Martinez Historical Society

Walking Tour of Martinez

Bell Telephone Company Building

736 Ferry Street

The telephone was brought to Martinez and the Northern Pacific Railroad depot on Ferry Street in 1881 by James Borland. After several moves a permanent home was sought and after a 1904 fire this property was sold to the telephone company.

Although we know this building as the A.F Bray, Jr. law offices, it started life as the home of the Bell Telephone Company, successor to the Contra Costa Telephone Company of San Francisco in 1881. The grand opening of the originally art deco structure was delayed four months after it was badly damaged by the 1906 earthquake.

Martinez Historical Society Plaque #14 Reads:  Built after the Fire of 1904 which razed the entire block.  Occupied by Contra Costa Telephone founded in 1881 by J. Borland which was sold to Pacific Bell Telephone company in 1892 with R. Borland as superintendent for 40 years.  Offices of Bray and Bray since 1961.