1910, courtesy Tim Sanchez
Cheney Photo Advertising photo
The Oakland Produce Exchange was built in 1903, filling the block between 11th and 12th and Harrison and Webster. Mrs. F. M. Smith (aka Mary R. Smith) spent $90,000 constructing the new building. It replaced a smaller structure at 11th and Washington 2 which dated back to at least 1891.
One might imagine that a concentration of produce, people, and horses led to some traffic problems and smells less than desirable to the surrounding merchants. In 1916 the exchange was looking for a new location; 5 the old location was soon suggested as a location for a new main post office. 6 The new location was the Oakland Produce Market south of 6th Street, and work began in August of 1917. 7
1912 photo 4
c.1913 photo 3
Cheney Photo Advertising 
Nov. 1916 photo 1
Links and References
- Scene of the old produce market at 12th and Webster streets Oakland History Center
- Oakland Produce Exchange Opens This Evening Oakland Tribune May 23, 1903
- Admission day celebration 1913 archive.org
- Outlook In County Roseate Oakland Tribune February 11, 1912
- Produce Site Is Heard In Council Oakland Tribune April 20, 1916
- Old Market Offered As P.O. Site Oakland Tribune January 5, 1917
- Work Begins on New Produce Exchange Oakland Tribune August 13, 1917
