H79.125.1H

(Typed at foot of page) "MONTGOMERY WARD COMPANY. Located in Oakland in 1923. Since then they have doubled the size of their building and are again crowded for room."; negative also (DC 10-94) Per Monclarion article, 8-30-94: Success and growth were rapid. By 1888 annual sales had reached $1 million. The first West Coast location for Wards was Portland, Oregon. The company later selected Oakland to be the primary distribution center for the Western states. Oakland's harbor and the major rail lines terminating here were the deciding factors. Company architect W. H. McCaully designed the eight-story multi-window paned structure which was situated in a park-like setting on East 14th St., the East Bay's key east-west thoroughfare. The complex opened to great fanfare in 1923. (Article continues re: hoped for preservation of the now empty building.)

Used: Fred T. Wood Co. Inc. Realtors