date? 1
The House of Harvey was a restaurant at 320 Hegenberger run by Harvey Binns from 1957 to 1963. It was one of the first businesses to locate in the area, which Harvey liked to call "Airport City."
The restaurant opened in March 1957. It quickly became the base of a San Francisco 49ers booster club. Harvey would put together a group of planes to fly down to Los Angeles to see the 49ers play the Rams. 2,3 He also had a game day special including breakfast, a bus to Kezar Stadium, and a game ticket. Harvey also threw an annual party for the 49ers players. 6
After Harvey became an owner of the Oakland Raiders, he organized an overnight bus trip to Sacramento to watch the Raiders play the New York Titans, and regular trips to Kezar Stadium where the Raiders played until Frank Youell Field was built. Even after he sold his share in the team, he continued to support the Raiders.
Sadly, a fire all but destroyed the restaurant in May 1963. Only 2 employees were in the building when the fire broke out; both escaped unharmed. The kitchen and dining room were gutted. The recently built San Franciscan Room had smoke damage, but survived. On display was a $9,000 painting by artist Robert Rishell. 4,5
courtesy shuttle 1
Links and References
- Photos from Escover / Binns Archives
- Going Places Oakland Tribune March 16, 1957
- Going Places Oakland Tribune November 13, 1957
- Spectacular Blaze in Restaurant Oakland Tribune May 28, 1963
- Restaurant Fire Loss $125,000 Oakland Tribune May 29, 1963
- Going Places Oakland Tribune September 24, 1958
