Heading 6Exploring Municipal Policy, Discrimination and Zoning and its Effect on City Growth and People of Color in Early 20th Century
Berkeley: Discrimination in the City
(Berkeley Discrimination: 1900-1930s)
While Exclusion and Alien Land Laws were in place and updated over the years, they did not keep some owners from selling or renting properties to the Asian or Asian American community. Several specific petitions and letters of a complaint filed with the City of Berkeley, (not to mention acts of harassment) were proof of the disdain and fear community members had for sharing their neighborhood. Often the Mayor or City Council members would state there was nothing to be done about potential house sales or tenancies. Some citizens would still use fear and racism to instigate change within the community.
One woman who lived north of Amador and Shattuck would complain to the city council as late as 1936 that if there was nothing to be done trimming the trees on the corner, neighbors were so upset they would sell their property to African Americans. She continued that rumors had spread that property in the area was sold to Japanese, and they would build on that land.[1] She was advised that a door to door canvassing of the area would be done and they would be able to report on it, (on what exactly is not stated). Within the week, other neighbors would petition the City Council that no other tree trimmings be done on that same corner.[2]
Besides the fear of decreased value and upkeep of the community, fear of others was used as a tool to keep other neighbors from physically moving their homes to new lots, improving their homes, selling or renting out their homes. Petitions for rezoning of specific blocks would be brought forward to keep others out.
The following is just a few examples of these discriminatory complaints in the few decades of the twentieth century, brought forward for public discussion and mapped out below:
Images cited below, including image one, George Shima house,[3).
1. 2601 College Avenue
In 1909, George Shima, an extremely wealthy agriculturalist, purchased a home not far from the Elmwood district, an exclusive area of Berkeley, Southeast of the university campus. His ability to purchase the home and reactions from various members of the community were quoted in the paper over several days, each giving their reaction to the event. With many assurances, Mr. Shima moved himself and his family into the home.
To contribute to the community, he donated sums of money to local causes, including the university. Still not fulfilled, he dedicated his life to the rights of Japanese Americans through the Japanese Association of America, serving as their first president. But despite raising and educating his children in the community, it was likely he was never made to be felt completely welcome. At the time of his death, it was rumored he was in the LA area (because he was) scouting for a new home.
Below is a short video on George Shima: his life, his attempt to make Berkeley his home, and the reception someone even someone as wealthy and "proper" as Mr. Shima was given in Berkeley:
2. 1820 Todd Street (possibly 62nd Street)
Being an established part of the larger community continued to be an issue. In 1917, successful shopowners V.D. and Kala Bagai hoped to move their family to South Berkeley. Mr. Bagai, purchased a home at 1820 Todd Street where he hoped, like Mr Shima to live and raise his family while working in the city. When the Bagai family rolled up to their home, they found the neighbors had changed the locks on the door. Distraught, Kala Bagai demanded they return back to San Francisco, where they lived until Mr. Bagai's unsettling death.
3. 2539 Fulton Street
According to City Council minutes, a petition requesting a district of Class 2 to be formed in the area bounded by Fulton, Parker, Ellsworth and Blake Streets was signed by many property owners in the district. However, it was brought up that Mr. Takaki who had a property at 2539 Fulton was in the process of building an addition to his home to create apartments for Japanese. They referred it to the Planning Committee with the idea that Mr. Takaki’s building permit be revoked.[4]
4. 1363 Berkeley Way
June 1920, architect and Berkeley resident Charles K. Sumner requested the Council take steps to prohibit African American tenants at 1363 Berkeley Way (which abutted his property). He was then advised, “There is no legal relief available in the circumstance.”[5]
5. 1401 Spruce Street
The following is an example of a small letter-writing campaign in August 1920. Neighbors Florence White and Vera White Henning wished to personally send a note of protest regarding Mr. David Walker renting his small house (which adjoined their property) “to a large household of Japanese.”[6] They noted that “You will be doing a great favor to our neighborhood by dis couraging (sic) the above invasion.”[7]
Another neighbor, Mrs. Catherine E. Dyer intimated a shared secret or rumor: “Information has been brought to the undersigned that a house in this immediate neighborhood, #1401 Spruce St, is to be rented to Japanese laborers.” Her small, folded note continued that this was a formal protest against “the practice of some property owners in this city of renting houses in desirable neighborhoods to Japanese and thereby not only devaluing property values, but also making the neighborhood undesirable where there are young children.” She ended her note acknowledging to the city council there is no law to prevent the rental of property, but that more publicity should be given to these occasions as they might discourage such rentals in the future.[8]
A third letter from Mrs. Graunell, wrote to inform the city council “on the southeast corner of Rose and Spruce is going to be rented to Japanese which will be most objectionable to the whole neighborhood…” then implores them to “do all in your power to stop this nuisance and will you act upon it.. directly.”[9]
A final letter of complaint typed out from a Milvia Street address. The writer, Ms. Tibbs, purchased property immediately opposite Mr. Walker’s property at Rose and Spruce Streets and noted to the City Council: “I am moving from my present place partly on account of the presence of Japanese not far distant and feel it an injustice to have what I assume to be a good neighborhood immediately spoiled by such a condition.”[10] This, like many matters, was referred to the City Attorney....
6. 1339 Stannage Avenue
On 29 October 1920, a small piece in the Oakland Tribune noted neighbors Mrs. Oliver Parquet and Mrs. H.H. White appeared before City Council to protest the sale of 1339 Stannage Avenue to Japanese by Mrs. C.G. Hansen.[11] A petition was filed with the City of Berkeley “Protesting the sale of property to Orientals near Camelia and Stannage.”[12] With approximately five pages of signatures, they requested unspecified relief from said purchase. The petition lacks any reason for the request, nor any suggestion of what relief they might find useful. A reader of the petition could not be faulted in assuming that the undersigned only wished the purchaser was not of Asian descent.
7. 1932 Haste Street
Mrs. M. Betts, who lived across from 1932 Haste Street attended Berkeley City Council on 10 January 1922 to present a petition, signed by over 50 of her neighbors. The community protested realtor Mrs. E.A. Stanford from selling property at the Haste Street location to Japanese. Mrs. Betts went so far as to point out that Mrs. Stanford had advertised to the Japanese community in a Japanese paper in San Francisco. Once again, the mayor of Berkeley, Louis Bartlett insisted there was nothing to be done. He suggested Mrs. Betts take her issue to the realtor directly or the Japanese who had bought the home. Eventually, the discussion turned to refer the matter to the City Attorney. A resolution was then drawn by directing the City Planning consultant, Mr. Carol Aronovici to consult with the realtor, Japanese purchasers to see if the sale could be terminated and report back to City Council.[13]
8. 1528 Shattuck Avenue
In July 1922 another request to move a building, this time 1528 Shattuck, (owned by F.D. Chase) was brought to City Council's attention by D.F. Harris. Harris wanted to move this two-story building up the street just off Shattuck and Vine. He had previously been unable to get permission for the move from the neighbors because the owner, Mr. Chase, rented to Japanese, and the neighbors on Vine Street were concerned this would continue. Approval of City Council was only given after Mr. Harris assured everyone that the current rental arrangement would cease once the house was moved.[14]
9. 2211 Stuart Street
In 1923 a petition was filed with Berkeley against the selling of a home at 2211 Stuart Street to UC Berkeley Chinese students. The Oakland Tribune covered the story behind the petitioning against former UC Berkeley football coach James Schaeffer, the original owner of the house. The petition proclaimed that each of the undersigned had purchased the property with the knowledge that no 'Orientals' were owners of any property or residing in the above-mentioned district, protest against this proposed oriental intrusion and respectfully request… "by resolution or otherwise, to dissuade and discourage the sad proposed transfer of said property to said Oriental…”[15] Berkeley City Council passed a resolution giving its support to the property owners and their efforts to keep Asians from the Stuart Street neighborhood. It was argued by the property owners’ spokesman that Schaefer had acted in the interest of the Chinese, purchasing the home and selling it after the Realty Board refused to sell the home outright to the students.[16] The group of owners declared they would attempt to bring pressure to bear to have Schaeffer buy the house back from the Chinese.
10. 1777 Euclid Avenue
In August 1924 a petition was circulated and sent to Berkeley City Council demanding that the proposed building, (now known as Euclid Hall) not be built near Euclid and Ridge Road, suggesting instead the area was more suitable for apartments and hotels –– and that “there has been so much prejudice and agitation against Orientals dwelling in restricted neighborhoods, it is evident that this will decrease the general desirability of such property.”[17] They then suggested a more suitable location would be a side street among fraternity houses where they “would not interfere with families who wish to reside in this attractive district.”[18] They end their protest petition with the request that the 40-foot site on Euclid be rezoned to "Class 1" (single-family zoning).
11. 2610 Fulton Street
A request to move a house was brought before the city council in September 1939 for approval, as simultaneously, a petition of protest had been filed. Ms. Gill had requested to move the home from 2442 Derby Street to 2610 Fulton Street. A gentleman representing the new owner came before the council explaining the home would be renovated and become an asset to the community. Another neighbor, F.E. Nichols, who lived near the new Fulton Street address supported the move and stated the complaints were because rumors were started implying “that Japanese or colored people were going to live there, but that if this was the case, he would not be in favor of it.” [19] On that, the motion was approved to allow the move to go through, (assuming all building ordinances were adhered to).
[1] City of Berkeley Minutes, Regular Meeting, (item 8) page 2, (stamped 296) dated 15 December 1936. https://www.cityofberkeley.info/recordsonline/paFiles/cqFiles/index.html accessed 22 September 2021.
[2] City of Berkeley Minutes, Regular Meeting, (item 5) page 1, (stamped 3) dated 22 December 1936. https://www.cityofberkeley.info/recordsonline/paFiles/cqFiles/index.html accessed 22 September 2021.
[3] Images: (1)Toshio Yoshimura, George Shima: Potato King and Lover of Chinese Classics, (Japan: author published, 1981), V.; (2-4,6-9, 11) Google Street View, and (5, 10) PS Rouse.
[4] City Of Berkeley, City Council Minutes: Regular Meeting, 12 November 1919, (Item 3,) page 1. from: https://www.cityofberkeley.info/recordsonline/paFiles/cqFiles/index.html (accessed 21 September 2021).
[5] City of Berkeley, City Council Minutes: Regular Meetings, 11 June 1920, (Item 5) page 2 (stamped 347) from: https://www.cityofberkeley.info/recordsonline/paFiles/cqFiles/index.html (accessed 27 September 2021).
[6] Vera White Henning Protest Letter to Berkeley City Council 26 August 1920. (Berkeley, Ca.: Bancroft Library Archives: City of Berkeley: City Records Banc MSS C-A 200 Carton 7, File 1.) Filed 27 August 1920.
[7] Henning, Protest Letter…
[8] Catherine E. Dyer Protest Letter to Berkeley City Council 26 August 1920. (Berkeley, Ca.: Bancroft Library Archives: City of Berkeley: City Records Banc MSS C-A 200 Carton 7, File 1.) Filed 27 August 1920.
[9] Elizabeth W. Graunell. Protest Letter to Berkeley City Council 26 August 1920. (Berkeley, Ca.: Bancroft Library Archives: City of Berkeley: City Records Banc MSS C-A 200 Carton 7, File 1.) Filed 27 August 1920.
[10] M. Tibbs, Protest Letter to Berkeley City Council 26 August 1920. (Berkeley, Ca.: Bancroft Library Archives: City of Berkeley: City Records Banc MSS C-A 200 Carton 7, File 1.) Filed 27 August 1920.
[11] “City Can’t Interfere in house in Sale to Japanese,” (Oakland Tribune, 29 October 1920.
[12] Petition to the City Council, “Protesting the sale of property to Orientals at Camelia and Stannage October 1920” (Berkeley, Ca.: Bancroft Library Archives: City of Berkeley: City Records Banc MSS C-A 200 Carton 7, File 2) Filed 29 October 1920.
[13] City of Berkeley Minutes, Regular Meeting, (item 11) page 2, (stamped 415) 10 January 1922. https://www.cityofberkeley.info/recordsonline/paFiles/cqFiles/index.html accessed 22 September 2021.
[14] City Of Berkeley, City Council Minutes: Regular Meeting, 14 July 1922, (item4) page 1 (stamped 137), https://www.cityofberkeley.info/recordsonline/paFiles/cqFiles/index.html accessed 21 September 2021.
[15] Petition to the City Council, “Protesting Against the Sale of 2211 Stuart Street to Orientals, April 1923” (Berkeley, Ca.: Bancroft Library Archives: City of Berkeley: City Records Banc MSS C-A 200 Carton 7, File 8) filed 6 April 1923.
[16] “Berkeley Folk Fight Sale of House to Chinese,” (Oakland Tribune, 6 April 1923), 36.
[17] Petition to the City Council, “Petition Against Japanese Student Clubhouse (UC) 26 August 1924” (Berkeley, Ca.: Bancroft Library Archives: City of Berkeley: City Records Banc MSS C-2 200 Carton 7/ f 10), filed 29 September 1924.
[18]ibid.
[19] City of Berkeley Minutes, Regular Meeting, (item 16: “Request to Move a House”) page 3, (stamped 385) 5 September 1939. https://www.cityofberkeley.info/recordsonline/paFiles/cqFiles/index.html accessed 22 September 2021.
Euclid Hall StorySphere (image by PS Rouse)
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**17 November 2021** StorySphere site seems to be down intermittantly...
(holding off pulling for now)
