2nd Street at Castro Street
This is a mystery access cover. The site is where Oakland’s original gas works was located, back in the 1800s. As I understand it, they manufactured gas by roasting coal in those days. “H & L Co” stands for “heating and lighting company,” but I expected this to have an “O” for Oakland, like the later Oakland Gas, Light and Heat Company.
The other odd bit about this lid is its scallop design, attested in only one other place, the ancient Sunset Telephone & Telegraph Company lid on 6th Street.
Oakland Underfoot 