Andrew J. Gregg, also known as A.J. Gregg, was the first president of the community formed on Winters Island in Suisun Bay. "He was a carpenter and Populist Party candidate for lieutenant-Governor in 1894. Gregg campaigned for the elimination of private property and helped found the Carpenters Union." 1

In 1890-91, he was the secretary of the Oakland Co-Operative Building and Improvement Company located at 417 Tenth Street, with a residence at 1719 Eighth Street.2 The OCBIC was formed by a group of striking carpenters. 3 4

Links and References

  1. Paradise Lost: Building a Socialist Utopia in Contra Costa County, William Mero, Contra Costa Historical Society

  2. Husted's Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley Directory, 1891 https://archive.org/details/hustedsoaklandal1891hust/page/652/mode/2up?q=a.j.+gregg
  3. The Blacklist; The Co-operative Company Obtains its First Contract, Oakland Daily Evening Tribune, July 21, 1890
  4. Assessment Notice, Oakland Daily Evening Tribune, October 13, 1890
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