AKA: First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Oakland, Oakland, CA

Structure Type: built works - commercial buildings - banks (buildings)

Designers: [unspecified]

Dates: [unspecified]

436 17th Street
Downtown, Oakland, CA 94612

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Building History

Savings and loan associations had existed in the US and Britain since the 1810s, but proliferated in the former after the passage of the Federal Home Loan Bank Act in 1932. The 1st Federal Savings and Loan Association of Oakland was one of these new institutions established in the wake of this act. The Oakland Tribune said of it in 1936: “The First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Oakland was organized on April 15, 1935. While enjoying the advantage of Federal supervision, the management is composed entirely of local men. Directors are H.L. Breed, E. Taylor Dykes, D.D.S.; Earl B. Leonard, Robert MacNeur, Jr., Daniel Read, William E. Schirmer, Robert E. Stewart, R.B. Vinson and William A. Davis.” (See "Building Loans Show Upturn," Oakland Tribune, 03/15/1936, p. 20.)

In 1940, the 1st Federal Savings and Loan Association of Oakland had its main office at 436 17th Street in Downtown Oakland, CA. At this time, William A. Davis served as its president, H.L. Breed, vice-president, A.P. Bigelow, vice-president, Earl B. Leonard, secretary, and H.K Holbrook, assistant secretary. Direcfors included: Benjamin W. Black, M.D., H.L. Breed, William A. Davis, E. Taylor Dykes, D.D.S, Earl B. Leonard, Robert MacNeur, Jr., Daniel Read, Robert E. Stewart and William E. Schirmer. Schirmer (1889-1957) was a long-time Oakland architect. (See 1st Federal Savings and Loan of Oakland advertisement, Oakland Tribune, 12/30/1940, p. 2.)

The headquarters of 1st Federal Savings and Loan Association of Oakland had an address of 444 17th Street in 1949. (See 1st Federal Savings and Loan of Oakland advertisement, Oakland Tribune, 01/09/1949, p. 18.)

PCAD id: 24115