#108 Broadway Shopping Center

Early 1950s

Construction of the Broadway Shopping Center – one of the country’s first open-air, auto-oriented malls -- began in 1950 on undeveloped land near the intersection of Main Street (Highway 21) and Mt. Diablo Boulevard (Highway 24). The 38-store shopping center opened in October 1951 with Sears, J.C. Penney, and a Lucky grocery store -- and 1,500 free parking spaces.