughfare
1891: At the urging of Mayor Melvin Chapman, the Oakland Waterfront Company, which was controlled by the Central Pacific Railroad and Southern Pacific Railroad, “gives” the lake to Oakland in exchange for a promise that the City would spend $30,000 on the roadway over the 12th Street Dam. 4
1915: Lake dredging completed and the 12th Street Dam is raised, widened, and paved
Links and References
- 12th St. Dam in 1884, looking east from Oak St. Knowland Neg. 209 Oakland History Center
- Our Real Estate Article San Francisco Chronicle January 31, 1869
- Suburban Intelligence San Francisco Examiner July 17, 1868
- M.C. Chapman Lauded at Public Fete Oakland Tribune September 6, 1930
- The Real Estate Market San Francisco Chronicle May 5, 1868
