I grew up in the Montclair District of Oakland, CA. I attended Thornhill Elementary School, Montera Junior High, and Skyline High School and spent some time at Merritt College.
My childhood home in Montclair
I lived in Montclair until I was a young adult, and since then, I have lived by Lake Merritt, in the Fruitvale District, on Piedmont Ave, the King Estates Area, and now the Laurel District.
I have been an Oakland history buff since attending an Oakland Heritage Alliance Tour of the Fernwood Neighborhood in the Montclair District of Oakland in 1984. On that tour, I learned a train (Sacramento Northern) ran through Montclair in the early 1900s, and people lived in the area as early as the 1860s and have been hooked ever since. Since then, I have spent a lot of time looking into Montclair’s history, and I have learned a lot. This will be the best way to get it out of my head and onto paper.
2018. I started this blog because I had collected so much information on Oakland’s history that I couldn’t wait to share it. Posting in Facebook groups isn’t the best outlet for me. I love sharing what I know and reading what others share, but things get lost on Facebook.
I got started with the help of my dear friend Phil, and I was off and running. It should be easy, I say to myself, because I had already laid out actual pages and everything I wanted to say.
But it wasn’t.
I tend to get bogged down in the details, worry about getting my facts correct, and find it hard to find a happy medium between too much and too little. So, this is a work in progress, so bear with me.
I hope you will enjoy history as much as I do!
Down The Hole, I Go
But I have strayed from the topic of this post. When researching one thing, you often find something else that has nothing to do with what you are looking for, but it piques your interest. That happens to me a lot.
You might know this as the “Internet rabbit hole” you see when you research one thing and then accidentally go to Wikipedia, and then you are trying to find out what happened to Jimmy Hoffa. That is it in a nutshell.
One rabbit hole I get sucked into often is I will see a picture like this one and want to know more about it.
Oakland Tribune Apr 2, 1911
Location
Is it still there?
Those two things can be challenging as the location is sometimes vague and wrong. Sometimes, the area is correct. When looking up the house, I wonder who it was built for. Were they famous or rich, maybe both?
I have already added many homes I found while down the rabbit hole.
Some are from long ago and long gone, but some are still there. This information is based on clippings, newspapers, and photos. It may not be accurate, as address numbers have changed, and locations are often vague.
Maroon – Still there Black – Gone Yellow – Landmark Green – Berkeley Purple – Piedmont Red – Questions – researching
I still have many pages in the works; I must get myself out of this hole.
Our house in Montclair on Thornhill 5677 Thornhill – Google Maps –
In the 1980s, my ex-husband and I were custodians at the Montclair Presbyterian Church. Our employment included living in the house next door to the church.
The church celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1980, and I was surprised it had been there so long.
Oakland Tribune Aug 16, 1923
Since going on an Oakland Heritage Alliance Tour of the Fernwood Neighborhood in the Montclair District of Oakland in about 1984, I have been an Oakland history buff ever since. On that tour, I learned a train (Sacramento Northern) ran through Montclair in the early 1900s and that people lived in the area as early as the 1860s. This sparked my interest, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I remember spending countless hours poring over old newspapers and documents, trying to piece together the history of our neighborhood. Since then, I have spent much time looking into Montclair’s history and have learned a lot.
2018. I started this blog because I had collected so much information on Oakland’s history that I couldn’t wait to share it. I was posting in Facebook groups, which was a great way to connect with others, but there were better outlets to share my in-depth knowledge and research on Oakland’s history. The platform’s format often led to my posts needing to be noticed in the feed, and it took effort to maintain a cohesive narrative. I love sharing what I know and reading what others share, but I felt that a blog would allow me to present my information in a more organized and accessible way.
With the help from my dear friend Phil, I was off and running. It should be easy, I say to myself, because I had already laid out actual pages and everything I wanted to say.
But it wasn’t.
I get bogged down in the details. I worry about getting my facts correct. Finding a happy medium between too much and too little is challenging. So, this is a work in progress, so bear with me.
This is an updated version of a post I wrote in 2019. Many of the images were lost when I transferred my blog to a different hosting site. I’m looking through them one by one to correct any issues.
The 1928 Model View home was (is) situated at “The Top of the World”; in reality, the top-most peak of Montclair Highlands overlooking the entire bay and a little bit of the Pacific Ocean.
Oakland Tribune, March 25, 1928
Open for Inspection
This is a picturesque California Spanish type residense built for Paul Pause on the crest of the hill just above Piedmont.”
The 1928 Model View Home was open for inspection in March 1928. Paul Pause (see above quote) was the president of Montclair Realty Co. at the time and remained in that position for years afterward.
With a view of the bay region in which Baedecker (a travel expert) described the area “as the second finest in the world,” the 1928 Model view home on the crest of Montclair Highlands was complete and ready for inspection on
Oakland Tribune, March 25, 1928
The home was built by Elmo H. Adams, who at that time had built over too hundred fine residences in Oakland, including the $25,000 Calahan residence next door. Hamilton Murdock was the architect.
Oakland Tribune, May 6, 1928
A new type of setback style architecture was employed for the first time on the 1928 Model View Home. It was a marked stride forward in the adaptation of a Spanish-type residence to the requirements of hillside and hill-top dwellers. The house made the most of the view without incurring any extra costs.
The Observation Tower was nearby, where visitors could view many points of interest around the bay through a powerful telescope.
The Observation Tower circa 1925 Cheney Photo Advertising Co.
Great care was taken in the landscaping by Howard Gilkey and Wila Cloys Carmack, both of whom lived in Montclair. A sense of privacy was ensured by a pergola across the rear and tall shrubbery plantings along the lot’s boundaries.
Complete electrification is one of the outstanding features of the home.” Paul Pause Oakland Tribune Mar 25, 1928
The “1928 Model” View Home “The Home Electric.” All the latest features of proven merit – the things you have wondered about are used in the “1928 Model” home, including Oakland Tribune, Mar 25, 1928
In November of 1928, they held a movie screen test for children in the “1928 Model View “ home. The screen test was under the direction of the Sherman Clay Company.
Oakland Tribune, Nov 11, 1928
Montclair Highlands Commands Ones of The World’s Finest Views, and Only 15 Minutes From Downtown
Montclair Realty – 1928
The “1929 Model View” Home
For a few weeks, “1928 Model View” became the 1929 Model View.
Oakland Tribune Dec 23, 1928
On the Market
In 1936, Paul Pause announced that the home was again open for inspection.
Oakland Tribune, Nov 8, 1936
The cost to build is $13,500, and it was being sold for $8,750.
Oakland Tribune, Sept 13, 1936
For sale in 1954 for $17,500.
Oakland Tribune, May 9, 1954
Again in 1969.
SF Examiner, May 4, 1969
The Callahan Home
Next door to the “1928 Model View Home” is the R.B. Callahan home. His home was built in August 1926 by Elmo H. Adams, with Hamilton Murdock serving as the architect. The cost was between $20,000 and $25,000, which was a substantial amount at the time.
In the above photo, the Callahan home is visible on the left-hand side. The house is located at 1989 Asilomar Drive, the corner of Balboa Drive. The Observation Tower is seen on the right side.
From what I can tell, the Callahans lived there until the early 1940s.
On the Market
Oakland Tribune April 5, 1942
The Truitt family resided there from approximately 1945 to 1980. George Truitt was part-owner of Truitt & White Lumber in Berkeley, CA
The home of James Landon, located at 2057 Asilomar Ave, was built in 1937.
Oakland Tribune, Mar 2, 1937
In May 1937, the construction of a Spanish-style residence was underway. The home was for Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Cochran of Cochran & Celli. The house is located on the same site as the Observation Tower.
This is an updated version of a post I wrote in 2018. When I moved my blog to a different host (server), some of my posts didn’t fare well in the move. I’ve been reviewing my posts one by one, making corrections and updates as needed.
October 27, 2025
In May 1925, the Realty Syndicate Company offered two developments. They were both in Montclair.
Oakland Tribune, May 17, 1925
“It is said that the elevation of Montclair Highlands affords a view which surpasses anything from any other point in Oakland.” Oakland Tribune, May 17, 1925
SF Call Bulletin May 16, 1925
The first was the Montclair Business Center, as the name indicated, which was a tract for area businesses. The second was Montclair Highlands, a residential tract directly behind the business center.
you get a marine panorama not surpassed by any view in the world. Our free buss will bring up to the site.” Oakland Tribune Jan 07, 1925
The business tract was first offered for sale in 1921, then withdrawn, awaiting further growth in the area.
This post is about Montclair Highlands.
Oakland Tribune, May 31, 1925
Montclair Highlands and Montclair Highlands Extension are located behind the present business district in Montclair. The tract goes up about Saroni Drive with Colton Blvd and Shepherd Canyon on either side. It includes a few houses on Thornhill Drive and Mountain Blvd from Thornhill to Colton Blvd.
Opening
Baedecker, Tourist Authority Rates View From This Tract as Third Finest in The World.” SF Examiner May 23, 1925
Montclair Highlands was separated from the original Montclair tract by the business center. It overlooks the bay and the earlier Montclair units.
The Realty Syndicate sold Montclair Highlands, a district of very high-class, beautiful homes with large lots and strict building restrictions.
Oakland Tribune June 7, 1925
Many flocked to Montclair Highlands during the opening week. They enjoyed the remarkable panoramas from the level lots.
Oakland Post Enquirer June 6, 1925
Lots were priced from about $500 up, with 10% down and 1% a month.
Oakland Post Enquirer June 13, 1925
Observation Tower
Observation Tower circa 1925 – Location Asilomar Drive and Aztex Drive
The Realty Syndicate Company built an observation tower equipped with a special telescope and field glasses in June 1925.
The Realty Syndicate Company built an observation tower equipped with a special telescope and field glasses in June 1925.
Oakland Tribune Dec 23, 1925
From the observation tower high on the hill above the Montclair Business Center, all the interesting points around the San Francisco Bay were visible.
On a clear day, you could see as far as the Farallon Islands.
Open daily 9 am to 9 pm, the tower was free to the public.
From the Top of the World, as Montclair Highlands is called, there is an unobstructed view for many miles south, out across the bay to San Francisco, north to Mt. Tamalpais.
Oakland Tribune Aug 16, 1925
Transportation
In July 1928, the Smith Reserve- Montclair Highlands bus line was inaugurated by the Realty Syndicate. Leaving from the terminal, the buses would alternate their runs between Smith Reserve (now Piedmont Pines) and Montclair Highlands.
Oakland Tribune, July 1928
The increased popularity of the two tracts made this an essential step in their development.
Oakland Tribune Oct 7, 1928
With the completion of the new $18,000 bus terminal and depot in the Montclair business center, local transportation lines terminated at its slopes. The tract was also accessible by the Sacramento Northern Railroad.
you get a marine panorama not surprassed by any view in the world. Our free buss will bring you up to the site.” Oakland Tribune June 07, 1925
Over the years, I have conducted extensive research on the tracts and subdivisions throughout Oakland, with a particular focus on the Montclair area.
A few years ago, I created a map of the model/display homes I came across. This map is a work in progress and not perfect. In most cases, you will see a photo or clipping of the house, along with a link to one of my blog pages if I have written about it.
Enjoy, and maybe your home is on it.
Oakland Tribune, June 20, 1926
Model Homes
Model homes, also known as display homes or show houses, are typically fully furnished and decorated by local companies, often with high-end finishes and appliances.
They are open to the public, allowing prospective buyers to walk through and experience the home firsthand.
More Info:
Model Home
a house in a newly built development that is furnished and decorated to be shown to prospective buyers.
English Village is located on Holly Street between 74th and 77th in East Oakland.
New Homes Announced
English Village consists of fifty-six homes, all modeled after English cottages, according to the announcement. Walled-in gardens with quaint gates, gabled roofs, and paneled front doors were among the notable exterior features.
Oakland Tribune, March 1928
An English gate marked the entrance on Holly Street.
W.W. Dixon, the architect who designed Normandy Gardens (Picardy Drive), also worked on the English Village homes.
The homes in English Village are typically five or six rooms in size and range in price from $6,500 to $7,000.
Oakland Tribune, May 6, 1928
The first five homes served as a sample of the 51 other homes to be completed, all of which were modeled after beautiful little cottages.
Every house is uniquely designed compared to its neighbors. The builders were particularly proud of the beautiful breakfast rooms, furnished with hand-decorated furniture, and the kitchens, which were varied with colorful tile.
“Large closets. marvelously arranged and furnished kitchens and beautiful bathrooms are just a few of the features.”
The Pagoda Hill Kindergarten opened in 1883, by Miss Mary Alice Phelps, assisted by Miss Anna Warren, both graduates of Mrs. Kate Smith Wiggins’ training class at the California Kindergarten Training School in San Francisco.
“A leading School for Training the Little Ones of Oakland and vicinity“
Oakland Tribune Dec 29, 1882
The school was in Miss Phelps’s father’s (Coridan B. Phelps)home in Pagada Hill, near College Ave and Claremont Ave.
“derives its name from the hill it is stituated … the property having been part of the estate belonging to the late Hon. J. Ross Brown.” Oakland Tribune Jan 20, 1887
The climate was delightful and healthy.
The grounds were picturesque, and the house was large and airy.
The school aimed to make children happy, unselfish, gentle, obedient, thoughtful, industrious, and helpful.
Miss Warren was in charge of music and games. Sewing was also taught, and hot lunch was furnished to those who desired it.
Kidergarten on Wheels
In May 1883, the school purchased a handsome coach to take the children out for a daily airing. The coach held about 16 children and was also used to take them to and from school to protect them from the dangers of the streets.
...excellent care taken of the children and the good manors in which they are schooled both at then table and elsewhere”
New Location
The school moved to 1513 Telegraph Ave (corner of 21st) because they needed more room.
Oakland Tribune Jan 1884Oakland Tribune Dec 1884
Then the school moved back to Pagada Hill in 1886.
Oakland Tribune, March 1886
I’m not sure how long the kindergarten was in business. I have found ads up to 1887.
Highland Manor is located off of Broadway Terrace, before Lake Temescal.
Highland Manor Oakland, Alameda Co., Cal., 1915 / P.A. Haviland, County Surveyor. Filed at request of Realty Syndicate Company – UC Berkeley Library
In 1917, the Realty Syndicate Co. was preparing to sellHighland Manor, a restricted residential subdivision adjoining Rockridge. The engineering work on the 31 acres was completed, and the tract map was filed. The street work reached completion on McAdam Street (now Broadway Terrace), the main artery through the property.
Highland Manor
“with a bang war was declared“
Oakland Tribune August 12, 1920
Oakland Tribune May and August 1920
Further expenditures were stopped because America was at war. The completed advertising campaign gathered dust until it was revived in 1920 by new agents, with prices for quarter, half, and acre lots at $5.00 per front foot.
Highland Manor
“From where you look down upon your city Oakland. Whose streets spread like the arteries of a maple leaf until they sink into the Bay Beyond. From whence her lights at night glitter like a million diamonds set in the ebony of night – a panorama nowhere surpassed in the world.” Oakland Tribune
The home in the above photo is on Broadway Terrace at 6327. It is a two-story English-style home with a cement basement and a separate garage.
Oakland Tribune Jan 27, 1929Oakland Tribune Feb 15, 1970
In 1929, it sold for $7850.00, and again in 1970, it sold for $29,950. It is now estimated to be worth $1,612,215.
“Where the Air is Laden With the Sweet Breath of Nature“
Oakland Tribune August 13, 1922
The home in the photo below is at 6333 Broadway Terrace
“Where Quiet Reigns and Man Feels at Peace with Himself and the World”
Oakland Tribune August 13, 1922
Oakland Tribune
New Highland Manor Model Home
The home, which is of Spanish architecture, commands a marvelous view from the living, dining, and kitchen rooms. The living room runs the entire length of the house.
Oakland Tribune June 8, 1930
The first floor also has two bedrooms and a bathroom. The lower floor has a large bedroom that could be used as a child’s playroom or social hall, bathroom, laundry, furnace, and storage rooms.
Watts Hospital was the first and only Black hospital in Oakland. It was established in 1926 by Dr. William Watts, a Black physician from Houston, Texas.
Portrait of William Watts c 1910 – Watts (William M.) Papers African American Museum & Library at Oakland
William M. Watts (1885-1980) was born on February 15, 1885, in Lodi, Texas, to Perry and Jane Watts. He earned a medical degree from Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1915. Watts died in 1980 while living in Arkansas.
Dr. Watts arrived in Oakland in 1924 after living in Fresno, CA.
California Eagle 1922
William Watts standing next to car c 1920s – Watts (William M.) Papers African American Museum & Library at Oakland
Watts Hospital functioned as a hospital, sanitarium, and training school for Black nurses. At the time, local hospitals refused to train Black nurses.
Oakland Tribune
The modern 22-bed located at 3437 Harlen Street in North Oakland,
Dr. William Watts and three nurses standing before Watt’s Private Hospital, Oakland, California – Watts (William M.) Papers African American Museum & Library at OaklandThe location today on Google Maps
“Expert diagnois, expert surgery, expert treatment and expert nursing with good will to all.”
In 1892, a group of prominent African American women from Oakland, California, formed the Old People’s Home Association (OPHA). Its purpose was to establish and sustain a home for the aged and infirm colored people.
Screenshot
The Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People was the first to be built in California. It was sometimes called Beulah Home because of its location in Beulah Heights (Beulah initially.)
Beulah Heights (originally just Beulah) was a district in Alameda County just northwest of Mills College. In 1909, it was annexed to the City of Oakland.
The association was directed by a Board of Directors consisting of thirty women and an advisory board of ten men, and the home was managed by a matron, nursing assistants, and a resident physician.
The association sponsored festivals, dances, and concerts to raise money for building costs.
Below is a page from the 1925 Vol 5 Sanborn Fire Map. The left circle shows what is now MacArthur Blvd. The right circle shows the home, which is now within the college campus.
After the OPHA secured the land, they hired local architect D.F. Oliver to draw up the plans for the home. The plans called for a neat two-story building with a mansard roof and underground basement for $2.773, andI. and H. Bingham were the builders.
Oakland Tribune Aug 18, 1897
The deed contained a few binding clauses:
“…the land was to be used only for the home, and should it ceased to exsit the property would revert back to Montgomery.”
“…no intoxicating shall ever be sold.”
The home was ready in two months and began receiving inmates (residents) in October 1897.
Oakland Enquirer July 1905
The two-story Victorian originally had sixteen rooms. In 1905, after an eight-room edition, which gave them room for nineteen residents. Electricity was added in 1919. In 1927, an annex of four bedrooms and two sleeping porches was added.
This is from their letterhead circa the 1930s.
Donation Day
The association always needed money to keep the home open. They would sponsor dances, dinners, and donation days.
San Francisco Call and Post Nov 1914
Once a year, the directors of the home made a plea to the people of Oakland to contribute a small portion to the comfort of the “elderly colored people” who lived there.
Oakland Tribune Nov 1919
The Residents
Alcohol use was prohibited, and males and females were segregated in the living quarters. The women were required to sew, knit, and assist in domestic labor as they could. The men were required to cultivate the grounds and keep them in good order. The men also cared for the livestock. You had to be sixty-five or older to become a resident.
Initially, residents were charged a lifetime membership fee of $500.00. In 1919, the price was lowered to $350.00. In 1934, the price was $600.00.
In 1937, they proposed (not sure if they did) charging incoming residents:
$ 1000.00-lifetime fee for 65 to 69 years old
$ 800.00-lifetime fee for 70 years or older
$ 1400.00-lifetime fee for out-of-state residents
The first resident was Alvin A. Coffey, a Kentucky-born, formerly enslaved person. He came to California during the Gold Rush.
1849 Alvin A. Coffey came to California with his master’s brother. Coffey was permitted to start a business for himself, but he was not allowed to keep his money. Between 1849 and 1857, he made three trips to California. On the third trip, he saved enough money to purchase freedom for himself, his wife, and his children. Coffey and his family settled in Shasta County in 1857.
An Oakland Tribune article from 1901 reported an unsuccessful attempt was made to have Alvin Coffey sent to an insane asylum.
Coffey stated the problem started when he sold a horse to the home’s matron and her daughter for $35.00. He said she refused to pay, so he went to the association, and they ordered her to pay.
“Since then, she has been very bitter towards me.” Coffey 1901
The matron swore to the complaint, charging Coffey with insanity. She alleged he attempted to put chickens to roost during the day and that he had
“a strange gleam in his eye.” Harriet Davis 1901
The complaint was discharged by the Lunacy Commissioner, who found Coffey to be of sound mind.
Solano-Napa News Chronicle March 6, 1952
Mrs. Mary Ann Lane, a Negro Pioneer and ex-slave, died in the home in 1932 at the age of 102. She had lived there for twenty-five years.
1908 Oakland City Directory
Mrs. Sarah McDonald died in 1924
Closing the Home
In 1937, the Department of Social Services informed them that their license to run the home was put on hold due to concerns they had about its financial condition.
At the same time, the Oakland Fire Marshall strongly recommended that the residents be moved to a safe, fire-proof building—the cost of bringing the old wooden building up to fire prevention requirements. The Community Chest of Oakland withdrew its monthly support.
UndatedBudget Report most likey the late 1930s.
“the present building constitutes a serious and dangerous fire hazard.”Oakland Fire Marshall, 1937
The home remained in business until 1938. , Mills College purchased the property in 1938 and the home was demolished in 1939.
This is an updated post to one I wrote in 2019. Enjoy!
A news cinema or newsreel theatre is a cinema that specializes in continuously showing short films and occasionally features films.
The Newsreel Theater opened in October 1939; before that, it was the Franklin Theater (not to be confused with the other Franklin Theater.)
Oakland Tribune October 1939
The Franklin Theater was originally the Bishop Playhouse (later called the Fulton), which opened in 1915.
Bishop Playhouse on Franklin Street in Oakland, California. DATE:1919 Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
In 1935, the Fulton Theater (formally Bishop) reopened as the Franklin, a motion-picture house taking its name from the previous Franklin, which had closed down.
The Newsreel Theater closed and transformed into the Telenews Theatre and opened on July 18, 1941
Oakland Tribune July 18, 1941
The theatre was the first to include local newsreel stories in the regular week’s program. Each program or show comprised fifty news events, including the “Ringside Seat to World War Two” series with Regan McCrary.
During the opening week, they showed a “Salute to Oakland,” a film on Oakland’s industrial, civic, and community life. The film showed the new Woodminster Amphitheater, Lake Merritt, Mills College, Oakland’s High Schools, and City Hall.
Oakland Tribune July 18, 1941
The lobby included a large “Progressive War Map,” updated daily. Twelve clocks showed the current time in cities throughout Europe, America, and Asia, and a teletype machine was also in the lobby.
Oakland Tribune July 18, 1941
Franklin Theater Once Again
When Telenews took over the Fox News Theater’s operation on Broadway in 1943, this theater became the Franklin once again and showed first-run movies.
The theater went dark in 1951 and was demolished to make room for an office building.
Oakland Tribune April 19, 1953
Fox News Theater on Broadway
“Fox Offers Timely Topics in Modern Show House.” – Oakland Tribune July 5, 1942
Located at 1906 Broadway, the 552-seat Fox News Theatre opened on July 3, 1942.
S. Charles Lee, a theatrical architect, designed the Fox News Theater.
The lounges were designed for convenience and luxury. An “electric eye” operated the magic fountain, eliminating manual operation.
Oakland Tribune July 1942
The Fox News Theater had a studio in the downstairs lounge, which broadcast vital news programs and topics of the day on the KQW CBS outlet.
Screenshot
Telenews took over the operation on April 30, 1943. The theater was renamed The Broadway Telenews Theater.
Newsreel Theatre on Broadway
In July 1941, the Oakland Tribune announced that Oakland would have a Newsreel Theater, a sister to the one in San Francisco.
Oakland Tribune 1942Screenshot
The 300-seat theater had spacious lounge rooms, which provided accommodations for writing letters, holding business conferences, reading the latest newspapers and magazines, etc.
The building first housed the Regent Theater, later the Regent Photo Theater.
Broadway at 12th circa 1917 – showing the Regent Theater. Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising
In the mid-1950s, the Newsreel (The Regent) was renamed the Peerlex. The Peerlex offered three action hits for 50 cents.
By 1972 the Regent was rechristened the Pussycat Theater showing XXX adult movies.
The city of Oakland acquired the theater by eminent domain in 1987.
