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before and after 1933 remodel 2

The Park Building was in the center of the block on the south side of 14th Street between Broadway and Washington. It was built in 1878 by W.W. Camron and known as Camron Hall or the Camron Block. Clinton Day was the architect. 3,4 The building (and numerous others) were later demolished, and the area is now part of Oakland City Center which broke ground in 1972.

The first tenant of the theater space was the Central Baptist Church. 5

Camron Hall 1

Building Updates

The 1889 Sanborn labels it the Cameron Block, and notes that it was formerly a theatre on the 2nd and 3rd floors and was being refitted for offices. Henry R. Miller converted the theater space into a lodging house and renamed it Park House. 6

The 1902 Sanborn labels it the Park Building, and says it is being rebuilt.

In 1933, it was remodeled by architect Edward T. Foulkes as part of a wider downtown remodeling program. This drastically changed the appearance of the building. 2

1889 Sanborn1902 Sanborn

1907 7c.1930 8c.1933 9

Note the Sherwin Williams sign on the top of Maxwell Hardware to right in the c.1930 and c.1933 photos.

1940s, at far right

Links and References

  1. A Steeple Among the Oaks: A Centennial History of the First Methodist Church 1862-1962 by Albert E. Norman
  2. Modernization by Edward T. Foulkes Architect and Engineer September 1934
  3. Camron's Block Oakland Morning Times April 24, 1878
  4. Additions and Corrections Oakland Morning Times April 25, 1878
  5. Central Hall Oakland Morning Times June 2, 1878
  6. Mortgaged to the Regents San Francisco Call Bulletin November 27, 1890
  7. ohrphoto_cityhall_012 Oakland History Center, Oakland Public Library
  8. ohrphoto.dpoa10.012 Oakland History Center, Oakland Public Library
  9. ohrphoto.dpoa10.013 Oakland History Center, Oakland Public Library
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