still from 1946 film 1fair useThe California Spring Garden Show, also known as the Oakland Garden Show, was an annual flower and garden show in Oakland.

For many years it was produced by landscape architect Howard Gilkey, who added the idea of an overall theme for each show. The show was mostly held at the Oakland Exposition Building. Joseph Callaghan first conceived of the idea, and was considered the "father" of the show. 4

It ran from 1930 to 1981, though 1943, 1944 and 1945 were skipped during WWII. 2,6

The "May Garden Festival" in 1929 was at the Weaver-Wells Building at 29th and Broadway. In 1930, the newly sponsored show was held in the former Earle C. Anthony showroom at Harrison and Hobart (now 21st). It proved so popular they looked for a larger location, and moved to the Oakland Auditorium. In 1932 they moved to the newly completed Exposition Building. 8

In 1942 it was held in tents at Lakeside Park because the military was using the Exposition Building.9 When the Exposition Building was scheduled for demolition, the show was held the new Oakland Coliseum complex beginning in 1967. 11 In 1970 it was held at Lakeside Park; in 1973 it was moved to Dunsmuir Hellman House.

The officers of the 1933 show were Abe P. Leach, president; Harold Austin, vice-president; Bestor Robinson, secretary; Harry Raab, treasurer; Arthur Navlet, Rudolph Bitterman, William Steinmetz, Joseph Callaghan, Julius C. Dohrmann. 5

The show was cancelled after the 1955 show in part because the costs had grown, but it was re-instated on a smaller scale, and continued until at least 1977. 10,15

Themes

Each year, the show seemed to grow larger and more elaborate: waterfalls 40' tall were constructed, faux giant redwoods were installed (and smaller real trees brought in), and tens of thousands of plants. In 1942, when the theme was "Floating Gardens of Xochimilco", a huge lagoon was built in Lakeside Park so that some exhibits could be floating. 9

In later years, it also included a "Home Show."

c.1930-1945 postcard Boston Public Library

Year Theme Location
1930 no theme Earle C. Anthony Showroom
1931 "Formal Gardens" Oakland Auditorium
1932 "Ancient Gardens of Alhambra" Oakland Exposition Building
1933 "Semi-Formal Gardens" "
1934 "Gardens of the Orient" "
1935 "Manor Gardens of England" "
1936 "Chateau Gardens of France" "
1937 "Nature's Gardens" "
1938 "Nature's Gardens" "
1939 "Shangri-La" "
1940 "Gardens of Fairyland" 7 "
1941 "Rainbow Forest" "
1942 "Floating Gardens of Xochimilco" 9 Lakeside Park
1943-
1945		 no show during WWII  
1946 "El Dorado" Oakland Exposition Building
1947 "Fantasia" "
1948 "Western Wonderlands" 10 "
1949 "California" (for state centennial) "
1950 "Pacifica" "
1951 "Outdoor Living" "
1952 "Today's Gardens" "
1953 "Southern Azalea Gardens" "
1954 "Redwood Vacation Lands" 8 "
1955 "Rainbow Waters" Oakland Auditorium?
1956 "Autumn Splendor"
(held in fall; 'spring' dropped from name)		 Oakland Exposition Building
1957 "Lost Horizon" "
1958 "Mood Mediterranean" "
1959 "Northern Lights and Southern Shadows" "
1960 "From Kew to Kyoto" 13 "
1961 "Happy Isles" "
1962 "Western Woods and Waters" "
1963 "Valley of the Giants" 14 "
1964 "Enchanted Forest" "
1965 "Gardens of the World" 12 "
1966 "Symphony of Flowers" "
1967 "Floralia" 11 Oakland Coliseum Arena
1968 ? "
1969 "Pacific Paradise" "
1970 "Adventure in April" Lakeside Park
1971 "Oriental Interpretations" "
1972 "Gardens Are For People" "
1973 "Fiesta de los Jardineros" Dunsmuir Hellman House
1974 "Dunsmuir Reflections" "
1975 "El Dorado Days" "
1976 "Flags and Flowers" Lakeside Park
1977 "California Magic" "
1978 "California Carousel" "
1979 "California Classic" "
1980 50th Anniversary Dunsmuir Hellman House
1981 "Springtime at Dunsmuir...An Urban Affair" "

1974

Films

Links and References

  1. California Spring Garden Show, 1946 (and 1941?) films on Internet Archive
  2. Spring Garden Show Opens in Oakland Lodi News Sentinel April 26, 1949

  3. Historical Dates Past Events for The Office of Parks and Recreation

  4. Tribute Paid to Callaghan Oakland Tribune April 20, 1933

  5. Preview Will Open Garden Show Tonight Oakland Tribune April 20, 1933

  6. Garden Show Housed in Giant-Size Window Box Oakland Tribune April 26, 1953

  7. 'Gardens of Fairyland' Ready to Charm Thousands Oakland Tribune April 30, 1940

  8. 'Redwood Vacation Land' in Oakland Oakland Tribune May 2, 1954 (p2)

  9. Garden Show Has Colorful History Oakland Tribune May 3, 1953

  10. And Now, On With The Show! Hayward Daily Review April 27, 1977

  11. Gardens in the Round for the Goddess of Flowers Oakland Tribune April 30, 1967

  12. SF Coed Crowned Garden Show Queen Hayward Daily Review April 23, 1965

  13. Waterfall 'Goes Up' For Garden Show Oakland Tribune April 13, 1960

  14. This Is Season Of Green Thumb Hayward Daily Review April 7, 1963

  15. Annual Oakland Spring Garden Show Assured Hayward Daily Review November 24, 1956

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