Frank Mott - The Man Who Built Oakland

That is what the media called Frank Kanning Mott when he died in 1958. As Oakland's Mayor between 1905 and 1915, Frank Mott was a self-made man. When he was 11 years old, his father died and Frank quit school to help support his family and eventually became the owner of a hardware store at 10th Street and Broadway. He entered politics in 1894 when Mayor George Pardee appointed him to the City Council to fill a vacancy. In 1905, he was persuaded to run for mayor — and won. Almost immediately Mott was tested and rose brilliantly to the many challenges as thousands of people flooded into Oakland in the aftermath of the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Mott presided over the rapid growth of a city that doubled in size during his tenure. In an era of unprecedented change, which included such advances as electric street lighting and a telephone system, he pushed his city into the modern world, and he did it with planning and vision.

Among his many achievements was the construction of Oakland’s first skyscraper — City Hall (Oakland’s Landmark #1). His plans were not limited, however, to Oakland's business climate and its infrastructure, influenced by the City Beautiful movement, Mott was determined to develop a culturally rich community sprinkled with parkland for the public to enjoy. For downtown Oakland, the centerpiece of his vision became the development of Lakeside Park surrounding Lake Merritt. Under his direction, the City purchased the residence owned by John and Terrilla Wright to serve as Oakland Public Museum. This action saved the Victorian structure form demolition and ensured its existence for the next half-century. That structure is still owned by the City and today is known as the Camron-Stanford House (Oakland’s Landmark #2). For over a quarter of a century, it has proudly served the public as a house museum.

Today, as the public and City officials strive to fashion and implement a master plan for Lake Merritt and the adjacent area, the Association urges everyone to read the attached PDF file, a speech entitled The Creation, History and Development of Lake Merritt that was delivered by Mott to the Lake Merritt Breakfast Club at their monthly meeting in October 1936. As we struggle with implementing ideas regarding the lake we will pass on to future generations, may we draw wisdom and inspiration from his words and work to protect this "urban gem" with a plan as well conceived as the one he and his generation left for us.