Oakland Optimist Club - Oakland

The Optimist Club has had several branches of Optimist International, which is a worldwide volunteer organization "whose Members work each day to make the future brighter by bringing out the best in children, in their communities, and in themselves." ¹

The Oakland Optimist Club started in 1921. WWI flying ace Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and L. F. Dinkelspiel of H. C. Capwell's were charter members, as was architect Will G. Corlett. ⁴ R. C. Bitterman was the first president. Abe Bekins of Bekins Storage was the first sergeant-at-arms. ⁵ Their regular meetings were held at the Hotel Oakland. When that was converted to a U.S. Army hospital during WWII, the club met at the Leamington Hotel,

from 1921 Tribune ad ⁴

The East Oakland Optimist Club first met February 5, 1925. ³ Clarence N. Cooper was the first president.

The North Oakland Optimist Club was chartered February 27, 1947. ² Conrad J. Lund was the first president. ⁶ Their regular meetings were at 6533 Telegraph; by the late 1950s their regular meetings were at Art's Buffet at 4031 Broadway.

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