German Immigrant Community in Oakland, CA

SECTION 4: The German immigrant community
“The earliest recorded inhabitants were the Huchiun tribe, belonging to a linguistic grouping later called the Ohlone (a Miwok word meaning "western people"). In Oakland, they were heavily concentrated around Lake Merritt and Temescal Creek, a stream which enters the San Francisco Bay at Emeryville. Oakland, along with the rest of California, was claimed for the Spanish king by explorers from New Spain in 1772. In the early 19th century, the area which later became Oakland (along with most of the East Bay), was granted to Luís María Peralta by the Spanish royal government for his Rancho San Antonio.

The grant was confirmed by the successor Mexican republic upon its independence from Spain. The area of the ranch that is today occupied by the downtown and extending over into the adjacent part of Alameda (originally not an island, but a peninsula), included a woodland of oak trees. This area was called encinal by the Peraltas, a Spanish word which means "oak grove", the origin of the later city's name. Upon his death in 1842, Peralta divided his land among his four sons. Most of Oakland fell within the shares given to Antonio Maria and Vicente. They would open the land to settlement by American settlers, loggers, European whalers, and fur-traders.
Full-scale settlement and development occurred following California being conquered by the United States during the Mexican-American War, and the California Gold Rush in 1848. The original settlement in what is now the downtown was initially called "Contra Costa" and was included in Contra Costa County before Alameda County was established on March 25, 1853. The California state legislature incorporated the town of Oakland on May 4, 1852.


The town and its environs quickly grew with the railroads, becoming a major rail terminus in the late 1860s and 1870s. In 1868, the Central Pacific constructed the Oakland Long Wharf at Oakland Point, the site of today's Port of Oakland. The Long Wharf served as both the terminus of the Transcontinental Railroad as well as the local commuter trains of the Central (later, Southern) Pacific. The Central Pacific also established one of its largest rail yards and servicing facilities in West Oakland which continued to be a major local employer under the Southern Pacific well into the 20th century. The principal depot of the Southern Pacific in Oakland was the 16th Street Station located at 16th and Wood which is currently (2006–8) being partially restored as part of a redevelopment project.

A number of horsecar and cable car lines were constructed in Oakland in the latter half of the 1800s. The first electric streetcar set out from Oakland to Berkeley in 1891, and other lines were converted and added over the course of the 1890s. The various streetcar companies operating in Oakland were acquired by Francis "Borax" Smith and consolidated into what eventually became known as the Key System, the predecessor of today's publicly owned AC Transit. In addition to its system of streetcars in the East Bay, the Key System also operated commuter trains to its own pier and ferry boats to San Francisco, in competition with the Southern Pacific. Upon completion of the Bay Bridge, both companies ran their commuter trains on the south side of the lower deck direct to San Francisco. The Key System in its earliest years was actually in part a real estate venture, with the transit part serving to help open up new tracts for buyers. The Key's investors (incorporated as the "Realty Syndicate") also established two large hotels in Oakland, one of which survives as the Claremont Resort. The other, which burned down in the early 1930s, was the Key Route Inn, located at what is now West Grand and Broadway. From 1904 to 1929, the Realty Syndicate also operated a major amusement park in north Oakland called Idora Park.

The original extent of Oakland upon its incorporation lay south of today's major intersection of San Pablo Avenue, Broadway and 14th Street. The city gradually annexed farmlands and settlements to the east and north. Oakland's rise to industrial prominence and its subsequent need for a seaport led to the digging of a shipping and tidal channel in 1902, creating the "island" of nearby town Alameda. In 1906, its population doubled with refugees made homeless after the San Francisco earthquake and fire who had fled to Oakland. In 1915, a Chevrolet plant was opened at the southern border of Oakland. By 1920, Oakland was the home of numerous manufacturing industries, including metals, canneries, bakeries, automobiles, and shipbuilding.

1920s
The 1920s were economic boom years in the United States as a whole, and in California especially. Economic growth was fueled by the general post-war recovery, as well as oil discoveries in Los Angeles, and the widespread introduction of the automobile. Oakland grew significantly in the 1920s. According to the Oakland Tribune yearbook for 1925, more houses were built from 1921 to 1924 than in the period 1907 to 1920.[6] Many of the single-family houses still standing in Oakland were built in the 1920s. Many large office buildings downtown were built in the 1920s, and reflect the architectural styles of the time.” (Excerpted from Wikipedi)

A Life Story of Henry Charles Wieking
Henry Charles Wieking (HCW) was one of four children of Wilhelm and Christine(Gerdes) Wieking. He is the father of Richard William Wieking and Robert Henry Wieking. His wife was Christine Amelia(Huttmann) Wieking. His sister was Aline, and his two brothers are Elmer and Roy Wieking. He was born in 1906, in that section of the Bay Area known as West Oakland which was the portion of Oakland that was first settled. Henry has enjoyed being a natural historian all of his life, collecting memorabilia, recollecting historical happenings, and sharing his love of family history, natural events, and the developing history of California and Oakland, specifically. He has done all this with his teasing and playful sense of humor, mixed in with his life-long enjoyment of electronics, science, and things mechanical. It is at his age of 90 years that he might be described by me as being in an advanced stage of wonder. He is still filled with the joy and wonder of connecting with a stranger on his amateur radio transceiver, building a motorized mechanical car kit, or tinkering with a new experiment involving a good number of magnets! All of these are best enjoyed if he has even a semi-willing audience to entertain in the process!
Henry and Christine(Huttmann) Wieking met while attending a dance at the German Club, in Oakland.
Who were the parents of Henry, Aline, Elmer, and Roy? And from where did these immigrant Germans come?
Wilhelm(William) and Heinrich(Henry) Wieking came to Oakland, California with their mother Caroline Wilkening, from Leese am Weser ("Leese on the Weser River"), Germany. Leese is west of Minden, which is west of Hannover. A sister of Wilhelm and Heinrich, Wilhelmina (Minna), also came to California with them. Minna is said to have worked as a maid and caterer, and later as a clerk at Maxwell Hardware. Wilhelm Wieking owned and operated The Oakland Cafe (803 Broadway) and Mint Saloon (1802 7th Street), near the foot of Broadway. His original residence was at 9th and Cypress. His family then lived on Valle Vista, in the area east of Lake Merritt. Later addresses included Hillen Drive, the Montclair area and then in the area north of the Fruitvale District.

Wilhelm Wieking married Christine Gerdes. Christine came from Sievern, Germany, near Bremerhaven. They enjoyed the social life of the immigrant German community, particularly their membership in the Hansa Club and Sons of Hermann. There is a family photograph of Wilhelm, Christine, his brother Heinrich, and his wife enjoying a gala evening in one of the finest night spots of turn-of-the century Oakland,The Forum. Both Wilhelm and Heinrich Wieking often took their families by train to Niles, CA. and then up to Kilkare Woods, where they had summer homes. Large family gatherings were the norm and often business acquaintances related to the saloon and brewing businesses were entertained there. Bob Wieking has a photo of William and Christine Wieking with a large group of Hermann Sons in front of the Altenheim. He also has a large framed certificate showing William being a member of the Altenheim Unterstutzunggessellschaft, the benevolent society, the organization that supported the Altenheim.

Heinrich Wieking first owned the Oakland Casino Saloon at 879 Washington. Heinrich eventually went on to manage the Oakland Malting and Brewing Company, then to rename it the Sanitary Ice and Storage Company. His original residence was at 9th and Grove. Heinrich and his large family lived much of their lives on Longridge Road, in Piedmont, CA. The list of Heinrich's children is presented below. Carl and Hildegard(Wieking) Meyer still live in Stoltzenau, near Leese, and Bob Wieking has been in contact and has visited with them.
During a visit to the Bay Area in 1995, Bob Wieking searched each volume, starting in 1875, of the original "City Directories" available in the Oakland History Room of the Oakland Library. The following information was found:

• Henry Wieking was the employee of Henry Wilkening, who's residence was 508 8th(Husted Directory of 1894). It is believed that Henry Wilkening was the brother of Caroline Wilkening, the grandmother of Henry Charles Wieking.
• Henry Wieking owned the Oakland Casino Saloon at 879 Washington. Residence was 563 10th. William Wieking was the employee of Henry Wieking. Residence was 563 10th (Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley Directory, 1895)
• Lena Wieking shows up in the 1899 Directory
• Minna Wieking appears in the 1900 Directory. Residence 909 Myrtle
• Henry Gerdes appears in the 1902 Directory, as an employee of the Southern Pacific Company.
• Christine Gerdes appears in the 1904 Directory. Residence 1119 Brush.
• William Wieking operates a saloon at 18021/2 7th. Residence 991 Wood. (1906 Directory)
• William Wieking operates Mint Saloon at 1892 7th. (1907 Directory)

Wieking Family Friends
Emily Putzker was a life-long friend of Christine (Gerdes) Wieking. Emily was sent from San Francisco after the 1906 earthquake to stay with the Wiekings. Grandma Christine and Emily became fast friends, a relatinship that they enjoyed for the rest of their lives. Emily was known for her ready laugh and svelte good looks. It can only be guessed that Emily and Christine were solid bosom buddies and thoroughly enjoyed the laughter and entertaining that were carried on in the Wieking household throughout their lives. Oscar Putzker, Emily's husband, was a sergeant on the Berkeley Police Force.

Louise and Fred Bohle were also friends of Christine and Wilhelm Wieking. Fred had lived with Native American Indians of the Southwest in his early days. Later, he was an engraver and operated a business out of his home. Louise and Fred joined the Wiekings' for Christmas for years. One can still hear Louise's hearty and whimsical laugh. Fred can still be imagined to be dressed in his three-piece suit and savoring a large Cuban cigar. Nancy and Bob Wieking were able to place Fred Bohle’s photo book of early southwest Indians and Mexico in the Archives, Special Collections, of the Library of Northern Arizona University in 2005.

Henry Charles Wieking still remembers two cigar makers, who were also German immigrants and active in Hansa Club and Hermann Sons. They were Henry Gloy and Mr. Frisch. HCW also tells of a Frank Barnett who was a sheriff in Alameda County.

The Jochem's and Reichhold's were not only friends of Wilhelm and Christine Wieking, but their granddaughter, Alycia Elba "Lee" Andress presently lives in Sedona, Arizona and shares an active interest in Oakland German immigrant history. "Lee's" maternal grandfather was Ferdinand Jochem. Lee's mother did mention that there was a 17 year conscription law in Germany enacted that he was escaping from. Perhaps he came from somewhere near the Elbe River since both her aunt's name and Lee's middle name is "ELBA". He worked at a gold smelter in Selby, CA, and it was said that he had a "weakness in his lungs." It may have been asthma which Lee's mother had, and her oldest daughter also has. His health was weakened by his work at the smelter which led to him quitting the smelter and opening a tavern. He died in 1916. Marie Sorensen Jochem was Lee's maternal grandmother.

Marie followed her sister Christina to this country from Denmark amid many promises of comfort and security. They came from an area of Germany known as Schleswig-Holstein. Even though this area often see-sawed back and forth between Denmark and Germany, Marie considered herself a Dane and was reluctant to ever tell her relatives that she had married a German! Marie assisted her husband Ferdinand, known as Fred, in the tavern. The tavern was located at 10th and Kirkham. They had two daughters, Lee's mother, Frieda, and her sister, Hazel. Fred died in 1916 leaving a 7 year old and a 16 year old. they lived on Grand Avenue and Lee's mother also went to Cole School. Marie may have also run a restaurant on, Shattuck Avenue. William Reichhold, Lee's paternal grandfather, came from Germany, by way of Ellis Island and a train trip to stay with cousins in Oakland, CA. When he reached Oakland, the cousins housed him in the barn. He never forgot nor forgave them for this less than pleasant welcome. He was reputed to be a jovial and well-liked man. He and his wife bought some acreage planted to fruit trees in Alamo as a sort of summer home. Little is known about Lee's paternal grandmother, Linda Henken, other than she was a "difficult person".

Lee's father, Clarence T. Reichhold, graduated from Oakland Technical High School and then joined the Merchant Marines. Lee's mother, Frieda, refused to marry him until he resigned from the Merchant Marines. He then opened up a tire and motorcycle shop in Oakland with a partner. The partner disappeared with the business's assets. Clarence and Frieda as newlyweds in 1924 went to live on the fruit orchard in Alamo and manage it for William and Linda. After four years of toiling in the fruit orchard, Clarence began work for the Ford dealership. The Reichholds' had always had a love affair with the automobile. Clarence then was able to purchase the local Chevrolet dealership. Finally, after the depression and war years, the dealership prospered beyond all belief. Frieda, with her 8th grade education, continued as bookkeeper of a very large and successful business with her sister Hazel beside her in the office.
Early Oakland
HCW still remembers the Alaska Packers sailing ships harbored in the Oakland harbor. Another local business was the Alhambra Water Company. As far as recreational activities, there were the German Athletic Club and the German Men's Chorus to provide that sense of community and recreation for the German immigrant men. Idora Park and Shellmound Park were popular outdoor areas also frequented by German immigrant citizens of Oakland. Shellmound Park was so named because that was where the native Indians tossed the remainder of the clams that were often used for food. HCW shot at a rifle range there. Dorothy and Leroy Anton were acquaintances of HCW. Dorothy's father owned Shellmound Park.

HCW's Exploits and Adventures
HCW tells the story of fishing in Sunol when he was walking along with nothing but a fishing rod when he became surrounded by three coyotes. He thought that his life was at an end, for sure. He later was riding with Carl Bertsch in an open Model A Ford on another fishing trip when a big mountain lion jumped off from a side bluff onto the road in front of them. Dad had a pistol and he took a shot but he did not hit the animal. HCW mentioned that he often went deer hunting with Frank Crespi in Sunol, too. Henry Wieking raised pigeons, an idea he got the idea from Harry Morrison.

A fond memory of Bob Wiekings's (he swears that this is not just a figment of his imagination) is when HCW took him out for a picnic where they crawled down to the side of a little creek to eat sandwiches and drink strawberry soda. It is remembered that this "creek episode" occurred during the time that Bob's momther was giving birth to Richard, Bob's younger brother. Later, HCW took a drive to Niles to show Bob Wieking a brand spanking new BB gun that HCW had stored carefully in the trunk of the family automobile. In later years, HCW took Bob Wieking up in the area of Niles Canyon known as "Old Lady Whitlock's" for a fishing expedition. On the way back to the car, they spied a small rattle snake which they quickly dispatched with a rock.

HCW's School and Employment
1. Cole School(where Jack London went)--1912-1920
2. Oakland High School--1920-1924
3. GMC Truck Company--6 months
4. Sanitary Ice--6 months
5. United Iron Works--4 years-- apprenticeship
6. Hoover Dam--1929-1933. He lived in a canvas tent. He worked on "Boulder Dam", officially named Hoover Dam. HCW's remembrances and photographs have been recorded in a display at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Henry actually worked at a restored Mormon Fort, right outside of Las Vegas. He and a team of other men gathered and tested gravel and sand samples from around the region in search of quality and quantity of the correct ingredients from which to make the concrete for the dam.
7. Southern Pacific Railroad--5 years-loading box cars
8. Mint Cafe--2 years--bartender
9. McClelland AFB--3 years--machinist
10. Lorimer Diesel--Oakland-5 years
11. Union Machine Works--Oakland- Machinist
12. S.T. Johnson Oil Burner Co.--1949-1971--machinist

The Wieking's on Longridge Road
the Family of Heinrich, the brother of Wilhelm Wieking
Wieking's on Longridge Road(Piedmont, CA).
Bill
Irene
Henrietta
Anita
Dorothy
Elenor
Bernice
Helen
Evelyn

Some Oakland German Immigrant Features
Tepper’s Gardens
I have photographs of our grandfather and his brother-in-law Henry Gerdes with members of their clubs, the Hansa Club and Hermann Sons. The photographs took place at either Dimond Park or Tepper’s Gardens. “The most famous, the one every old-timer remembers, was Charlie Tepper’s place west of Dimond Avenue on Hopkins’ north side. Tepper came to Oakland from Germany n 1895. …Behind his house was a structure he converted into a dance hall. Around these he put in the tree-shaded gardens where patrons could leisurely pass an afternoon at the tables nursing a house beer from the Brooklyn Brewery on East 14th Street….” (From Douglas Brookes article in the /Fall 1986 issue of the Oakland Heritage Alliance News)

Altenheim
“It was on the March 31, 1890 , that the ”Deutsche Altenheim from San Francisco” (German Old People Home of San Francisco) was included into the Altenheim Association. Germans like Adolph Sutro, Mortimer Fleischacker, Fritz Rosenbaum and other well known personalities realized that it was an absolute necessity to build a retirement home for the elder Germans….Adolph Sutro offered free land in the Sutro Heights in San Francisco. San Francisco, however, did not have the best reputation at that time, mainly because of the Gold Rush and the type of pleasure seekers it brought to that region. Moreover, since 1850 several major fires damaged the city. The weather was not ideal for an older person; the cold and the fog dominated the summer days in Sutro Heights. When Charles Meinecke, president of the German Benevolent Society, joined this group, the decision was made to purchase land in the Dimond District of Oakland for the price of $6,000.”

Heinhold’s First and Last Chance Saloon
Heinhold’s was not only a landmark German immigrant landmark but was a place that my father, Henry Wieking, brought his wife-to-be, Christine Huttmann. They frequented the place not only because my father enjoyed the German nature of its origin but because my ever-learning mother was intrigued by the fact that Jack London, the famous Oakland author, frequented the place in earlier years. And by real circuitous logic, it was interesting because Henry Wieking and Jack London attended the same elementary school, Cole school!
“Heinhold’s First and Last Chance saloon, the historic bar that helped Jack London to fame and gave the square that surrounds it its name, is up for sale. The venerable but creaky establishment, formed from the timbers of a whaling ship more than 110 years ago and since transformed by the great quake of 1906 and the footfalls of millions of tourists, has become a little too much for the last of the Heinholds to handle. The saloon, founded in 1883, was almost sold at the beginning of this year”(from the March 4, 1981 issue of the newspaper The Press)

The Forum Restaurant
“The Forum on Broadway near 14th, managed by Gustav Mann, considered itself one of the handsomest in America and few of its patrons would dispute the claim. The Forum combined Bohemian charm with expert service profiting from Mann’s experience with restaurants in Europe. N. F Schroeder, now 84, who organized the corporation that founded The Forum, still lives here at 493 Crofton Avenue….’The world has changed, and restaurants have changed with it,’ he says. ‘People in those days demanded and got the best. Our New York cut steaks, spareribs, and sauerkraut and fine German-style cooking—where can you find their equal today’?” (from The Oakland Tribune, Sunday, January 12, 1958)

German Pioneer House
I could not complete my heritage tour of the Oakland German community without mentioning the “German House” as my parents use to refer to it. For it is the German House where my parents attended dances and were eventually married. The building that housed the German House had originally been used to house homeless girls and later as site for many social gatherings. In 1932, This “Home Club” eventually moved to Berkeley and sold the building to the German Pioneer House Association. “During the next few years the art gallery was transformed into a gymnasium and the grounds changed to resemble a German garden. Many exhibitions of folk dancing and musical activities were given. By 1935, events in Europe were beginning to be reflected in actions at the House. Dr. August Ponschab, Reich vice-consul in San Francisco, called upon them to support the Hitler regime. But 3 years later Pioneer House board of directors kicked out members of the German-American Bund who had been gathering there.” (from the Oakland Tribune, August 2, 1958). In 1958, after years of dances and complaints about the noise that the late-nights dances produced, the b building was sold to the Oakland Public Schools for an addition to the Oakland High School site.

It should be noted that Mr. Bill Sturm, Librarian at the Oakland Public Library, was most helpful and instrumental in motivating me to research Oakland's German immigrant community. He cannot be too highly praised for his assistance.