Oakland Underfoot

1862 Arch Street, Berkeley

Blake & Bilger marks are rare and special, so I’m pleased to add a new year’s date from this iconic Oakland firm.

1876 Arch Street, Berkeley

There is only one example of this mark in Oakland, from 1918.

2107 Addison Street, Berkeley

This is in front of the Hot Cups Cafe. The building has a plaque on the front, on Shattuck Avenue, stating that it was the first site of the California Academy of Arts and Crafts (now CCA).

Arch Street, at The Berk (2311 Le Conte Avenue), Berkeley

There’s just one example of this mark in Oakland, from 1904.

1631 Spruce Street, Berkeley

Oakland has a single example of Reed’s mark, barely over the Berkeley line.

1529 Le Roy Avenue, Berkeley

Both this and the other 1908 (formerly 1906) Esterly mark are on the Hayward Fault, so it’s not clear how much longer they’ll last.

1529 Le Roy Avenue, Berkeley

A fine double mark, though the date is dim. Oakland has a double mark from 1907.