Nostalgia & History > Oakland Bookstore

Maybe not the right thread, but here it goes.Years ago while working Amtrak on the 2 year freight leave (1986-1988) at West Oakland,my coworkers turned me on to an awesome multistory bookstore in downtown Oakland.I have not been back since,but recently visited Powells in downtown Portland and it reminded me of the one in Oakland.I told everyone about Oakland, but could not remember the name.They had great California history room with lots of railroad books.I looked it up on the internet and could find any trace or history of the store.Anybody know what happened?Bill Webb

It's been more than a few years since I spent much time in the Bay area, but I recall a couple of big bookstores in Berkeley, on Telegraph, one of which was, I believe Moe's. I am not sure if it is still there, but I wonder if that's what you might be thinking of.

The famous "Holmes Book Company" at 274- 14th Street in downtown Oakland. Used to go there many times. It was unbelievable as to all the stuff they had. It was also haunted by a ghost who used to throw books around.

KRK
(Oakland Native)

Holmes Books is still around:

http://www.holmesbooks.com/

These days try Dan Webb books.
331 17th Street (Between Webster and Harrison)
Oakland CA 94612 --- (510) 444 4572

Railroad books and stuff, too. Including photos from the John Harder collection.

Dan Webb books is excellent for railroad, ships, war, etc. It is between BROADWAY and Webster on 17th. Hof-braw on the corner is good too.

alamedafrank Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dan Webb books is excellent for railroad, ships,
> war, etc. It is between BROADWAY and Webster on
> 17th. Hof-braw on the corner is good too.

Your location is different from that of STASH.. Which one is correct ?

KRK

RuleG Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Holmes Books is still around:
>
> http://www.holmesbooks.com/

NOT like the old days, it's not !! Their store in Oakland on 14th Street was known all over the country. It has been gone for years!

KRK

Went to Holmes many times, and still have quite a few books stamped as such. Also on in SF on 3rd or 4th (?) between Market & Mission. When I first started working in The City, there were book stores all over the place. 5-6 within a few blocks. All with railroad books available.

Thank you. I knew you guys would come through.Bill Webb

rswebber Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Went to Holmes many times, and still have quite a
> few books stamped as such. Also on in SF on 3rd
> or 4th (?) between Market & Mission. When I first
> started working in The City, there were book
> stores all over the place. 5-6 within a few
> blocks. All with railroad books available.

Bonanza Books

Bonanza was a great store; used to browse on the way home from work. Bought my Red Trains book by Ford there for a few bucks. That volume is worth a hundred or more now. Long time ago.



WAF Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Bonanza Books



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/12 09:18 by stash.

>
> Your location is different from that of STASH..
> Which one is correct ?
>
> KRK

Stash is correct; Dan Webb Books is on 17th between Webster & Harrison, in the historic Howden & Sons building.
Holmes books closed their downtown Oakland store within 2 weeks of my moving to downtown Oakland in May of 1995. It is a fabric store now.
If you visit Dan Webb, consider dropping by "Bibliomania", another excellent independent bookstore, at 19th & Telegraph.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/16/12 12:25 by BobTowar.

The California Room at Holmes was a wonderful place to go through many old railroad books.  I found some old Santa Fe passenger timetables from the 1930's that Mr. Holmes would sell for a nickel each.  This was in the early 1960's.

KeyRouteKen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> alamedafrank Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Dan Webb books is excellent for railroad,
> ships,
> > war, etc. It is between BROADWAY and Webster on
> > 17th. Hof-braw on the corner is good too.
>
> Your location is different from that of STASH..
> Which one is correct ?
>
> KRK          I was wrong, since I moved to Palm Springs area five years ago, Dan moved a block down the street, Sorry. Frank