Key Route Plaza - Oakland

Plaque

KEY ROUTE TRAIN STATION

On this spot on June 1, 1904, the first Key Route
electric train arrived to be welcomed by a crowd
of excited residents. From a new ferry pier on the
bay off Emeryville it had brought officials and
guests to a dedication ceremony here. Key founder
and president, “Borax” Smith, welcomed the crowd to
the latest form of rapid transit. In 1937 a new
station was built from streamlined trains which
started running over the Bay Bridge in 1939. Train
time from here to First and Mission St. in “The
City” was 27 minutes. The last train left from here
at 6:45 pm on Saturday, April 19, 1958.

Dedicated September 7, 1991
By Piedmont Ave Merchant’s Association
and
Joaquin Murrietta Chapter 13 of E Clampus Vitus

Key Route Plaza is located at the corner of 41st Street and Piedmont Avenue.

The Key Route Plaza Mural illustrated the story in colorful detail before it was thoughtlessly destroyed.