Plaque

Annie’s Oak

NORTH

1776 Le Roy Avenue Map View

CITY OF BERKELEY LANDMARK

designated in 1986

“ANNIE’S OAK”

 

 

Here a venerable oak tree was saved by Annie Maybeck (1867–1956), wife of architect Bernard Maybeck. She is said to have “marched off to City Hall” to protest the cutting of native trees during street paving early in the 20th century. She and other influential women founded the Hillside Club to promote “building with nature.” The Club proclaimed that “the few native trees that have survived centuries should be jealously preserved…. Bend the road, divide the lots, place the houses to accommodate them!”

The original tree—a coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia—died in 1985. It was replaced with a young tree of the same species.

Berkeley Historical Plaque Project
1998


  • Annie's Oak Plaque, photo George O. Petty (2023).

  • LeRoy Ave. with original Annie’s oak, postcard, Sarah Wikander collection.

More information:
 

 

Photo credit abbreviations:
BAHA: Berkeley Architectural Heritage Assn.
BHS: Berkeley Historical Society