photo CC SA-BY Our Oakland

Bill Louie's Corner is the northeast corner of 8th and Franklin Streets in Chinatown. It was named in honor of Bill Louie (? - 1998), the much-loved owner of a Texaco (formerly Richfield) gas station at that corner from 1952 until 1988. The city named it in his honor following his death in 1998. 1 According to author William Wong, Mr. Louie sold the property what was then a record price per square foot. 2

Northeast corner of Franklin and 8th Streets in downtown Oakland, California. 3 North side of 8th Street between Franklin and Webster Streets, March 1958. 4

Links and References

  1. In Oakland’s heart, a different world Oakland Tribune July 3, 2005
  2. Oakland's Chinatown, William Wong, Arcadia Publishing, 2004
  3. Downtown Property Owners Association, Oakland Public Library collection
  4. Downtown Property Owners Association, Oakland Public Library collection