Looking for history of the California Hotel in Oakland

[JimW]

I had an office in Oakland, California for around 9 years, and every time I drove into the office I enjoyed looking at the California Hotel. I'm not sure exactly why, except that I've always been intrigued by older buildings - I like the old style architecture and like to daydream about their history.

So, I was hoping that someone looking at this forum might know of the history of this hotel. I have not been able to find any history on the hotel by searching online, and I don't own any Oakland history books.

Here are a few pics...

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/OpenRoad/CaliforniaHotel1.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/OpenRoad/CaliforniaHotel2.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/jwirth66/OpenRoad/CaliforniaHotel3.jpg

[Guy Lampard]

I don't know the answer but I would suggest you contact two sources. One is Heyday Press in Berkeley, a non profit book publishing and cultural organization. Secondly, contact the California Historical Society on Mission and 3rd in San Francisco. They have one of the best resource libraries for California history anywhere. Guy Lampard

[pirate queen]

I would add this suggestion to Guy's. Check in at the Oakland Library, California Room. A wonderful historical source for almost anything California. They will help you or direct you to someone who can. In time I bet Doug and his team will have a nice link page for places on the web to find the answers to these cosmic questions. There is for instance an Alameda County Historical Society, a California Architectural Society, etc. I have a love of old buildings as well. I support The John Marsh Historic Trust, The John Marsh Stone House is located in Contra Costa County, CA, in the town of Brentwood. It is a beautiful structure in dire need of restoration. It will eventually become the centerpiece of the newest State Historic Park in California. You can get more details from:
www.johnmarshhouse.com If you love an old building the best thing you can do is find out if there is already a group that also loves it and is working to preserve it. Support that group and offer to lend a hand to keep your beloved building in good "standing".

[oorahljim]

Jim;
Did you ever stop and get a closer look at this building?
Jim B.

[JimW]

Jim,

I don't work over in Oakland anymore, so I rarely drive by this great old California Hotel building.

One of these days I'll have to take a trip over there to do some exploring and report back on what I discover.

[djark]

Where can we found that area using this link http://www.mapjack.com/SanFrancisco

[nleslie]

Jim, the california hotel is currently used for low-income housing, but the residents are on the verge of being kicked out. apparently, the company charged with maintaining and operating the building has gone bankrupt, The following article in the berkeley daily planet has more details, including some allegations of misuse of public funds, tax dodges, etc.

http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2008-09-18/article/31121?headline=California-Hotel-Residents-Fight-to-Save-Their-Home

Some history at the end of the article:

"The California Hotel served as one of the premier African-American entertainment spots in the East Bay in the 1950s and 1960s, rivaling Slim Jenkins’ place in West Oakland. Dancer Ruth Beckford performed at the hotel’s Zanzibar Club, as well as such rhythm and blues singers as Little Richard, Sam Cooke and gospel great Mahalia Jackson. "