William Payson News Today

Faye Lucy P. (Payson) Doucette passed away on December 21, 2023. She was born in Thomaston, Maine on April 10, 1933. Faye was the second daughter of 10 children born to Merrill W. and Evelyn O. (Moody) Payson and raised on Riverdale Stock Farm on...

As a child, Kamala Harris lived with her mother and sister in this Bancroft Way home in West Berkeley. Photo: Steven Finacom Update, March 9, 5 p.m.: City Councilmember Kate Harrison will pull her proposed resolution to “change” Berkeley law to enable the landmarking of Kamala Harris’ childhood home. After more discussion with staff, Harrison said she has more clarity about the circumstances in which a person’s home can be considered for landmark status. She had based her resolution on ...

Payson House. Photon: Alon Danino/City of Berkeley A 132-year-old brown shingle house in North Berkeley bears an interesting history, but doesn’t warrant landmark preservation status under the city’s preservation laws, the City Council decided on Thursday. The decision clears the way for the Payson House at 1915 Berryman St. to become a residential townhouse development with 10 units. The front of the Payson House is blocked by several live oak trees. Photo: Supriya Yelimeli About 70 Berkel...

Berkeley City Council holds special meeting on 2 land use appeals Brianna Luna/Senior Staff Berkeley residents appealed to the Landmarks Preservation Commissions denial of the William H. and Esther L. Payson House as a city recognized landmark, pleading with the Berkeley City Council by citing the house’s historic value and William Payson’s role in the city’s First Unitarian Church. In opposition to the appeal, historic architect Mark Hulbert disputed the claim that the Payson House was t...