H74.58.106

(Mosswood Park located at corner of MacArthur & Broadway, Oakland) Photograph. Description: Entrance. Black and white print, with border. Title: Mosswood Park. (4/2002, G. Weininger, from DeWitt Jones, Oakland Parks and Playgrounds, 1935): This estate was purchased by Oakland for $72,000 in 1912 as the result of efforts of Mayor Frank Mott. The park is now the site of the Vagabond Theatre, a large truck with a well-equipped stage, which moves around among California towns. Bibliography: The Beginnings of Oakland A.U.C. by Peter Thomas Conmy; Oakland Public Library, 1961 Frank Kanning Mott was born in San Francisco on January 21, 1866, but was brought to Oakland two years later. His father passed away in 1877, in his eleventh year, and he was forced to help support the family as he was the oldest child. From messenger boy he advanced to hardware and by 1890 was a partner in the business. He was a member of the City Council from 1895 to 1905 in which year he was elected Mayor, serving until 1915, ten years in all. He was a great mayor and much progress took place. In later years and down to the time of his death, he was Right-of-Way agent for the city. He died on December 16, 1958, a month from what would have been his ninety-third birthday.