Nostalgia & History > "KING OF THE KEY SYSTEM"

Just who was the “King of the KEY SYSTEM” ??
What do you know about him ??
What kind of a person was he ??
Where did HE LIVE ??

From time to time, our good friend “STASH” posts historic photos on here that give a glimpse back on a historic streetcar & Interurban network that was the foundation of the Eastbay transportation scene.

Now, for the truly interested folks, you can have a “look-see” into the personal ESTATE of none other than “Francis Marion ‘BORAX’ Smith” ….

Check out the VIEW IMAGE prompts at the following URL for a viewing of the marvelous estate that became known Bay Area wide as:

“ARBOR VILLA”

http://content.cdlib.org/view?docId=tf509nb66b&doc.view=entire_text&brand=oac

“Arbor Villa” was located near MacArthur Blvd & Park Blvd, across the street from what is now “Oakland High School” in Oakland, CA…

You won’t believe your eyes !!!

KRK

Photo 1 Francis Marion BORAX Smith
Photo 2 Smith's tomb in Oakland's Mountain View Cemetery
Photo 3 Another view of the Tomb

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Wow - that dude lived like a king.
I guess its all gone now?

1. Another recent photo of the Smith tomb with Pullman in front of the door. This is at Mountain View Cemetery on the Oakland-Piedmont line.

2. Railroad dog Pullman, always ready for a photo, in front of the door to Smith's tomb for a Valentine's Day shoot.

3. The great Charles Crocker, one of the Big 4, has a memorial right down the road from Borax Smith along millionaire's row.

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Too bad they couldn't take it with them.

Damn, his tomb looks nicer than my house!

stash Wrote:
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> 2. Railroad dog Pullman, always ready for a photo,
> in front of the door to Smith's tomb for a
> Valentine's Day shoot.

That shot could get you convicted on animal cruelty charges :-)

stash Wrote:
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> 2. Railroad dog Pullman, always ready for a photo,
> in front of the door to Smith's tomb for a
> Valentine's Day shoot.

Hmmm. I'm not sure what's he's doing, but he seems to be enjoying it.

KeyRouteKen Wrote:
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> Just who was the “King of the KEY SYSTEM” ??

I thought you were.

Far from it ,Mr. Topper. Did you check out the View Images at the URL. I guess it really paid off in those days to take what money you had and invest in TROLLEYS and BORAXO... <g>

Say HI to "Neal" for me...

KRK