5008 Telegraph 1997

Description:
Telegraph Avenue storefronts with second-floor apartments, east side, between 49th and 51st streets, Temescal district, Oakland, Calif. Businesses shown include G&G Hardware (5008 Telegraph Avenue) and Camille's Cafe (5004A Telegraph Avenue). The building on the left, once known as the Cattaneo Building, or "Brick House," is considered Temescal's oldest surviving commercial structure. Built circa 1872, it was designated a City of Oakland landmark in 1983. The building, which originally had a covered sidewalk, was expanded by the addition of the far right and two left bays in the same style as the original building. A garden once on the lot to the south of the building included a bocce ball court, a gazebo, and a grove of trees. [from Jennifer Dowling notes]

NowThen:
Click Here

Date of Document:
1997

Document Author:
Jeff Norman

Geographic Location:
5008 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, Calif.

Context:
The building, once known as the Cattaneo Building, or "Brick House," is considered Temescal's oldest surviving commercial structure. Built circa 1872, it was designated a City of Oakland landmark in 1983. The building, which originally had a covered sidewalk, was expanded by the addition of the far right and two left bays in the same style as the original building. A garden once on the lot to the south of the building included a bocce ball court, a gazebo, and a grove of trees. [Jennifer Dowling note]Pizzaiolo restaurant (unmarked), at 5008 Telegraph Avenue, was occupied by G&G Hardware and Plumbing from 1946 to 2003 (note its sign remaining, at center right). Partners Angelo Graziano and his brother-in-law, Mike Ghiorso, bought an existing hardware store at this location in 1946 and changed the name to G&G. Mike primarily operated the plumbing side of the business, while Angelo oversaw the store. After Angelo and his wife Annabelle's ("Anne") young daughter, Sharon, started school, Anne began to work in the store. Eventually, Sharon joined the family business. After Angelo's sudden death circa 1990, Mike, Anne, and Sharon ran the business until it closed in December 2003. Mike died August 3, 2005 at the age of 81.This photograph was expressly taken to match the scene of an earlier photograph. See: Oakland RR No. 4 c1875; 5008 Telegraph 1997This photograph was expressly taken to match the scene of an earlier photograph. See: Oakland RR No. 4 c1875