4th and Madison, 1911 3
The Oliver Manufacturing Company built engines and other materials. It was owned by William Letts Oliver.
John E. Doak invented the Doak Gas Engine in 1892. He formed a partnership with William Letts Oliver and incorporated as the Doak Gas Engine Company. 3
They built a new plant in 1917, which when complete was to "cover the entire block bounded by Fourth and Fifth, Jackson and Madison streets." It was designed by Chester Miller of Miller and Warnecke. 1 The plant lasted less than 20 years, and was replaced with a warehouse for S & W Grocery Company (aka S & W Fine Foods) in 1937. 2 That warehouse was part of the Waterfront Warehouse District, but itself was demolished and replaced by a new residential building around 2020.
c.1917 Cheney Photo Advertising
Oakland History Center
1911 Sanborn excerpt
Links and References
- Making Engines For War Oakland Tribune June 17, 1917
- $250,000 Going Into Business Improvements Oakland Tribune May 11, 1937
- Greater Oakland edited by Evarts Blake, Pacific Publishing Co., 1911
