PHOTO GALLERY
Moving the Blume House, 1974
The San Pablo Historical Society obtained funds from Chevron to move the house, and one of its out buildings, The Bunk House in order to save them.
The photo below shows the buildings moving down Robert Miller Drive toward San Pablo Avenue.
In the photo at top left, the buildings are making the turn into the San Pablo Civic Center lot.
San Pablo Avenue and World War II -- Music Row
San Pablo Avenue was the heart of the music scene during the war years. The bombing of Pearl Harbor had catapulted the United States into World War II. This act would forever change the life of the San Francisco Bay Area and would have a definite effect on San Pablo Avenue. Immediately, military bases in the area expanded, new bases were built, and shipyards arose almost overnight. Men and women by the thousands engulfed the area to find work. These new arrivals brought along their love of country music with them. They had money to spend and they wanted to hear "their" music. San Pablo Avenue cooperated with many new bars, honky-tonks, diners and large dance halls added to the scene, beckoning the weary worker or traveler. When the war ended in 1945, there were changes in the scene, but all in all, the music and entertainment continued for another eight to ten years. It was a wide, well-traveled thoroughfare running from downtown Oakland to the city of San Pablo, and was once part of the old Lincoln Highway, and later US 40. Between these two points, travelers passed through an unincorporated area featuring nightlife activities, both legal and illegal.
The following photos of the Bars, Taverns and Nightclubs of San Pablo show the remnants of the nightlife from a former era.
The following two sets of photo slides are of former businesses that were on 13th Street, now known as Rumrill Blvd.
San Pablo's Businesses on 13th Street
(North Bound)
Are you anxious to get out for a nice Sunday drive? Let's take a tour down 13th Street in San Pablo. A virtual one, that is. Here are some vintage photos acquired from the City of San Pablo dated 1976 of places and businesses that were once along 13th Street (now Rumrill Blvd.) Starting at the 1100 block of 13th Street (Rumrill Blvd) near Costa and ending near the corner of Market Avenue. These businesses are long gone, however, many of the buildings are still standing. The only one that has survived unchanged (except for ownership) is Farmer's Market. How many do you recognize or remember?
San Pablo's Businesses on 13th Street
(South Bound)
These are photos acquired from the City of San Pablo dated Jan/Feb 1976 of places and businesses that were once along 13th Street (which is now known as Rumrill Blvd.).
Starting at the Food Bowl Shopping Center at the 1800 block of Rumrill Blvd. near Dover Avenue, and ending at 1157 Rumrill Blvd. at Regina Avenue. Although the original businesses are long gone, some buildings are still standing. How many do you recognize or remember?