Podcast
Pamela's Paws On History
Hosted by Pam Rouse · EN
Project material for CSU East Bay HIST MA (audio transcription of my public history project site) and any other accessory projects.
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1820 Todd Street
Nov 23, 202100:01:01Tap to summarize1820 Todd Street (possibly 62nd Street) Being an established part of the larger community continued to be an issue for many people of color. In 1917, successful South Asian immigrant shop-owners Vaishno Das Bagai and his wife Kala hoped to move their family to South Berkeley. Mr. Bagai purchased a home at 1820 Todd Street where, like Mr. Shima, intended to live and raise his family while working in the city. When the Bagai family rolled up to their home, they found the neighbors had changed the locks on the door. Distraught, Kala Bagai demanded they return back to San Francisco, where they lived until Mr. Bagai's unsettling death. There's a lot more to the Bagai family story, and to Kala Bagai specifically. You can find a video from the South Asian American Digital Archive on Kala Bagai’s life and activism elsewhere on this site under “Berkeley Communities” page.
Transcribe →1401 Spruce Street
Nov 21, 202100:02:15Tap to summarize1401 Spruce Street The following is an example of a small letter-writing campaign In August 1920: Neighbors Florence White and Vera White-Henning wished to personally send a note of protest regarding Mr. David Walker renting his small house (which adjoined their property) “to a large household of Japanese.”[7] They noted that “You will be doing a great favor to our neighborhood by dis couraging (sic) the above invasion.”[8] Another neighbor, Mrs. Catherine E. Dyer intimated a shared secret or rumor: “Information has been brought to the undersigned that a house in this immediate neighborhood, #1401 Spruce St, is to be rented to Japanese laborers.” Her small, folded note continued that this was a formal protest against “the practice of some property owners in this city of renting houses in desirable neighborhoods to Japanese and thereby not only devaluing property values but also making the neighborhood undesirable where there are young children.” She ended her note acknowledging to the city council there is no law to prevent the rental of property, but that more publicity should be given to these occasions as they might discourage such rentals in the future.[9] A third letter from Mrs. Graunell, wrote to inform the city council “on the southeast corner of Rose and Spruce is going to be rented to Japanese which will be most objectionable to the whole neighborhood…” then implores them to “do all in your power to stop this nuisance and will you act upon it.. directly.”[10] A final letter of complaint typed out from a Milvia Street address. The writer, Ms. Tibbs, purchased property immediately opposite Mr. Walker’s property at Rose and Spruce Streets and noted to the City Council: “I am moving from my present place partly on account of the presence of Japanese not far distant and feel it an injustice to have what I assume to be a good neighborhood immediately spoiled by such a condition.”[11]
Transcribe →2610 Fulton Street
Nov 21, 202100:01:08Tap to summarize2610 Fulton Street A request to move a house was brought before the city council in September 1939 for approval, as simultaneously, a petition of protest had been filed. Ms. Gill had requested to move the home from 2442 Derby Street to the 2610 Fulton location. A gentleman representing the new owner came before the council explaining the home would be renovated and become an asset to the community. Another neighbor, F.E. Nichols, who lived near the new Fulton Street address supported the move and stated the complaints were because rumors were started implying “that Japanese or colored people were going to live there, but that if this was the case, he would not be in favor of it.” On that, the motion was approved to allow the move to go through, (assuming all building ordinances were adhered to).
Transcribe →1777 Euclid Avenue (Euclid Hall)
Nov 21, 202100:00:58Tap to summarizeIn August 1924 a petition was circulated and sent to Berkeley City Council, demanding that the proposed building, (now known as Euclid Hall) not be built near Euclid and Ridge Road, suggesting instead the area was more suitable for apartments and hotels –– and that “there has been so much prejudice and agitation against Orientals dwelling in restricted neighborhoods, it is evident that this will decrease the general desirability of such property.” They then suggest that a more suitable location would be a side street among fraternity houses where they “would not interfere with families who wish to reside in this attractive district.” They end their protest petition with the request that the 40-foot site on Euclid be rezoned to "Class 1" (single-family zoning).
Transcribe →2211 Stuart Street
Nov 21, 202100:01:23Tap to summarize2211 Stuart Street... In 1923 a petition was filed with the City of Berkeley against the selling of a home at 2211 Stuart Street to Chinese students who attended UC Berkeley. The Oakland Tribune covered the story behind the petitioning against former UC Berkeley football coach James Schaeffer, the original owner of the house. The petition proclaimed that “each of the undersigned had purchased their property with the knowledge that no Orientals were owners of any property or residing in the above-mentioned district, protest against this proposed oriental intrusion and respectfully request… by resolution or otherwise, to dissuade and discourage the said proposed transfer of said property to said Oriental…” Berkeley City Council passed a resolution giving its support to the property owners and their efforts to keep Orientals from the Stuart Street neighborhood. It was argued by the property owners’ spokesman that Schaefer had acted in the interest of the university students, purchasing the home and selling it after the Realty Board refused to sell the home outright. The group of owners declared they would attempt to bring pressure to bear to have Schaeffer buy the house back from the students.
Transcribe →1528 Shattuck Avenue
Nov 21, 202100:00:45Tap to summarizeIn July 1922 another request to move a building, this time 1528 Shattuck, (owned by F.D. Chase) was brought to City Council’s attention by D.F. Harris. Harris wanted to move this two-story building up the street just off Shattuck and Vine. He had previously been unable to get permission for the move from the neighbors because the owner, Mr. Chase, rented to Japanese, and the neighbors on Vine Street were concerned this would continue. Approval of City Council was only given after Mr. Harris assured everyone that the current rental arrangement would cease once the house was moved.
Transcribe →1932 Haste Street
Nov 20, 202100:01:09Tap to summarize1932 Haste Street Mrs. Betts, who lived across from 1932 Haste Street attended the Berkeley City Council meeting on 10 January 1922 to present a petition, signed by over 50 of her neighbors. The community was protesting against the realtor, Mrs. E.A. Stanford, from selling the property at the Haste Street location to Japanese. Mrs. Betts went so far as to point out that Mrs. Stanford had advertised to the Japanese community in a Japanese paper in San Francisco. Once again, the mayor of Berkeley, Louis Bartlett insisted there was nothing to be done. He suggested Mrs. Betts take her issue to the realtor directly or the Japanese who had bought the home. Eventually, the discussion turned to referring the matter to the City Attorney. A resolution was then drawn by directing the City Planning consultant, Mr. Carol Aronovici to consult with the realtor and Japanese purchasers to see if the sale could be terminated and report back to City Council.
Transcribe →1339 Stannage Avenue
Nov 18, 202100:00:50Tap to summarize1339 Stannage Avenue On 29 October 1920, a small piece in the Oakland Tribune noted neighbors Mrs. Oliver Parquet and Mrs. H.H. White appeared before City Council to protest the sale of 1339 Stannage Avenue to Japanese by Mrs. C.G. Hansen.[10] A petition was filed with the City of Berkeley “Protesting the sale of the property to Orientals near Camelia and Stannage.”[11] With approximately five pages of signatures, they requested unspecified relief from said purchase. The petition lacks any reason for the request, nor any suggestion of what relief they might find useful. A reader of the petition could not be faulted in assuming that the undersigned only wished the purchaser was not of Asian descent.
Transcribe →2539 Fulton Street
Nov 18, 202100:00:41Tap to summarize2539 Fulton Street According to City Council minutes, a petition requesting a district of Class 2 to be formed in the area bounded by Fulton, Parker, Ellsworth, and Blake Streets and was signed by many property owners in the district. However, it was brought up that Mr. Takaki who had a property at 2539 Fulton was in the process of building an addition to his home to create apartments (possibly) for other Japanese. They referred it to the Planning Committee with the idea that Mr. Takaki’s building permit be revoked.[3] [In the end, it was.... ps rouse]
Transcribe →1363 Berkeley Way
Nov 18, 202100:00:24Tap to summarizeJune 1920, architect and Berkeley resident Charles K. Sumner requested the Council take steps to prohibit African American tenants at 1363 Berkeley Way (which abutted his property). He was advised, “There is no legal relief available in the circumstance.”
Transcribe →