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The Key Route Inn (1907–1932) was a showplace hotel on Broadway at what would later become West Grand. Designed by the firm of Oliver and Foulkes and built by the Realty Syndicate, its goals were to promote both the Key System and downtown Oakland as a sophisticated urban destination, and the general notion of Oakland as a civilized, upscale place ready to receive new citizens. It did this by being fancy (at least one U.S. President stayed there), but also by putting the hotel directly astraddle the streetcar tracks so visitors and guests (in what was still largely a pre-automobile era) could get anywhere quickly.

The Key Route Inn opened in March 1907. In 1911, E.C. Dyer was the proprietor.

1911 3E.C. Dyer, 1911 3

Location

1912 Sanborn excerpt

As shown on this 1912 Sanborn map excerpt, the Key Route Inn was on Broadway between 22nd and 23rd Streets, where W. Grand Ave. is now. Many sources (such as the postcard up top) describe the Inn as being located at 22nd and Broadway. The Sanborn shows a SPRR (Key’s competition!) streetcar line on 22nd, which might explain part of the confusion. Also, the c.1908 postcard above shows open space left of the hotel (see the windows), rather than the various service buildings where the Breuner Building (1931-) was later built as shown on the 1912 Sanborn map.

Fire, Condemnation, and Demolition

In 1929, the Oakland City Council adopted an ordinance declaring the City's intent to extend Grand Avenue from Broadway to Telegraph Avenue, which would require the razing of the Key Route Inn. 4 On September 8th, 1930, the hotel was heavily damaged by a fire. 5 The City initially hoped to prevent the rebuilding of the hotel, which would have avoided the need to pay to condemn the hotel. 6,7 The City Attorney, however, informed the City Council that they could not rescind the permit issued for the hotel's reconstruction. 8 The hotel was rebuilt, and reopened a few months later on December 4, 1930. 9

The hotel structure was torn down in April and May of 1932. 10,11

Key Route Inn 1 Key Route Inn 2

Links and References

  1. Slideshow for B - Oakland Grand Ave. KeyRailPix.org
  2. Old Key Route Inn, 22nd Street and Broadway Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Center
  3. Greater Oakland edited by Evarts Blake, Pacific Publishing Co., 1911
  4. City Acts to Raze Key Route Inn Oakland Tribune November 6, 1929
  5. Probe Begun of $100,000 Key Inn Fire (p2) Oakland Tribune September 9, 1930
  6. Oakland May Ban Repairing of Key Inn Oakland Post-Enquirer September 10, 1930
  7. Oakland to Fight Key Route Inn Rebuilding Oakland Post-Enquirer September 12, 1930
  8. Key Route Inn Wins Fight to Rebuild Oakland Tribune September 22, 1930
  9. Key Route Inn Special Page Oakland Tribune December 4, 1930
  10. Wreckers Start on Old Inn Oakland Tribune April 28, 1932
  11. Key Route's Trains Will Be Halted By Inn Job Oakland Tribune May 14, 1932
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