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CC SA-BY Our Oakland

The Hotel Harrison is a large, brick building at 14th Street and Harrison, constructed as a hotel in late 1914 / early 1915. 2,9 It is currently used as affordable housing.

Roger Coit (see also the nearby Coit Hotel) was manager when the hotel opened. 2 It was designed by [J. Watson Olver?] Olver and Thomas, architects, and built by F. A. Mueller. 6

The Oakland Business and Professional Women's Club met at the hotel in the early 1920s, until building their own clubhouse in 1926. 4 Although not as large as the nearby Hotel Oakland, the hotel was a frequent meeting place for groups like the American Legion.

In 1929, Mrs. Byrne Kelly of Hollister purchased a half interest in the hotel, and moved to Oakland to assume the manager's position. 5

The building underwent a remodel in 1933, and Mr. Claire Bottenfield was appointed the resident manager. The building was owned and operated by the William Frisbie Lewis Company (Irving C. Lewis, president). The Red Lion Tavern, a tavern and coffee shop, was on the ground floor. 1

The building immediately to the north was the Harrison Apartment Building, and home to the Hotel Harrison Grill beginning in 1917. 3

The large neon blade sign dates to at least 1929. 6

CC SA-BY Our Oakland CC SA-BY Our Oakland 1915 9

1933 1 1958 8

Links and References

1936 ad

  1. Hotel Re-Decorated Oakland Tribune August 6, 1933
  2. Association Completes Plans Oakland Tribune November 22, 1914
  3. 1917 ad Oakland Tribune March 4, 1917
  4. Events for Tomorrow Oakland Tribune January 11, 1922
  5. Hollister Woman Buys Oakland Hotel Oakland Tribune June 30, 1929
  6. Harrison and Fifteenth Streets Historic District National Register of Historic Places
  7. Hotel Harrison is Robbed by Bandit Pair Oakland Tribune January 19, 1921
  8. ohrphoto.dpoa8.009 Oakland History Center, Oakland Public Library
  9. New Oakland Hostelry Opened Oakland Enquirer January 9, 1915
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