Lodi Pine Street Then and Now

In 1902 Lodi's Pine Street was thriving. Located on the Southern Pacific Railroad fourteen miles north of Stockton. It was the second town in size and business in San Joaquin County. There were two wineries and a cannery, enabling the farmers to find a ready market for their fruits and Vegetables. There were five churches, public and high schools, bank, wells Fargo Express office and telegraph and telephone offices.

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The photos on this page are a collection of past and present.

111 E. Pine George Tasaki - Auto Repair / Pine Street Garage (68)

From 1908 to the early 1930s, a fire bell inside the arch alerted volunteer firefighters when they were needed.

In 1909, the Lodi Parlor of Native Sons stole a paper mache bear that the Stockton club used as a parade float decoration. The Lodi group put the stolen bear on top of the arch, facing south toward Stockton. In 1934, a new, sturdier bear was built and painted gold.

In 1956 the aging arch had become an eyesore. Some wanted it torn down. Others started a “Save the Arch” campaign and restored it. Among the renovations, the bear received an extra layer of plaster and was turned around to face north toward Sacramento, the state Capitol. The arch was re-dedicated in 1956, at which time the paper mache bear which sits atop the arch was pointed north toward the state capitol. On June 14, 2001, the Lodi Arch Bear was rededicated after being given a 24-karat gold leaf finish by Lodi sign painter Tony Segale.

5 W. Pine St - Liberty Tax

10 W. Pine - Lodi Shoe Store (1920s)

Former A&W Plaque in front of 13 W. Pine where A&W Root Beer was first served. Lodi is more well known for its wines, however A&W Root Beer is another famous beverage that traces its roots here.

Roy Allen was in Arizona as a traveling businessman when he acquired a recipe of herbs, spices, barks and berries retired chemist that created a tasty root beer. Allen later settled in Lodi, where he decided to try out this recipe.

On June 4, 1919, he set up a stand outside of 13 W. Pine St. and made his root beer available to thousands of people attending a special homecoming parade for Lodi’s returning World War I veterans. People loved the root beer, and Allen started selling it in ice-cold mugs for 5 cents each.

He quickly opened more stands in Stockton and Sacramento. In 1922, he added a partner named Frank Wright. Combining the initials of their last names, the partners labeled their new beverage A&W Root Beer. By 1924 or 1925, they closed the Lodi stand, but rapidly expanded operations nationwide.

By 1954, A&W returned to Lodi, when they opened a restaurant at 216 E. Lodi Ave. which is still there today

18 W. Pine - Hale Building

121 W. Pine - Hansel & Ortman Oldsmobile

204 W. Pine - Former Grape Festival & Wine Show

In 1927, construction started on the Italian Renaissance-style brick building that had a basement, two floors, tile roof and Philippine mahogany floor inside. The building cost $70,472.20 to build and equip with everything from steel furniture and opera chairs to Venetian blinds. The city paid cash with income earned from the city-owned utilities. No tax increase or bonds were necessary.

Lodi City Hall was formally dedicated Feb. 22, 1928.

The police department worked out of the basement until 1967, when the new Public Safety Building was completed. In 1996, a $3 million renovation was completed on the building. It is still the headquarters for Lodi city government.

The building was dedicated on Feb. 12, 1910. By June, 400 residents had library cards.

After more than 60 years in this location, Lodi outgrew the old library, and a new one was built in 1979. This building then was used only for storage, but 10 years later it had a new purpose.

On Aug. 15, 1989, the old library building was re-dedicated as Carnegie Forum, where the Lodi City Council and other civic commissions hold public meetings.

The Lodi women first organized as a group in 1906. They were the Lodi Improvement Club organized to assist in Lodi’s progress and betterment. They raised money for the library and to provide better fire protection, streets and sidewalks, and garbage collection. Among the early projects was installing a water fountain on Sacramento Street to offer an alternative drink for the men who frequented the saloons.

In 1908, the club officially became the Lodi Woman’s Club. Construction on their club building began in 1922. The building featured an auditorium that was the largest in Lodi at the time. The building was delayed because they waited for designer A.B. Bassenett to return from Italy. The women felt he was worth the wait, and the building’s French doors and Italian Renaissance chandeliers, still in use today, show the effort. The building cost $51,000 to build and furnish.

When it was completed in March 1923, the club had 450 members. Dues were $5. Today the membership is more than 100. The building remains a busy place and is the location for weddings and other social functions.

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