The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland

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In May of 1942, Gilbert D. Eaton, Assistant Executive Director of Boys Clubs of Boston, was hired to serve as Executive Director of the new organization. The facilities of the Filbert Street Clubhouse, although not ideal, served the needs at the time. The East Oakland Clubhouse, badly in need of repair, was purchased from the Pacific Telephone Company for $25,000. During the years from 1943 to 1946, additional land was purchased on the east, west and north sides of the building. This provided the necessary space for a new building to be added to the old structure. A new gymnasium was built in 1947.

The Filbert Street Clubhouse remained the property of the Oakland Public Schools and the time came when it was necessary for an expansion of school facilities. Thus the Boys Club was required to look for another location in the same area. In September, 1951, a new and completely modern clubhouse was dedicated at 24th and Market Streets. Especially designed for Boys Club activities, it is known as the Leonard J. Meltzer Clubhouse.

Maxwell Reid, a director and local contractor, built the clubhouse at cost. Members of local unions of the various crafts donated labor and many firms contributed materials without charge or at cost.

In January, 1950, the Oakland Boys Club purchased camp property in Shasta County. 480 acres were purchased from Mrs. J. Volney Lewis to provide boys with a much needed and worthwhile summer activity away from the city. The camp site was formerly the Blue and Gold Lair of the Bear, camp of the Alumni Association of the University of California.

In August, 1960, Mr. Gilbert D. Eaton retired from the field of Boys Club work and Mr. William A. Bishop, a former member of the staff, assumed the duties of Executive Director. In June, 1963, Mr. Bishop resigned and returned to Seattle to a Boys Club job he had previously held.