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Mission Motel 2

The Mission Motel was a motel at 9235 MacArthur Blvd. (originally 9235 Foothill Blvd.). It was built in 1938, and had additions in 1945 and 1951. It was demolished in 1996. 1

It was one of the earliest examples in Oakland of a "regional theme tourist court". While there were a few other motels in Oakland before it, most visitors stayed either in "auto camps" or in hotels closer to downtown. 1

The motel was constructed in 1938 by Mr. and Mrs. Wilmer Wright, with 31 units. The grounds had elaborate landscaping. 3,6

1950 Sanborn excerpt

It became rundown over the years. In the 1990s, Earl Johnson tried to save it, but failed. It got a brief respite when the Oakland Museum tried raising money to buy the sign. 4,5

It was demolished in 1996 for the construction of the MacArthur Park affordable housing development.

Links and References

sign 2

  • Few Examples Remain of the Motel's Golden Era by Annalee Allen Montclarian August 8, 1995

  1. Historic American Buildings Survey HABS No. CA-2651 National Park Service

  2. Mission Motel at Library of Congress

  3. Mission Motel Purchased by Santa Rosan Oakland Tribune September 13, 1942

  4. Effort not enough to save motel Oakland Tribune November 21, 1994 (p2)

  5. Saved by the bell? Sign puts motel's demolition on hold Oakland Tribune September 29, 1995 (p2)

  6. Notice of Hearing Oakland Tribune March 3, 1938

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