William Walsh (November 1846 – February 13, 1920) was a long-time business owner in West Oakland, and called by some the  “father” of the park that is now known as Raimondi Park. He started the Center Junction Saloon and Grocery at Center Street and Peralta Street in 1877.

Walsh was born in Ireland in 1846, and immigrated to the U.S. in the 1860s. He settled first in Marysville, California, then came to Oakland in 1876. He started the saloon and grocery in 1877, and built the Center Junction building. He married Catherine Lynch (Walsh) (August 4, 1859 – April 8, 1946) in San Jose on April 27, 1882, and they had four children: Rose Anne Walsh (February 21, 1883 – May 21, 1970), Mary Walsh (Cunningham) (March 1885 – February 16, 1916), William Edward Walsh (January 15, 1896 – May 4, 1903), and Elizabeth C. Walsh (February 20, 1896 – October 7, 1994). William Edward died of diptheria at age 12.

The family initially lived at Center Junction, but by 1903 they had moved to a house at 1644 - 14th Street (originally 1634 - 14th St.)

William Walsh was one of the local business owners who helped secure the land for what was then known as West Oakland Park, and later Bay View Park. The park got off to a slow start, in part because the area was marshy and needed to be filled first. A 1906 article called Walsh the “father of the West Oakland Park.” Walsh was also an advocate for building out the port in West Oakland (as opposed to along the estuary.)

He retired from the grocery and saloon business in 1904, but still owned property in Oakland and in Marysville and was active in civic affairs.

Death and Burial

Walsh died on February 13, 1920 of heart problems. He and other members of the Walsh family are buried in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Links and References

  1. William Walsh Funeral Monday Oakland Tribune February 15, 1920
  2. Funeral Rites Held for William Walsh Oakland Tribune February 16, 1920
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