Carrosso Observatory 1895

Description:
Men, women, and children with horse and cart in front of Carrosso's Observatory, northeast corner of Claremont Avenue and Clifton Street, Temescal/lower Rockridge district, Oakland, Calif.The two young girls at bottom left are Roma and California Carrosso. [Marion Gatti via Ray Raineri] Paul Carosso opened an observatory, furnished rooms, and a saloon. In the 1890s, Carosso stirred up considerable controversy due to the alleged questionablecharacter of the resort. [Jennifer Dowling note]

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Date of Document:
1895

Document Author:
Unknown

Geographic Location:
Claremont Avenue and Clifton Street, Oakland, Calif.

Context:
The observatory tower might previously have been part of the Lusk Cannery, which operated on the east side of Claremont Avenue between Clifton and Cavour streets from 1877 until 1888. Josiah Lusk had been raising fruits and vegetables for the fresh produce market when he started a small cannery in 1868, originally located on 40th Street several blocks west of Telegraph Avenue (near where Lusk Street is today). After moving to the Claremont Avenue site, the plant became what was believed to be the largest cannery west of the Mississippi River.