St. Joseph’s Academy (1870–1986) was a Christian school for boys under 15, founded by the Christian Brothers. It was originally located at 5th and Jackson Streets and occupied the entire city block bounded by Jackson, Fifth, Madison and Fourth Streets.
The academy aimed to provide boys “a superior Christian education”, while surrounding them with “all the comforts and safeguards of home”.
1887 attendance cost $250 per year, which included board, washing, and tuition. An article that year mentions they had 150 students. 4
In 1903, St. Joseph’s moved to Berkeley, after exchanging property with Francis Dunn who was operating a boys' school in Peralta Park. 5,6
In 1969 they moved again, to Mont La Salle in Napa, 1 where lack of attendance eventually caused its closure in 1986. 2
ad in 1887 directory 3
1889 Sanborn excerpt
1903 Sanborn excerpt
Links and References
- 1889 Sanborn map (public domain) Oakland+1889,+Sheet+4_a.pdf
- 1902-03 Sanborn map (public domain) Oakland+1902-1903vol.2,1903,+Sheet+152.pdf
- Saint Mary's History saintmaryschs.org
- De La Salle Institute District of San Francisco (via archive.org)
- 1887 Oakland directory
- With Banners Oakland Tribune October 24, 1887
- Closing Exercises at St. Joseph's Oakland Tribune May 26, 1903
- Property Formerly Owned By M.B. Curtis Passes to Christian Brothers in a Trade Oakland Tribune January 3, 1903
