Janson Iron Works / Baker Metal Building

The Baker Metal building at 1265 65th St. is a relic of Emeryville’s industrial past that has remained relatively unchanged for the nearly 100 years of its existence. This will change in 2024 when construction on a long planned adaptive reuse project begins, just two years shy of its centennial.

The structure was originally built for Janson Iron Works, a company established in 1906 by German immigrant Carl Janson. Janson and his wife Anna arrived in the U.S. in 1886. By 1888, they were living in Oakland together.

Janson Iron Works’ first plant was located at 6420 San Pablo Avenue in Oakland’s Golden Gate District. The factory opened in 1906, the year of the great San Francisco earthquake. Oakland was experiencing a rapid population increase and a large number of houses and commercial buildings were being constructed.

Janson originally specialized in the manufacturing of iron fences but later expanded its production to include ornamental iron work and structural steel work. The firm also made fire escapes, stairs, vault linings, jail cells, and smaller items such as rods, bolts, plates and washers. Carl Janson held patents for many of his designs and inventions.

Carl and Anna had two children including a son, Otto, who initially became involved in the business as an estimator later moving into a sales role.

Carl Janson became an big Oakland booster and an active member of the Masonic Lodge. During this time, he lived in a house at 1094 Alcatraz Avenue just a half block from his factory.

The Bay Area had a large German community at this time with many German militias and fraternal organizations regularly gathering at Shell Mound Park for picnics and marksmanship events.

The sentiment toward people of German descent changed during World War I forcing many to hide their ancestry.

In 1918, Otto Janson was accused of expressing sympathy for the efforts of the German side of the war effort and expressing malevolence toward then President Woodrow Wilson and the participation of American soldiers. He was charged and found guilty of sedition and sentenced to 5 years at McNeil’s Island penitentiary in the State of Washington. This sentence was later reduced to 2 years.

Oakland Enquirer - Apr 27, 1918 - Pg. 3

Following his release from prison in 1920, Otto returned to Oakland. Shortly after, at the age of 29, he married and had a son with his wife Evelyn.

In 1922, Carl Janson’s wife, Anna died. Four years later, Carl Janson died at his home on Sept. 29, 1926 after a long illness.

Emeryville Golden Gate Herald - Oct 1, 1926 - Pg. 1

A month after his passing, the firm was moved to their new 36,000 square foot plant at 1265 65th St. in Emeryville. The factory continued to specialize in structural and reinforcing steel as well as ornamental iron work.

Oakland Tribune - Oct 03, 1926 · Pg. 75

Otto Janson died on April 28, 1933 at the young age of 42. At the time of his death he was living at 1515 Holly Street in Berkeley.

The Oakland Post Enquirer - April 29, 1933

Soon after Otto Janson’s death, the factory’s machinery, equipment and office furniture was sold at auction and the company dissolved.

The plant was occupied by several companies over the years that continued manufacturing at the site including the Alloys Co. and the Beasley Engineering Company.

Its final use for industrial purposes was for Baker Metal Products which was operated by Lawrence D. Baker for over three decades. Baker passed in 2002.

After years of community input, the site was approved to be converted to housing in 2009. The approved project will include 17 homes, some studio and commercial space and 5 townhomes. The architect for the project is Philip Banta and Associates who also adapted the former International Harvester factory at 5900 Hollis Street.

Up until construction in 2024, a faint “Janson Iron Works” ghost sign could still be read on the northern face of the building.