The Oakland Gas Light Company (sometimes referenced as the Oakland Gas-Light Company, the Oakland Gas and Light Company, and/or the Oakland Gaslight Company; later the Oakland Gas, Light and Heat Company) was founded in 1866. The company's first president was Anthony Chabot.

Broadway was lined with gas lamps installed by the Oakland Gas Light Company in 1867.

In 1874 H. H. Haight was the President, and V. L. Eastland, Superintendent located in offices on 1st Street, between Broadway and Washington Street.

Circa 1884, the company changed its name to the Oakland Gas, Light and Heat Company.

In 1889, John A. Britton became president of the company, and guided its growth and eventual merger into what is now the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, where he served as vice-president and general manager.

William Watrus Crane, Jr., former mayor of Oakland, served as president of the Oakland Gas and Light Company.

Article below [page 64] from Oakland, Athens of the Pacific by George W. Calderwood, Oakland (Calif.). Board of Trade, G. T. Loofbourow, Merchants' Exchange (Oakland, Calif.) 1897, showing a photo of the Oakland Gas, Light and Heat Company building. The 1898 directory lists works at 2nd and Washington, Grove (now MLK) and 2nd, and 1st and Grove.

2nd Street and Washington, 1889 Sanborn excerptGrove Street, 1889 Sanborn excerpt

Fixture at MLK Jr. Way and 36th StreetFixture at 250 Sheridan Avenue, PiedmontFixture on Alice Street

Links and References

  1. Men of the Pacific Coast Pacific Art Co., S.F., 1902