Lake Merritt Wild Duck Refuge
Why it's listed
Lake Merritt is a 160-acre salt-water lake in the middle of downtown Oakland, California, an arm of the bay cut off by a causeway and movable dam. Parkways and boulevards circle it, lined with homes and public buildings, and a necklace of lights reflects in the water at night. Boaters use the lake, and the city of Oakland owns and maintains it. The site is recognized as the oldest legally established wildlife refuge in the United States. A bill introduced by Senator Edward Thompkins in the 1869-1870 legislature became law on March 18, 1870. Samuel Merritt had bought the former slough in 1852 and helped form the lake. Thousands of waterfowl winter here, mainly pintails and canvasbacks, along with baldpates, shovellers and other species. Birds descend among office and apartment buildings, and crowds gather to watch them. In 1929 a rare European widgeon was caught in a banding trap on the lake.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls Lake Merritt the oldest legally established wildlife refuge in the country, created by a bill that became law on March 18, 1870. It is described as a pioneer conservation effort and a wintering ground for thousands of waterfowl, set within a city's business district. It is also a popular place for people to watch the birds.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000205, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Lakeside Park, Grand Ave., Oakland |
|---|---|
| County | Alameda County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000205 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Areas of significance | Conservation |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 23, 1963 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition, on its original site, publicly owned, a park open to the public without restriction, and supported and maintained by the city of Oakland. |
| Acreage | 160 |
| Coordinates | 37.80468, -122.25623 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000205.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q3623431
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.