Where is It?

Know where it is? Be the first to let us know at either 510-351-3113 or by email at info@baycrossings.com and you’ll win a dinner for two at San Francisco’s elegant Lapis restaurant!

Judging by the countless number of replies we received to last month’s Where Is It we’re making it too easy for you. First to call in was Dennis Pagones of Alameda, correctly telling us that Skippy’s was founded in Alameda.

All that remains of this special bit of Americana is a plaque incongruously set in an ivy patch in front of the Jack-in-the-Box on Webster Street near where the Webster Street Tunnell ("Posey Tube") emerges into Alameda. It reads:

Site of the Former Rosefield Packing Company, Incorporate on August 24, 1926

Joesph L. Rosefield was the inventor of hydrogenated peanut butter. Before this process was developed, peanut butter would separate and quickly spoil. Mr. Rosenfield received a patent for his process in 1923 and three more patents as he improved the process over the next seven years. Under Mr. Rosenfield’s guidance, his packing company in Alameda became the largest peanut butter manufacturer in the nation with up to 90 employees working three eight hour shifts seven days a week. The Alameda plant closed in 1974.

Got a photo of a Bayside landmark and want to try and stump our readers? Send it to Bay Crossings, PO Box 747, Alameda, 94501. If we run your photo we’ll give you a free lunch for two at Lapis!