William Byron Rumford, called Byron by his many friends and colleagues, was born in 1908. A UC Berkeley graduate, with a degree in pharmacology, Rumford was the first African American to be elected to any public office in Northern California. "Rumford took the leap in 1948 from the pharmacy he owned on Sacramento Street in Berkeley to Sacramento itself, where he was best known for authoring two state legislative landmarks: the Fair Employment Practices Act of 1959; and the Fair Housing Act of 1963," say library history room files.

The legislation became the main legal weapon against housing discrimination until passage of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1968.

"Rumford was to politics what Jackie Robinson was to baseball," say the files, in a tribute written upon his death in 1986.

During 1948 to 1966 when Rumford served in the Legislature, his Berkeley pharmacy became an informal headquarters for other emerging politicians, such as future mayor Lionel Wilson and California Supreme Court Justice Allen Broussard.

After spending 18 years in the Assembly, Rumford ran for state Senate in 1966, but lost in an extremely close race where votes counts were computerized for the first time. Glitches in the new system allegedly cost him the election, say the files.

In 1980, a section of Highway 24, formerly known as the Grove Shafter freeway (from the Caldecott Tunnel to MacArthur Boulevard) was renamed in Rumford's honor. Motorists emerging from the tunnel on to the Byron Rumford stretch are treated to a truly breathtaking view of Oakland, Berkeley and the Bay, perhaps one of the most scenic views in the California state highway system.

Rumford received further recognition for his years in public service when the postal station in the downtown Oakland federal building complex (opened in 1993) was dedicated as the Rumford Postal Station in 1997. The busy station is located on the northeastern quadrangle of the complex, next to Clay and 14th streets. The entire complex is known as the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building, and is distinctive for its contrasting limestone and granite facade, two 18-floor towers linked by an impressive light-filled atrium lobby, and a set back, outdoor plaza facing neighboring City Center. KMD Architects were responsible for the award-winning design of the complex.

For a listing of all the Summer Walks offered by OHA in August, log on to www.oaklandheritage.org, or call 763-9218. The "New Era tour" will be repeated Sept. 4 (Labor Day weekend). Contact the Oakland Tours Program, 238-3234, to learn more.