We are located in the the Croll Building, home of Croll’s restaurant continuously since 1883. Croll’s was originally built as a hotel and restaurant by the Britt family. It was located on the corner of Webster and Central to take advantage of the Southern Pacific railroad stop across the street.
After a few years of ownership by the Britt family, the building was purchased by the Croll family. Under their ownership, this building and several others became the site of Croll's Gardens and Hotel.
Croll's Gardens and Hotel was the training quarters for the some of the greatest fighters in boxing history from 1883 to 1914. “Gentleman” James J. Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, Jim Jefferies, Jack Johnson, and many other champions all stayed and trained here.
705 Central Ave (near Corner of Webster) (510) 864-2828
From 1917 until 1939, Croll’s was also a key part of the Neptune Beach amusement park, located just across the street. Neptune Beach was an amusement park on the shore of San Francisco Bay that became enormously popular for Oakland and San Francisco residents. It was served by the Southern Pacific Railway and ferries from San Francisco.
If you’d like to see some pictures from Neptune Beach days, and learn a little more about our building and Alameda history, please stop by. Our dining room is full of memorabilia from times gone by.
The Croll’s building is registered as California Historical Landmark #954 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NPS-82000960).