Stockton - California Street Now and Then

Informational page only, our practice is limited to Residential Real Estate.

I have created a series of pages covering the streets of Stockton. Scroll down the page or click on a link at the left to see another page. These pages grew put of my love for both architecture and photography. The old photos came from various sources such as The California Photo Library, Calisphere, Library of Congress, UOP Archives, USC Library. OAC Library, friends Facebook and many others. I literally photographed thousands of photos of Stockton buildings. I continue to photograph Stockton on an ongoing basis.

When viewing photos on this page, you can click on a thumbnail to enlarge it and click again to reduce the size. Once you've enlarge a photo, you can turn the page into a slide show by clicking on the arrows shown in the enlargement. At the right of the page is an RSS feed, typically updated with fresh content hourly. Come back tomorrow and the topics covered will be different. I have included many topics on the various pages, including architecture, photography, books camera equipment reviews. Hover over the box at right  and you will find a browser bar to control the feed content. These pages are an ongoing project with changes being made regularly. Enjoy!

California Street is a North South Street originating in  South Stockton and S. El Dorado and continuing to Alpine Avenue


STOCKTON IS ALIVE AND WELL - JUST NOT DOWNTOWN

While Downtown Stockton was hanging on to it's old ways i.e. Lack of parking crowded streets, not attracting new businesses, demolishing businesses to create massive public buildings, demolishing a nine square city block area in the name of redevelopment (i.e. chasing people from downtown Stockton). North Stockton was busy building large shopping centers with free parking, with new businesses coming in from outside the area along with acres and acres of new housing surrounding these new shopping centers and existing residents fleeing the older neighborhoods for spacious new homes.      

Still downtown Stockton, an area of approximately 550 acres, has suffered as the surrounding city has grown. DUE TO THE GROWTH TO THE NORTH, DOWNTOWN IS NO LONGER THE GEOGRAPHIC OR COMMERCIAL CENTER OF TOWN, but is left with a severely deteriorated retail function specializing in lower end of the market hotels and a poor, minority impacted social structure. ITS USES ARE BASICALLY INSTITUTIONAL AND GOVERNMENTAL IN NATURE FROM 8:00 to 5:00 and is the largest center for elderly housing in the valley. The lack of pedestrian activities and amenities and the cross town aerial freeway connector leaves a negative feeling among the citizens.

It attracts a population of retired elderly, transient workers and vagabonds (males and persons over 65) who make Stockton their semi-permanent residence, taking advantage of the inexpensive living quarters offered in the deteriorating hotels and apartments and the food program of the senior service center. The majority of the housing units and hotel rooms are occupied by weekly or monthly renters. The area is perceived by many as an unsafe place to go either in the day or night time. The edges are largely tattered, and the core area, mostly older 2-3 story structures, house the elderly and single poor.

Downtown Stockton has been designated a Stockton Enterprise Zone and the Redevelopment Area, designations from the state and city respectively, a myriad of incentives are available to business and property owners. These incentives are a  downtown attempt to attract new businesses and a destination for visitors and residents.

Virtually all shopping has moved north of Harding Way where you will find vibrant shopping areas and shopping centers. along Pacific Avenue such as THE MIRACLE MILE, WEBERSTOWN, SHERWOOD MANOR, LINCOLN CENTER and SPANOS PARK WEST off Eight Mile Road.

In addition Charter Way (now Martin Luther King Boulevard) and Wilson Way continue to be active retail areas as well. 

The photos on this page are a collection of now and then.

Click any thumbnail and it becomes a slideshow where you can then scroll through the slides. Or select Auto Play or use the mouse or keyboard arrow keys to scroll through all images

Former Hotel Lenox - 17 N. California 17 N. California - Former Hotel Lenox

Lao Thai Cousines / Former Pioneer Tomale - 19 N. California Former Pioneer Tomale - 19 N. California - Courtesy of Ron Chapman 19 N. California - Lao Thai Cousines / Former Pioneer Tomale 19 N. California - Lao Thai Cousines / Former Pioneer Tomale 19-N. California - Lao Thai Cousines / Former Pioneer Tomale - Left Photos courtesy of Ron Chapman. Middle Photo posted by Terry Gust

Ryleigh's Tavern / Delmonico's, Sterling Hotel, New California Hotel - 20 North California Ryleigh's Tavern / Delmonico's, Sterling Hotel, New California Hotel - 20 North California 20 N. California - 'Ryleigh's Tavern / Delmonico's, Sterling Hotel, New California Hotel - The building was constructed in 1906 and housed a small hotel on the second and third floor. ·The ·first floor was one of Stockton's most popular eating places. The restaurant was known as Delmonico's, and specialized in Italian-American food. By 1929 and through 1950, Danner "The Paint Man" Paints was located here. By 1955, Dane's Health Foods had taken over the space. By 1960, Gall's Men's Shop was located here.

00 Block North California Main Hotel - Courtesy of Ron Chapman 21 - Walt's Tavern / Now a parking lot
23 - Former Liberty Market
25 - California Clothiers - Now a parking lot
29 - Furhman Music - Now a parking lot
31 - Howard's Jewelers / WOW Club - Now a parking Lot - Left photo by Floyd Perry Jr.

Former Land Hotel - 24-34 N. California Former Land Hotel - 24-34 N. California 24-34 N. California - Land Hotel - The building appears on the 1917 and 1950 Sanborn maps. This structure was constructed in the late. 1890s by the Arndt family, who were active in local business. The building was the home to the Stockton Record newspaper until 1911. The second floor was known for many years as the Palace Rooms. There is no listing of this address in Stockton City Directories until 1905, when it was known as the Wakefield House. The name. changed to Hotel Wakefield in 1919, then became the Dawson Hotel by 1935. By 1940, the address was listed as the New Cal Hotel and L A Danner Prints.  Trocadero Tavern. Demolished September 2012
28 - The Record Shop - Demolished (in the former Land Hotel)

Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Hotel St Leo 39 N California St.

Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Hotel St Leo 39 N California St.

Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Hotel St Leo 39 N California St. Read More about Ghirardelli Read More about Ghirardelli

In 1849, Ghirardelli received news of the gold strike at Sutter’s Mill and sailed to California. After doing some prospecting, Ghirardelli opened a general store in Stockton, offering supplies and confections to fellow miners. Ghirardelli's tent-based store was one of the first shops set up in the area.

Several months later, Ghirardelli opened a second store on the corner of Broadway and Battery in San Francisco, which became, in 1850, his first establishment in that city.

A fire on May 3, 1851destroyed Ghirardelli's San Francisco business, and a few days later, his Stockton store also burned down. However, in September of the same year, Ghirardelli used his remaining assets to open the Cairo Coffee House in San Francisco. This business venture proved unsuccessful, and Ghirardelli opened a new store, named "Ghiardelli & Girard", on the corner of Washington and Kearny Streets in San Francisco. Soon afterward, Ghirardelli was making enough money to send for his family, who were still living in Peru. The company was incorporated in 1852 and has been in continuous operation since.

33-45 N. California Street - St. Leo Hotel - The Hotel St. Leo is one of several early Twentieth Century hotels constructed in Stockton. The St. Leo was built in 1913 and once hosted travelling salesmen and the out-of-town elite. Reading rooms at the St. Leo were upholstered in leather, and rooms there cost $1. The building possesses Renaissance Revival details. The exterior of the St. Leo Hotel retains much of its architectural integrity. Corner of Weber - Bottom Right photo, St. Leo Hotel - looking N.E. with Stockton Engineering College and Ghiardelli sign. Bottom Photo, Matthew Craig. Read More about the [About StLeo]

Other businesses in the ST. Leo:

33. N. California - Modern Appliance Store,
37 N. California - St Leo Coffee Shop,
39 N. California - Hotel St Leo .

The Hotel St. Leo, forced to close its doors in September of 1995 by city inspectors, was home to between 15 and 20 residents. A co-owner of the hotel planed reopened after some work to bring the building up to code. Naheem Akhtar, who, along with two brothers, owned the 54-room Hotel St. Leo at 39 N. California St. for nine years were committed to restoring the building.

They obtained a permit to begin work and solicited bids, and the estimated cost was quite substantial. In the meantime, the building remained empty. The hotels last guest checked out in September of 1995. after an order was issued the order to vacate the building.

In its heyday, the decades-old hotel was something of a jewel. However its fortunes, along with those of downtown Stockton changed with the times. The rusty red sign jutting from the corner of the four-story, brick building at the intersection of California Street and Weber Avenue became as much an advertisement for decay as for lodging.

Gated and vacant storefronts now haunt the buildings first floor while faded curtains hang in the windows above. Behind those curtains lived 15 to 20 people, most of them on welfare, in what became a rat-and roach-infested building with one toilet, broken smoke detectors, inadequate lighting in common areas, and a faulty fire alarm and escape system.

These conditions resulted in a citation and $250 fine for the buildings lease holder and manager at the time, Harry Waland. The hotels condition stemmed from a lack of close oversight by Waland. During his tenure, there were many violations which he did not correct.

The previous order to vacate the building had been issued in April 1994, mainly because windows opening onto fire escapes had been nailed or screwed shut. Waland was given the option of either opening the windows or installing a fire-sprinkler system in the hotels rooms. Waland contends he did maintain the building and spent $17,000 to install the fire-sprinkler system and bring the building up to code. The building was allowed to be occupied again about a month later. However when the Hotel St. Leo locked its doors again in 1995 it became the third such hotel to vacate that year as a result of the city's code-enforcement efforts.

36 N. California St. 36 N. California St. 34 N. California - Mark's Piano Company
36 N. California - New Dinette Restaurant
38 N. California - Pacific Finance
45 N. California - Weber Poultry Market / Central Drug Co (1940)

Former H.C. Shaw Company - 46 N. California St Former H.C. Shaw Company - 512-514 E. Weber Former H.C. Shaw Company - 512-514 E. Weber Former H.C. Shaw Company - 48 N. California St 46 N. California - H.C. Shaw Company - Next to right photo courtesy of Floyd Perry Jr. The building is still there, but heavily stuccoed over - Left photo California Street on the south side of the H.C. Shaw building

48 N. California - R.M. Layne Opt

N. California St - Weber Avenue Intersects

Click for Weber Avenue
102 N. California - California Water Service Company
106 N. California - C.E. Lindstrom Typewriters (1940)

108 N. California St. - Corner of Weber. - Humphreys College / Humphreys School of Business 108 N. California St. - Corner of Weber. - Humphreys College / Humphreys School of Business 108 N. California St. - Corner of Weber. - Humphreys College / Humphreys School of Business- 1930s & 1940s -  Today Bank of A&C sits on this corner
118 N. California - Campora Appliances (1976) / C.E. Pike Furniture (1940)

William P. Miller Carriage Manufacturing - 115-121 North California Street William P. Miller Carriage Manufacturing - 115-121 North California Street 115-121 N. California St. - William P. Miller Carriage Manufacturing  - Entire northern portion of the block demolished for the RTD. This remnant of a larger carriage manufacturing complex is important its association with William Payson Miller. Miller was a prominent citizen and businessman who established one of Stockton's oldest carriage· factories: Miller originally repaired and manufactured the large freight wagons, known as the "Stocktonian" which were used to haul large amounts of equipment and goods to the gold mines. When the demand diminished, he manufactured light carriages and stage wagons, at one point producing about 400 carriages a year. In the/ate 1860's, Miller replaced his original wood shop with a 2-story brick structure, later expanded into a larger and ornate brick building. Miller's carriage factory is present on the 1895 Stockton Sanborn map. The building remained unaltered, though its neighbors were modified, on the 1917. It was later occupied by Bums, Cigars. By 1940, the Goodman Barber Shop and Christensen Rea/Estate. By 1950, the businesses had changed to Stockton Beauty & Barber Supplies and the Mohaghan Typewriter Shop.
125 N. California - Pepi Pizza House Restaurant

126 N. California - WTCT Building - First English Lutheran Church (1940)

E.F. Williams - Wood Coal and Hay - 128 N. California St. 128 N. California - E.F. Williams - Wood Coal and Hay

129 N. California - Ralph White Bail Bonds
131 N. California - Sequioa Apartments (1940)
133 N. California - Gus' Liquors

135 N. California St. = J.N. Harrison & Sons Grocery - 1915 - Today part of the RTD 135 N. California St. = J.N. Harrison & Sons Grocery - 1915 - Today part of the RTD 135 N. California St. = J.N. Harrison & Sons Grocery - 1915 - Today part of the RTD

139 N. California - Subway Cleaners
142 N. California - Exchange Building (1940)
148 N. California - Arnie's Cocktail Bar

California & Channel - Stockton Business College California & Channel - Stockton Business College California & Channel - Stockton Business College - Courtesy of Floyd Perry Jr. California & Channel - Stockton Business College

California & Channel - SE corner Former Sunny's / Stockton Business College (1891) - 2nd from right photo, Floyd Perry Jr. - 1987 - Right photo, a bank parking lot today.

California & Channel - Grand Central Hotel

California & Channel - Grand Central Hotel California & Channel - Grand Central Hotel California & Channel - Former Grand Central Hotel California & Channel - Former Grand Central Hotel 190 N. California & Channel NE Corner - Grand Central Hotel - In 1890, John Henderson was the proprietor. Part of The Stockton Business College is showing on the right side  - Today a vacant lot - John Henderson - 1835-1897. Born in Scotland. To the USA and California via Cape Horn in 1850. He came to Stockton in 1854 and engaged in the restaurant business. He left Stockton in 1864, returning in 1869 to build the Grand Central Hotel.

N. California St - Channel Street Intersects

State Hotel - 201-215 N. California 201-215 N. California - NW Corner - State Hotel - Construction of the Hotel State was begun in October 1923 for the original property owner, L Boscou. Boscou contracted local builders Lewis & Green to erect the three-story hotel for an estimated cost of $30,000. The Hotel State was one of many hotels built in Stockton In the early 20th century to support the influx of visitors to the city emerging as the transportation hub of the Central Valley. Although the State Hotel has had alterations, it retains its overall form and detailing. The Stockton City Directories listed the State Hotel by 1930. Businesses in the hotel at this time included the State Drug Company (205), State Cafe (207), and Olson & Son Tailors (211). By 1935, the Drug Company had been replaced. A shoe repair shop (205), and P. M. Trucco Beer (201) had also rented a space in the hotel building. By 1940, Quality Paint opened a shop, and Hulsey's Business Services (211) replaced the tailor. By 1945, Boscoe Barber (203) replaced the .paint store, Steele Beauty Shop (207) replaced the restaurant, and a State Farm Insurance office (211) replaced the business services store. These businesses remained through at least 1950. According to State Office of Historic Preservation records, this property appears eligible tor listing in the National Register as a separate property. A good example of Renaissance Revival Style, despite alterations to the ground floor and replacement of windows. The masonry work is of a notably high quality.

On Jan. 13, 2015, the City Council approved a loan that will allow the Cort Group development company to renovate the building's facade, a prelude to plans for undetermined retail businesses on the ground floor and, eventually, possible housing on the upper floors. The building, which is about 90 years old, is at 201-215 N. California Street, across Channel Street from the downtown transit center

201 N. California Street 201 N. California - Quarter Horse Saloon / Former Pete's Tavern (Pete's Place) / Trucco Beer (1930) /Trucco Liquors /
203 N. California - True Classic - Piercing & Tattoo / Family Den Barber Shop / Tony's Barber Shop / Boscoe Barber
205 N. California - Hair's To You / State Shoe Repair / Lecera Shoe Repair / State Drug Co
207 N. California - McCombs Realty / Monarch Beauty Supply / Steele Beauty Shop / State Cafe
211 N. California - State Farm / Olsen & Son Taylors
215 N. California - Sutter Manor Hotel / Hotel State
214 N. California - Grider Electric (1959)
210 N. California - Walton Apartments - Demolished

212 N. California - Vacant lot - Former Selma Apartments (1925-1940) 212 N. California - Vacant lot - Former Selma Apartments (1925-1940)

215 N. California Street 215 N. California Street 215 N. California Street

222-230 N. California</b> - Pike's Furniture Store - Constructed in 1924 222-230 N. California</b> - Pike's Furniture Store - Constructed in 1924 222-230 N. California</b> - Pike's Furniture Store - Constructed in 1924 222-230 N. California</b> - Pike's Furniture Store - Constructed in 1924

222-230 N. California - Pike's Furniture Store - Constructed in 1924, and appears on the 1950 Stockton Sanborn Map. The first occupant of the building was the Pike's Furniture Store. By 1940, Matteoni's Liquors is listed at this address. By 1950, the California Furniture Company occupied the space, which was converted into the Anglo California National Bank by 1955. By 1960, the space changed hands again and was used as the County Assessors' offices. It is currently the San Joaquin Valley

426-434 E. Miner 231 N. California - Dunlap Hardware / Pacific Nash Motor Co (1930)
426 E. Miner - Former Smith Auto Park
434 E. Miner - Former Vince's Chevron
448 E. Miner - Former Jerry's Chevron Service / Former Service Cab Co.

240 N. California - California Furniture Outlet Calif &. Miner 240 N. California - California AutoTech /  Former Contenintal Trailways (1957) / Western Auto Supply (1930-1940), 240 N. California - California Furniture Outlet

N. California St - Miner Avenue Intersects

Click for Miner Avenue

501 E. Miner 501 E. Miner 300 N. California - Morris Auto Supply (1940)

301 N. California - Former Herb Hanson Union Service 301 N. California - Former Herb Hanson Union Service 301 N. California - Former Herb Hanson Union Service

316 N. California - California Apartments (1940)

317 N. California - Casa De Campeones Boxing Club / Former Midas Muffler Shop

California Smoke Shop & Deli - 338-340 N. California 338 N. California St. - California Smoke Shop & Deli / Williams Sporting Goods / Quigley & Trayer Grocery / Hess Dry Cleaning  (1930)
340 N. California - Former Porter Lee Laundry / Din How Laundry (1957)

Williams Apartments - 344 N. California 344-348 N. California St. - By 1919, 346 North California is listed in City Directories as the Williams Apartments, H. T. Williams, owner. By 1930, the retail space on the ground floor of the Williams Apartments, at 348 California, was occupied by J. M. Calvin, grocer. By 1935, the grocery space was vacant, but the space opposite at 344 California was occupied by Louis Smith's restaurant. In 1940, Pete's Lunch was in the restaurant space, and J. A. Mead's plumbing store was in the former grocery store. By 1945, the Hipperson Massage Parlor was at 344 and The Beauty Box at 348. In 1950, Manotti Liquors was located at 344 and the Very Gianetti Beauty Shop at 348. Later it was the Oakwood Club and Liquor Store is in the former. Manotti space. 346 - Williams Apartments (1940)

Former Del Monte Save Mor Service - 345 N. California Former Del Monte Save Mor Service - 345 N. California Former Del Monte Save Mor Service - 345 N. California 345 N. California - Former Del Monte Save Mor Service / C&B Richfield (1949)

Former Soup Sellar - 405 N. California California Pharmacy - 401 N. Californi California Pharmacy - 401 N. Californi
401 N. California - California Pharmacy 
405 N. California St. - Former Soup Sellar / Le Bistro Restaurant - Left photo
401 N. California - Lindsay Medical Center
411 N. California - California Pharmacy - Handy Spot Market (1957)
417 N. California - Wilma Beilby Furnished Rooms

Former Turnquist Associated Gas Station (1957) - 408 N. California Former Turnquist Associated Gas Station (1957) - 408 N. California 408 N. California - Former Turnquist Associated Gas Station (1957)

Manthy Apartments - Manthy Brothers Awnings - 418-420 N. California Manthy Apartments - Manthy Brothers Awnings - 418-420 N. California 418-420 N. California - Manthy Apartments - Manthy Brothers Awnings

Manthy Apartments - Manthy Brothers Awnings - 418-420 N. California 425 N. California - California Medical Building

430 N. California - Stockton Ice and Fuel (1940) - Demolished
431 N. California - Stockton Ice Cream Co. - Demolished
433 N. California - Brownies Cleaners - Demolished

Former Cazale's Flower Shop - 445 N. California Former Cazale's Flower Shop - 445 N. California Former Cazale's Flower Shop - 445 N. California 445 N. California - Former Cazale's Flower Shop / Collins & Cazale Flower Shop (1950)
447 N. California - Wallace Drug Co (1940)

Former Postal Instant Press - 448 N. California Former Postal Instant Press - 448 N. California Former Postal Instant Press - 448 N. California 448 N. California - Former Postal Instant Press / Bank of America Warehouse

Private residence / Former Lilian Blackwell Lodgings - 501-507 N. California Private residence / Former Lilian Blackwell Lodgings - 501-507 N. California 501-507 N. California - Private residence / Former Lilian Blackwell Lodgings / AT King Real Estate (1950)

502 N. California - Vacant Lot / Former Thornburg's Shell Service / Duke Shell Service

Former Miller's Place Tavern - 513 N. California St. 513 N. California - Former Miller's Place Tavern / Dad & Mom's Place Liquors (1950) - Looks like it was the garage for 501 N. California at one time.

519 N. California - Apartments - Demolished
521 N. California - Bones Insurance / San Joaquin Realty

Former Rymans Photo Finishing / Valley Photo Service / Hy-Klas Photo Service - 523 N. California 523 N. California - Former Rymans Photo Finishing / Valley Photo Service / Hy-Klas Photo Service
525 N. California - William Tesch Dentist

Five Forty Building - 540 N. California Street 540 N. California St.- Five Forty Building (Medical)

mith Apartments - 545 N. California St. mith Apartments - 545 N. California St. 545 N. California St - Smith Apartments

Former Scott's Stationary 21 S. California St 21 S. California - Scott's Stationary - Demolished
29 S. California - Lyman Grill Restaurant - Demolished

33 S. California - Clover Club - Demolished

39 S. California - Mason Hotel - Demolished

45 S. California - Cal Mar Club - Demolished

00 Block of S. California St 00 S. California - Those funny blotches are the reflections from the American Savings Building across the street - Maybe they are the ghosts of the demolished buildings

10 S. California

18 S. California St 18 S. California St 18 S. California St, just south of Main, late 1930s. visible are Berg's Clothiers,
20 S. California - The Fan Club & Cigar Store,
22 S. California - Wale's Candy and Ice Cream,
28 S. California - Stockton Printing, and Peffer Music and Home Furnishings. The tower on the roof is the broadcast antenna for KDGM. Photo from the Kevin Shawver Collection

22 S. California - Kappy's Hamburger Heaven
28 S. California - Tip Top Sandwich Shop

Peffer Building - 32-50 S. California 38-48 S. California Street - Peffer Building - Stockton City Directories show no listing at this address until 1930, when it was occupied by International Trucks. By 1935, B. L Remington Garage (who also occupied the building next door at 20 S. Aurora is listed. By 1940, Devine & Willard Auto Trucks were at this address. The building changed hands by 1945, when the Kraft Cheese Company had a facility here, and again by 1950, when the Republic Supply Company of California occupied the building.0-50 South California Street - Hunter Loan & Jewelry - This building appears on the 1895, 1917 and 1950 Sanborn maps. The 1895 map noted the presence of a paint shop, restaurant, drug store, and lodgings on the second floor. The 1917 map recorded a bicycle shop, and candy factory, among other businesses. The Stockton City Directory of 19211ists 38 S. California as the Golden West Rooms, and names five tenants. By 1930, the City Directory listed it as the Peffer's Music Studio Building, with a wide variety of tenants, including the Elmer School of Music, Peffer's Music Company, Radio KDGM, Monte's Bakery & Stockton Tamale Cafe, Stockton Coney Island, Stockton Seed Company, and Stockton Drug Company. By 1935, only the Coney Island and Peffer Music Company remained. In 1940, KDGM Radio, Peffer Music and a Post Office were listed. By 1945 the building was listed as vacant. In 1950, it again housed a variety of businesses, including a shoe store, women's clothier, the Stork Shop, two beauty shops, a confectioner's and a paint store. The shoe store, Stork Shop, and Stockton School of Beauty remained in the building through at least 1960. A second shoe store, a men's wear shop, and Lee Stores Vacuum Cleaners opened in the 1950s. There is currently a large pawn shop on the ground floor.

32 S. California - The Wearhouse
34 S. California - Hunter Square Loan & Jewelry
48 S. California - Stockton Shoe Mart

California and Market - Keyes House California and Market - Keyes House

Wolf Hotel from California Street - Courtesy of Floyd Perry Jr. Wolf Hotel seen from the 00 Block of S. California Street - Photo Courtesy of Floyd Perry Jr. Collection

S. California St - Market Street Intersects

Click for Market Street

SE Corner of California & Market 100 Block of S. SE California and Market - The Record
140 S. California - Ward Hotel - Demolished

SE Corner of California & Market 100 Block of S. SW California and 442 E. Market St. - Former Realty Building  -Now a  Parking Garage
105 S. California - Daylite Market (1950)
113 S California St - One Thirteen Club

141 S. California - Yale Apartments 141 S. California St. - Yale Apartments - This building is listed at the Yale Apartments starting in the 1912 Stockton City Directory. Ground floor businesses present by 1930 Include Tassano Antonia Gents Furniture, Barber Stables, Mike West Tailor, the Home Wiring Company and a grocery. By 1935, the furniture store was replaced by a physician's office, and the wiring company by a restaurant. Wong. Ankai Herbs, a Chinese herbalist, also had a shop here. By 1940, ground floor businesses included. the physician, an antique shop, barber, music shop, restaurant, furniture store and an herbalist, who remained through 1950. In 1945, the Directory also listed Rex Novelty Vending Machines. By 1950, a watch repair shop replaced the clothier, and a bar replaced the cleaners'.

147 S. California - Don's Grocery

S. California St - Washington Street, and Crosstown Freeway Intersects

210 S. California - Brenan Hotel

Peter Torseani- Body Works - 222 S. California - 1910 Peter Torseani- Body Works - 222 S. California - 1918 220-222 S. California - Peter Torseani- Body Works

225 S. California - Salvation Army Store
245 S. California - Blanche's Cafe  7 Bruzzone & Irwin
246 S. California - Xclusive Laundry

247 S. California - Claremont Apartments - 1920s - Demolished for Crosstown Freeway - Joe's Mexico City Cafe - 1967 (C.D. Sotelo)

S. California St - Lafayette Street Intersects

Mike's Union Station - 300 S. California 300 S. California - Mike's Union Station - Skip's Gas station in Rampage

303 S. California - Chapel of The Palms Funeral Home 303 S. California - Chapel of The Palms Funeral Home

305 S. California - F.E. Ferrell Fuel and Feed
345 S. California - Dinibulo Apartments - Demolished
421 S. California - Silvan Apartments - Demolished

Filipino Community Center - 443 E. Sonora Filipino Community Center - 443 E. Sonora California & 443 E. Sonora - Filipino Community Center

S. California St - Sonora Street Intersects

U-Save Market / Formerly Dom's Market - 443 S. California U-Save Market / Formerly Dom's Market - 443 S. California 443 S. California - U-Save Market / Formerly Dom's Market

705 S. California - A.F Toccoli
707 S. California - Stockton Show Door & Glass
715 S. California - Malan Van & Storage

845 S. California - Quality Cleaners (1957)

848 S. California - California Cat & Dog Hospital (1957)

Former Dolly Southwick's Dance Studio - 902-912 South California Former Dolly Southwick's Dance Studio - 902-912 South California 902 S. California - Yours N Mines Hair Salon /
Former Star Grocery (1957)
912 S. California - Former Dolly Southwick's Dance Studio

947 S. California - Tony's Market

Former Engine House Number 5 - 1127 South California 1127 S. California - Former Engine House Number 5. Moved to Lever Blvd and Eight Street and then moved to 3499 Manthy Road.

1148 S. California - Stockton Fruit Juice Company

1200 S. California - John Tillman - Leather Goods

1202 S. California - F.J. Meyers Grocery

1335 S. California - Lupitas Beauty Salon

S. California St - Charter Way Intersects

Click for Charter Way

Deportes Holanda / Former Normans Auto Supply - 1400 S. California St. 1400 S. California - Deportes Holanda / Normans Auto Supply / Green Frog Food Emporium (1942-43)/ Piggly Wiggly (1937)

Former Frank's Southside Barber Shop (1957) - 1410 S. California St 1410 S. California - Frank's Southside Barber Shop (1957)

Former Lucky's Milk and Ice Cream - 1420 S. California - Courtesy of Ron Chapman 1420 S. California - Former Lucky's Milk and Ice Cream Right photo courtesy of Ron Chapman

Salam Market / Former King's Market - 1749 S. California 1749 S. California St. / Salam Market / Former King's Market

HEIDELBERG INN-  California and 8th Street

Stockton Streets

Stockton Shopping

Stockton in Books

See also

External links

North California Street

Click here for South California Street

Looking north at Weber Avenue from California Street

7 N. California - Former California Floral

Former Lakefield House - Hotel Wakefield - 10 N. California Former Lakefield House - Hotel Wakefield - 10 N. California 10 N. California St. - Wakefield House - Hotel Wakefield - Law Offices - This building was named after its owner, C. H. Wakefield, a Stockton area farmer. The second floor served as the hotel and the first floor was used for commercial businesses. The 1917 Sanborn map shows the structure with two projecting bays. Stockton City Directories show no listing for #10 N. California until 1930. In 1925, the resident of #14 (part of the same building) •. listed simply as "Oriental." By 1930, Morris Plan is listed at #10; Fred Moore, optician, at #12; and L. T. Bong, whose occupation is listed as "herbs~ fn #14. The occupant of #10 remained unchanged through 1950. #12 is not fisted after 1930. #14 was vacant in 1935, but by 1940 and through 1945 was fisted as the Grace Moore Beauty Shop.

Main & California - Hotel Main / Hotel MacAllister Main & California - Hotel Main / Hotel MacAllister 11 N. California St. - Hotel Main / Hotel MacAllister - This building is present on the 1895,1917 and 1950 Stockton Sanborn Maps. The Stockton City Directory lists the Hotel MacAllister at this address in 1919. By 1925, the name was changed to the Hotel Main, and remained as such through 1950. It later became residential apartments with several commercial spaces below. - left photo, Floyd Perry Jr.
15 N. California - Sea Food Grotto Restaurant
16 N. California - New Cal Hotel

reviously The Downtown Motel - 322 N. California Previously The Downtown Motel - 322 N. California - Courtesy of Ron Chapman reviously The Downtown Motel - 322 N. California reviously The Downtown Motel - 322 N. California 322 N. California St. - Previously The Downtown Motel - Building Still Standing - Center photo by Ron Chapman

Pezzi Apartments - 327-331 N. California 327-331 N. California St. - Pezzi Apartments - By 1915, Stockton City Directories listed six tenants at 329 N. California, and a P. W. Mosher at 327. By 1921, eight tenants were listed at 329, ·and John Becker had moved into 327. By 1925, there were again six tenants at 329, and no other adjacent buildings were noted. By 1930, only five tenants were listed at 329, with Mother Lee's Pure foods on the ground floor 327 and the California Fruit Market at 331. Members of the Pezzi family had been in residence in this building since it was first listed, and by 1940, the building is listed as the Pezzi Apartments. By 1945, the ground floor businesses had changed to a restaurant owned by C. M. Harelson and J. T. Warren's grocery store. By 1950, the businesses had changed to the Cal Market Grocery and the M & L Meat Market.

Tom's Market / J.T. Warren Grocery (1940) - 331 N. California 331 N. California St. - Tom's Market / J.T. Warren Grocery (1940)

Aetna Apartments (1940) - 332-340 N. California Aetna Apartments (1940) - 332-340 N. California
324·330 N. California St. - This. building appears on the 1917 and 1950 Stockton Sanborn Maps as "8 apartments." Stockton City Directories listed as the Aetna Apartments starting in 1916 and through 1950. There is no record of the ground floor businesses. Also 328 - Aetna Apartments (1940)

332 N. California - Henry Konchrey Radios (1950) / Fred Timalus, a news director, / Philip Gee Laundry (1940) / Aetna Garage (1930)
334 N. California - M. R. Baker, Barber  (1950) / L. M. Hollinger Barber (1940)

DeYoung Memorial Chapel - 601 N. California 601 N. California St.- DeYoung Memorial Chapel

Former Tolbert Mobilegas - 602 N. California Former Tolbert Mobilegas - 602 N. California 602 N. California St. - Former Tolbert Mobilegas - Left photo posted by Kevin Shawver

Former Morris Brothers / Dawson's Van & Storage - 630 N. California Former Morris Brothers / Dawson's Van & Storage - 630 N. California Former Morris Brothers / Dawson's Van & Storage - 630 N. California 630 N. California St - Morris Brothers / Former Dawson's Van & Storage

Meeker Apartments (1940) - 633 N. California 633 N. California - Meeker Apartments (1940)

660 and 702 N. California 660 and 640 N. California 660 N. California St - Former Travaille's Real Estate and 640 N. California Former Morris Brothers  / Former Dawson's Van & Storage. Photo on the right, Former Travaille's Real Estate and Cal-Park Liquors

701 N. California - Vacant lot / Former Ferguson Dentist 701 N. California - Vacant lot / Former Ferguson Dentist

Cal-Park Liquors - 702 N. California Former Cal-Park Liquors - 702 N. California 702 N. California - Courtesy of Ron Chapman Cal-Park Liquors - 702 N. California 702 N. California - Cal-Park Liquors / Frank's Package Liquors / Hans Peterson Grocer (1940) - Left photo Kevin Shawver, middle photo, Ron Chapman

716 N. California 716 N. California

Family Youth Services - 729 N. California 729 N. California - Family Youth Services / First Channel Insurance / Former National Cash Register Company

740 N. California 740 N. California - Former Residence

747 N. California - Vacant lot / Former Acosta Garage & Texaco Service 747 N. California - Vacant lot / Former Acosta Garage & Texaco Service - Demolished

San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services - 826 N. California San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services - 826 N. California 826 N. California - San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services / Former Social Security Office

Former A1 Market / Home Town Grocery / Town Super Market - 840 N. California 840 N. California - The vacant lot in front - Former A1 Market / Home Town Grocery / Town Super Market - Demolished

845-847 N. California 845-847 N. California St. - Former James Baker Physician - Former Albert Eller Dentist

925 N. California - Apartments
1003 N. California - Apartments
1025 N. California - Massage
1029 N. California

1045 N. California 1041 N. California - Green Bros Pharmacy
1045 N. California - Webb Surgical Supply

N. California St - Magnolia Street Intersects

Click here for Former Stockton State Hospital / Stanislaus State University

1100 Block of North California Street

1111 N. California - Former Stockton Board of Realtors 1111 N. California - Former Stockton Board of Realtors

1117 N. California 1117 N. California - Residence

1123 N. California 1123 N. California - Residence

1127 N. California 1127 N. California - Residence

1145 N. California 1145 N. California

1201 N. California - Demolished

1212 N. California - California Health Care Services 1212 N. California - California Health Care Services

1420 N. California - Former State Armory - Courtesy of Ron Chapman 1420 N. California - Former State Armory - Courtesy of Ron Chapman 1420 N. California - Former State Armory  - Photos courtesy of Ron Chapman.

N. California St - Harding Way Intersects

Click for Harding Way

1501 N. California - Former Don Web, Realtor 1501 N. California - Former Don Web, Realtor / EJ Meister Drugs (1950)

1502 N. California - Jeff Webb - Baker (1930) - Demolished
1505 N. California - Parking lot / George Constantine Restaurant

1506 N. California - Former Abby Rents 1506 N. California - Former Abby Rents - Demolished

1521 N. California - Former George's Drive In - Courtesy of Ron Chapman 1521 N. California - Former George's Drive In 1521 N. California  - Shower's Hot Dog Stand - Shower's Frosty Ice Cream - Demolished  - Right Photo courtesy of Ron Chapman - On the right, Not any ordinary parking lot. This was the former George's Drive In at 1521 North California St. In 1957 / 1958 /1959 Shower's Frosty Ice Cream and Shower's Hot Dog Stand in the back was located here. 1950 Schaver Ice Cream Company
1605 N. California  - Parking Lot / Former JP Texaco

St Josephs Hospital

St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California St Josephs Hospital - 1800 N. California

1800 N. California  N. California - St Joseph's Hospital / St Josephs Home. "It began as a dream, then a prayer, a hope, and finally a reality. On March 19, 1899, Father William B. O'Connor and the people of Stockton gathered to celebrate the official setting of the cornerstone for St. Joseph's Home and Hospital." - Cards courtesy of Terry Gust

From concept to cornerstone:
The mission and vision of a Catholic priest

Fr. William Bernard O'Connor, born in County Cork, Ireland in Oetober 1841, left his homeland for missionary work immediately upon his ordination to the priesthood. He arrived in San Francisco in 1868. Joseph Sadoc Alemany, OP, Archbishop of San Francisco' was so impressed with this young priest's unusual ability, piety and zeal that he quickly appointed him to take charge of St. Mary's Church in Stockton. He celebrated his first Mass on S1. Joseph's Day, March 19, 1872.

Father O'Connor made significant efforts in his lifetime to provide foundations for education and health care in the Stoekton area. He was respected and loved by people of all faiths. "During the smallpox plague, which raged in Stockton during 1881, Fr. O'Connor went from house to house, visiting the afflicted, bringing them the consolations of religion, and speaking kind, encouraging words to the poor sufferers. He thus exposed his life daily."2 In 1875, he made application to the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael to help him establish S1. Agnes Academy Convent and School in Stockton. After establishing St. Agnes, Fr. O'Connor pursued his vision to build a home for men who would be cared for in their last declining years in comfort. On September 19, 1898, Fr. O'Connor's plans for the Home were announced: In July 1884, Fr. O'Connor purchased 9.23-+ acres of ground north of the city limits, facing California Street. Miss Julia Weber, daughter of Stockton founder, Captain Charles Weber, Mrs. Basilio Laogier, and Major J.D. Peters, presented the money for purchase of the property to Fr. O'Connor.s When the town heard of the plans for a home for old men, Dr. Ellis Harbert and a group of local physicians suggested that they constmct a hospital as well as a home. They pointed out the great need of the community for a suitable place to which they could bring their medical and surgical patients for specialized care. Doctors of Stockton pledged support for the project. Fr. O'Connor selected the name for the institution. S1. Joseph's Home, and dedicated the home and hospital annex on St. Joseph's Day, March 19, 1899. The cornerstone The cornerstone was put into place on March 1938 20, 1899, due to inclement weather on March 19.

Fr. O'Connor closely monitored constmction of St. Joseph's. It is said, "he saw every stick that went in to the building." Major J.D. Peters, Miss Julia Weber, Basilio Laogier and John Barrett made substantial donations. Estimated cost of the building was $30,000. St. Mary's parishioners with aid of the entire community of Stockton, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, organized a week-long fair to raise funds to finance the building.

St. Joseph's formally opened on December 21, 1899 with 25 hospital beds. Staff included: Fr. O'Connor, administrator; Sisters Philomena Kennedy, Margaret McNamara and Imelda Garvin; resident physician, RE. Allen, M.D., and head nurse, Miss Eliza McClain. Two patients were admitted to the home. Admission to S1. Joseph's Home for people ages 60 to 65 years was S2,000; from age 65 to 70 the full price was SI,500; from 70 to 75, $1,200 and from 75 up, $1,000. The fee included everything needed for the remainder of the resident's life food, clothing. washing, medical attendance, nursing when ill, nmeral and burial costs. Rates for patients at the hospital included single rooms, S18 to S25 per week. For a bed in a ward, containing four or five beds, the price per day was $1.50 to $2 a day. In 1900, S1. Joseph's offered a new concept in hospital care by offering it free-of-charge on Sundays.7

It wasn't until 1954 that the hospital added another major addition that included 52 additional beds, a dietary department and a coffee shop. In 1962, St. Joseph's added a $3.5 million south wing that included a 90-bed addition, large surgical suites with eight operating rooms, recovery room and intensive care unit. New psychiatric treatment. laboratory and nuclear medicine departments were added in 1966.

St. Joseph's expanded their hospital facility in 1996, with a 519.9 million project that included construction of the Heart Center, expansion of the Outpatient Surgery Center and Emergency Department.

Today, St. Joseph's is the largest regional medical center in the county with 355 beds, nearly 900 physicians and more than 2,300 employees.

March 3, 2010
Almost half of Terry Spring's 23-year career at St. Joseph's Medical Center has been spent overseeing the development, construction and opening of one of the St Joseph's Hospital's most ambitious projects in its 111-year history: the new Patient Pavilion at the corner of California Street and Harding Way.

It's been about a 10-year program. The actual building started in the summer of 2007. And that (construction phase) seemed to go faster than about everything else.

Patients begin moving into the $115 million, 152,000-square-foot, three-floor Patient Pavilion the weekend of March 20, 2010, a day after Bishop Stephen Blaire of the Catholic Diocese of Stockton blesses the building during a ceremony for 2,500 invited guests.

With 78 new beds, all housed in private rooms with private bathrooms, San Joaquin County's largest acute-care hospital now has 364 inpatient beds.

Highlights of the Patient Pavilion include:

» Two Healing Gardens in enclosed courtyards that enhance views and provide quiet, secure, outdoor places within the hospital.

» Meditation Room, sponsored by a $300,000 donation from the hospital's Employee Spirit Club.

" Patient Day Room, set up like a home kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker and kitchen table for patients and family members to visit.

A neonatal intensive care unit Family Room, where mothers and critically ill infants who have been discharged can spend a relaxed night in a regular bed before going home.

» Abundant artwork from 11 local artists, including photos and paintings of regional scenes, and children's quilts from Lodi quilters.

» Stained glass imported from France - visible from the pavilion lobby and Meditation Room - that was created by the same artists who produced stained glass artwork in the main hospital's Dove Lobby. It includes pieces of green glass connected to artist Marc Chagall and his windows in the Reims Cathedral in France.

In the center of each of the three floors is an egg-shaped room that provides \"an element of uniqueness, an identity for the building - a place where birth happens," Spring said. "This central space in the building represents the desire to protect the egg - protect the concept of faith and hope."

A 200-foot enclosed pedestrian bridge over Maple Street connects the main hospital from the pavilion and posed some unique construction challenges for San Francisco architects Anshen & Allen.

Built over an existing underground parking garage, the architects had to use caution about where to place the support columns to avoid blocking the public street or garage access, according to designer Agnessa Todorova. The fritted glass enclosing the bridge allows light in while keeping heat out on sunny days.

Another green aspect of the building includes the use of carpets and interior finishes that are low in volatile organic compounds, eliminating that "new carpet" smell.

Central Valley Cardovascular Association - 1805 N. California 1805 N. California&

1823 N. California  - Vic's Market - Demolished
2101 N. California  - Church of Christ

2308 N. California - Central Valley Cardovascular Association 2308 N. California St. Central Valley Cardovascular Association
Former businesses demolished at this location
2300 - Teitjen Meats
2312 - Cal-Pine Barber Shop -
2314 - Jakes Well Liquors / Risso Bros Market

2309 N. California St - Mini Max / Former Wilson & Coffey Appliances 2309 N. California St - Mini Max / Former Wilson & Coffey Appliances

ogue Cleaners - 2315 N. California St 2315 N. California St - Vogue Cleaners

2333 N. California  - Physician's Building
2420 N. California  - Medical Art's Building
2510 N. California  - Oak Park Community Hospital
2626 N. California  - Stockton Labor Center
2700 -N. California   Oak Park Trailer Court - Demolished for Labor Center
2815 N. California  - Monigal's Grocery - Still Standing
2821 N. California  - Chris & Inkies Restaurant - Demolished

Street Car Barns and Offices - 2850 N. California St Street Car Barns and Offices - 2850 N. California St 2850 N. California - Alpine Market / Former Centromart #6 / Street Car Barns and Offices -Built in 1907 The first Stockton built 10 horsepower electric streetcars were introduced in 1892 to replace horse and mule drawn trolleys used since 1875. The Stockton Electric Railroad Co. built the Streetcar Barns and Office Complex in 1907 and utilized this facility until 1941 after which gasoline powered motor coaches served as the primary mode of public transportation The building was added to the city register by resolution number 85-0307 on May 13, 1985

2860 North California Street - La Yolanda Panaderia / Former Alpine Mill & Lumber 2860 N. California - La Yolanda Panaderia / Former Alpine Mill & Lumber

3209 N. California  - Norman Confection - Demolished

3212 N. California  - Oak Park Inn Tavern / D.E. Dishman Restaurant (1950) - Ron Chapman Photo

Click for Alpine Avenue

South California Street

West side of California in this block all demolished for the American Savings building
7 S. California - Stockton Hearing aid Center - Demolished

17 S. California - Pope Drug - Demolished

Stockton's California Street . Stockton's California Street Now & Then