CC SA-BY Our Oakland
The Maclise Drugstore Building is a small flatiron building at 1633 San Pablo Ave. in downtown. It was built in 1897. Since 1983, it has been the home of Haley Law Offices. During the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, it suffered significant damage. It was seismically retrofitted by Interactive Resources. 1,3
NB: Some sources say the building was constructed c.1881, 1,3 but that may be when Maclise first moved into the previous structure.
When the building was built, it wasn't tiny, it was relatively large, being one or two stories taller than the nearby buildings. It became even more prominent after a 1950 fire damaged or destroyed all the other buildings in the block. 5 The 1951 Sanborn shows a line of 1 story concrete buildings built along San Pablo with 2 addresses through to Clay, and the rest of the block empty.
It was the home of Maclise's Drugstore from 1897 until at least 1930. Ernest Rogers (drugs) is listed in the 1935 directory. Beginning in 1939, Victor Zahlout is listed there (later Victor's Drug Store or Co.). Victor is listed there until the 1967 directory; he died in 1968 and the address is listed as vacant in 1969.
On February 20, 1979 the Maclise Drug Store Building (spelling as per the City of Oakland) was designated Oakland Landmark #25, under Zoning Case #LM 78-652. The building is also listed on the California Historical Places list.
On the back of the building is the serial People of Oakland Mural.
Giant-looking Maclise building (undated, post-1950) 2,5
photo by greenkozi
CC SA-BY Our Oakland
Maclise's Drugstore
Maclise's Drugstore opened in the 1880s, first appearing in the 1884-1885 directory. There was in an earlier two-story wood frame building adjacent to the Golden Eagle House. Those buildings still appear as late as the 1896 Illustrated Directory, when the address was 229 San Pablo, after an earlier renumbering from 1325 San Pablo but before the 1912 renumbering to 1633 San Pablo.
The current building was constructed beginning in 1897, on land owned by Theresa, Marie, August, and James W. Harding. Cunningham Brothers were the architects, and they had to petition the city council to allow the building to extend up to 15" over the property line. While it was being constructed, Maclise temporarily moved his building across the street to the Reliance Athletic Club building. 4
The date that Maclise moved into the new building hasn't been found yet. The drugstore is listed at 229 San Pablo in an September 1897 ad but that may have been in anticipation of the new building being completed. Another possible clue is that in December 1897, Maclise was selling old fixtures and display cabinets.
Maclise briefly sold the business to Bowman & Co. in 1902, but soon decided to repurchase it and continue in business himself.
James Maclise (c.1853 - August 23, 1924) was born in Ontario, Canada, and emigrated c.1880. He married Clara Deming (Maclise) in 1884. He died in 1924; she died in 1937.
1896 Illustrated Directory
1889 Sanborn excerpt
1902 Sanborn excerpt
1912 Sanborn excerpt
1951 Sanborn excerpt
Links and References
source?
- Interactive Resources website (via archive.org)
- East Bay Then and Now by Dennis Evanosky and Eric Kos San Diego: Thunder Bay Press 2004
- 1881 building gets post-quake rehab Oakland Tribune October 17, 1990 (p2) [ Note incorrect date in title ]
- Three Story Building to be Erected at the Junction of San Pablo Avenue and Clay Oakland Enquirer May 18, 1897
- Downtown Block Burns; 15 Saved Oakland Post Enquirer February 7, 1950 (p2)
