Alameda History in Gingerbread — the Croll Building

There are gingerbread houses — and then there are Alameda resident Donna Eyestone's gingerbread houses, marvels of local history sculpted from flour, sugar, ginger and icing.

This year Eyestone and her nine-year-old daughter Emma have recreated the historic Croll's Building at the corner of Webster Street and Central Avenue — where it will be on display throughout the holiday season.

A hometown tavern since the 1880s, the building had fallen into disrepair but came back to life in 2011 when Alamedans Mike Cooper and Yanni Placarakis opened the 1400 Bar & Grill.

Their renovation came complete with two of the tavern's original Tiffany-style hanging lamps they found and repaired. (See photos of the interior and read more about the restoration in "Alameda Business Spotlight: 1400 Bar and Grill.")

Taking pride of place this month is the gingerbread version of the building, showcased in the bay window on the Webster Street side.

This is Eyestone's fifth "historic" gingerbread house. Previous creations were the Alameda Main Library, the Alameda Theater, City Hall and the Park Street shopping district.

The 1400 Bar & Grill is located at 1400 Webster St.

For a look at some of Eyestone's previous historic gingerbread houses:

Alameda Theatre Replica Made of Gingerbread

Alameda City Hall in Gingerbread

Park Street Never Looked So Delicious


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