c.1930 1
The Playter Block was a commercial and residential building. The triangular building, at the gore corner of Broadway and San Pablo Avenue, had stores and entrances on both Broadway and San Pablo. The southern portion of the building was demolished and is where the Lionel Wilson Building now stands. The remaining portion is shown in this c.1930 photo taken on the Broadway side, which shows the Wilson Building (built as the First National Bank of Oakland Building) at the far left. This northern portion was later demolished.
The land was owned by George C. Potter. The building was constructed by Ely Playter, who served as Oakland's 4th mayor.
1889 3
September 1904 parade 2
A September 1904 view northeast across San Pablo Avenue to Admission Day Parade. Native Daughters of the Golden West marching south in white dresses with parasols. Later, this area became Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. In the background at right is the Playter Block at the gore corner of San Pablo and Broadway, a large portion of which was demolished in 1906 and replaced by the First National Bank of Oakland Building (completed 1908) which stands in 2025 renamed as the Lionel J. Wilson Building. In the Playter Block, Bowman's Drugs (1201 Broadway), Standeford's Candies (10 San Pablo), Southern Pacific ticket office (12 San Pablo).
undated (pre-1906) postcard view
An undated postcard, an elevated view northward over the San Pablo Avenue and Broadway intersection, with the Playter Block at lower center. Photo by Charles Weidner.
Note the multiple address renumberings on the San Pablo side.
1889 Sanborn
1902 Sanborn
1912 Sanborn
1951 Sanborn
Links and References
- ohrphoto.dpoa10.069 Oakland History Center, Oakland Public Library
- OpenSFHistory / wnp26.785 Open SF History Program of Western Neighborhoods Project
- copl_066_page028 Oakland History Center, Oakland Public Library
