This is an updated version of this post I wrote in 2019. 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 them one by one, making corrections and updates as needed.
The Million Dollar View home is named for its exceptional panorama of the entire bay.
Oakland Tribune August 9, 1936
Oakland Tribune Sept 13, 1936
Oakland Tribune August 9, 1936
The home officially opened on August 9, 1936, and by the third week, 7000 visitors passed through the Million Dollar View Home. The architect was Conrad T Kett, and the builder was Paul Walter (Worter?)
Oakland Tribune, March 22, 1936
The residence was designed with the family in mind. Great care was taken to ensure the kitchen was both conveniently and spaciously arranged.
Oakland Tribune August 1936
English Tudor with six spacious rooms that take full advantage of the panoramic view of Oakland, San Francisco, and the Bay, including both bridges and vistas from San Pablo Bay to miles down the Peninsula.
With an extra-large living room, dining room, breakfast room, and kitchen. The kitchen is usually large and is a masterpiece of careful planning and scientific, step-saving arrangement. Oakland Tribune Aug 09, 1936
Three large bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a second-floor sundeck.
Women will marvel at its extra cupboard space and the way we have provided for thoses hard to store odds and ends
A tour of six modern furnished homes was opened for inspection on Sunday, August 13, 1939. The houses were in Berkeley, Moraga, and Oakland. I will highlight the two places from Oakland.
Oakland Tribune August 13, 1939
Lincoln Highlands
Oakland Tribune Aug 27, 1939
Harmony Home
2700 Alida Street
1939
$6750 up
Lincoln Highlands
Irwin M. Johnson – architect
W.H. Wisheropp – owner and builder
H.G. Markham – realtor
Oakland Tribune Aug 1939
Harmony Home was one of several homes constructed in Lincoln Highlands in 1939. It is located on Alida Street at the top of Coolidge Avenue.
The compact plan included a large living room, a dining room, a kitchen with a breakfast nook, a tile bath with three bedrooms, and an informal den with access to a double garage.
Oakland Tribune August 20, 1939
Oakland Tribune August 27, 1939
In less than a month, over 12,000 had toured Harmony Home.
Before the opening of Hempstead House in Sheffield Village, the H.C Capwell’s Company created a full-scale floor plan model wholly furnished in the furniture department on the fourth floor of their downtown store.
Prominent real estate companies and builders in Montclair held an “open-house” week during the Oakland National Home Show held October 22- 30, 1937. Oakland Tribune Oct 22, 1937
A while back, I was doing a simple search on buildings in Montclair. I came across this article (posted below) from 1962, with the attached photo. It was about the destruction of the building that was to be replaced with a new $125,000 building. The new building was called the Eberhart Building.
Of course, I needed to learn more about the building that was now just a pile of rubbish, as seen in the photo above.
Location of the building – google maps
The photo above shows the structure as it looks today. In researching the address, I found that the real estate firm Winder and Gahan first occupied the site in 1938.
According to the article from 1962 – In 1921, a group of real estate men stood with “high hopes” in front of a small Spanish-style stucco building that looked entirely out of place in the open fields of the Montclair District.
“There was just a building with a sign “tract office” on it, the open fields and a dusty, narrow road in in front of it.”
This is probably how Montclair looked when that group of men stood in from of the building “with high hopes.” I don’t think they were standing in front of the same building demolished in 1962, as noted in the article. Unless it is one the right, and they moved it and changed its style?
Sales offices of real estate brokers and home builder Cos Williams 6501 Moraga Photo c1921 by Cheney Photo Advertising F-2830 Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
Cos Williams office is the small building on the left in the above picture. The street going uphill is La Salle Avenue. The address was 6501 Moraga Avenue.
Oakland Tribune Oct 31, 1925
New Real Estate Firm in Montclair
In 1933 A.H. WInder opened an office at the corner of Moraga Avenue and La Salle Avenue. The address was 6500 Moraga Avenue.
Oakland Tribune Sept 24, 1933
Winder was the exclusive sales agent for the Forest Park extension and Shepherd Canyon Park.
I bet you are wondering what this has to do with the building at 2070 Mountain Blvd. Trust me; it will all make sense soon.
In 1936 A.H. WInder and J. J. Gahan formed a new firm called “Winder & Gahan Corporation.”
Oakland Tribune Sep 24,1936
New Location Announced
“With the expiration of their present lease at 6500 Moraga Avenue,” states A.H.Winder, “we will build a new office on the on the recently -acquired site, using a frontage of 72 feet on Mountain Boulevard”
Oakland Tribune Oct 1937
Oakland Tribune Oct 24, 1937
In 1937 the real estate firm of Winder and Gahan announced the recent purchase by the firm of a piece of land (Block “H”) in the heart of the business district, near the intersection of Moraga Avenue and Mountain Boulevard.
Block H – 2070 Mountain Blvd
The Heart of Montclair Business Center
Oakland Tribune Feb 25, 1940
Winder & Gahan moved into their new office at 2070 Mountain Boulevard in November 1938.
Oakland Tribune Mar 05, 1939
It would eventually be the home of Eberhart Realty. I am not sure exactly when they moved to 2070 Mountain Boulevard.
Oakland Tribune May 20, 1962
2070 Mountain Blvd Google maps
My Research
Montclair from 1935 Courtesy East Bay Regional Park District.
The above picture shows “Block H,” an empty piece of land (the small triangle). In 1938 Winder & Gahan built their new offices there. That small building would be there until 1962. It was destroyed by a bulldozer, as noted in the first article I posted above.
Maybe they moved the other building in the photo from 1921 and updated, enlarged, and added stucco. The more I looked at photo
6466 Moraga on the right
I think the building on the right is the oldest in Montclair now and in 1962 it one of least two buildings that were from the 1920s. I do think after looking at the picture from the 1920s that it is quite possible that it the same building that was moved and became the Winder offices.
The grey building on the left is probably from that same era.
I have shared a few of the photos from an album entitled “Lakeshore Highlands” that was prepared for Frederick Law Olmsted who was hired by Walter H. Leimert.
The album is from the archives of Olmsted at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Siteand Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation’s foremost park maker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world’s first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted’s design ideals, philosophy, and influence.
I believe the photos were taken by Cheney Photo Advertising Company and Morton Photo Company.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View Southwest from between Wesley Avenue and Radnor Road – June 1914
Looking at Wesley Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd, Lake Merritt and downtown.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View North Between Excelsior and Beacon Avenues – June 1914
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View Northwest from Between Hillgirt Circle and Haddon Road – June 1914
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View Southwest towards Haddon Hill – June 1914
You can see what is now the corner of Lake Park Ave and Grand Avenue. The future home of the Grand Lake Theater.
Looking North from Hillgirt Circle North and Hillgirt Circle South – Haddon Hill – Today Prospect Avenue and Hillgirt Circle – June 1914 –
You can see Santa Clara Avenue, Grand Lake Avenue. The future location of the Grand Lake Theater, Lakeview School and the MacArthur Freeway
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
Looking Northwest from Haddon Hill Towards Sather Tract Entrance – June 1914
Looking towards the Trader Joe’s parking lot and the Trestle Glen Road. You can see Rand Avenue and Mandana Blvd.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
LAKESHORE HIGHLANDS OAKLAND, c 1918
Lake Shore Highlands; Wickham Havens –Sather Tract, formerly –Leimert, Walter H
Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
Map of HADDON HILL
c1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
“Silver Windows” was a display home in the Piedmont Pinessection of Montclair. The house opened for the public to see in 1936. The house was designed by F. Harvey Slocombe. It is on Darby Drive.
Windows, from which one glimpses the bay through lofty pines are not the only feature of this new show home.
Oakland Tribune Dec 06, 1936
Oakland Tribune Dec 06, 1936
Sunlight through “Silver Windows”
Oakland Tribune Dec 13, 1936
Oakland Tribune Dec 13, 1936
Oakland Tribune Dec 1936
From the curved window in the living room, you could see all of Oakland, plus two bridges,
Oakland Tribune Dec 1936
Oakland Tribune Dec 1936
The kitchen, with its floors curving into the wall, eliminating dust-gathering corners was of particular interest to the women visitors. The kitchen was “all-metal” with a gleaming sink, drainboard, work board, and cabinets. Oakland Tribune Mar 19, 1937
Almost everyone who grew up in Montclair played in the park. The park was always full of kids.
Montclarion 1960
If you visited or played in the park from 1960 to around 1993, you would remember the two-story playhouse. It was built in 1960 and was located by the swing sets.
March 1964 from Mary Jo Losso
By 1993 the playhouse was boarded up due to fires and covered with graffiti. It is rumored the fires were caused by teens or someone smoking in the house.
Oakland Tribune Sep 01, 1993
I enjoyed playing in the small playhouse. I would pretend I lived there and that my best friend lived next door.
Montclarion 1960
Built-in 1960
In 1960 the Montclair Junior Women’s Club of Montclair held fundraisers and worked with the Oakland Recreation Department to finance a playhouse for the park in Montclair.
Oakland Tribune Apr 25, 1960
Oakland Tribune 1960
The 120-square-foot playhouse incorporated such features as kitchenettes with running water. toy stoves and refrigerators. Each unit had a living room with a built-in play television set and a circular metal stairway leading up to the sleeping balcony and sundeck.
The structure’s exterior was covered with heavy wire to create the illusion of a closed building. Bright colored squares of orange, yellow, turquoise, and white decorate the front of the playhouse.
Oakland Tribune Sept 14, 1960
Jan 1973from Mike Shuken
The playhouse was designed and constructed by members of the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department.
Bert Trubody
Robert Savattone
Paul Mortensen
From Beth Reynolds
Fun in Merrivilla
Circa 1985 – From Forgotten Montclair on Facebook
Dollhouse Named Diane
From the Facebook Group – Forgotten Montclair
There was also a playhouse located in Pinto Park/Carl B. Munck School’s play yard.
Official and historical atlas map of Alameda County, California. Compiled, drawn, and published from personal examinations and surveys by Thompson & West. Oakland, Cala. 1878. Res. & farm of P.A. Finigan, Brooklyn Tp.
The Alden Farm (Alder Farm) once stood on the land whereHoly Names University is located today.
In 1874 Charles Low owned the property. A barn was located where Tobin Halls and the university’s gymnasium are today. He built a house for his family on the site where Brennan Hall stands today. You can see a map of the campus here.
Oakland Tribune May 1877
Oakland Tribune Nov 28, 1877
In 1877 Peter A. Finigan (Finnegan) purchased the property from Low and built a second house near where Cushing Library is today.
In 1884 Thomas Magee of Thomas Magee & Sons Real Estate Firm purchased the farm. I bet Magee Avenue was named after him.
Magee added a second story to the house that Finigan built.
During the early years, the Magee would spend winter at their home in San Francisco and summer on Alden Farm. After the 1906 earthquake and fire, they made their home permanently at Alden Farm.
Alden Farm was considered one of the premier showplaces in Oakland. Many social events and weddings were held there over the years.
Toler Heights is located on the Foothill Boulevard (now MacArthur Boulevard). The tract is about 157 acres with almost 1,000 building sites.
Toler Heights got its name from the ranch that was on the land previously.
SF Examiner May 20, 1910
Toler Ranch
William Pinkney Toler(1829-1899) and his wife, Maria Antonia (1836-1926), owned 330 (349) acres of land in the foothills of Elmhurst. Maria was the daughter of Hermenegildo “Ignacio” Peralta. William and Maria were married in 1853.
The ranch was located on the foothills road between Elmhurst and San Leandro, later known as Foothill Boulevard, and is now MacArthur Boulevard. The ranch was close to both the Talbot Farmand theDunsmuir Home.
Oakland Tribune Oct 8, 1888
Toler Ranch Sold
After her husband’s death, Mrs. Toler sold the ranch to the Realty Syndicate for $110,000-$120,000. The land was then subdivided and placed on the market.
Oakland Tribune, Mar 26, 1906
SF Call July 30, 1906
The ranch spanned approximately 300 to 349 acres, but according to the newspapers, the tract was 150 acres.
Oakland Tribune Jan 6, 1907
Map of Toler Heights – 1907
Panel title: Map of Toler Heights, Elmhurst, Oakland. Oriented with north towards the left. Cadastral map.the http://oskicat.berkeley.edu/record=b11188562~S1
Opening Day 1907
Large crowds attended the opening on October 6, 1907. On that day, they held a barbecue festival with free food served in tents. A band played lively music, while young boys sold popcorn.
Sf Chronicle Oct 27, 1907
SF Examiner Oct 13, 1907
A group of Investors owned the property, and the Southwest Securities Company was handling the sales for them.
SF Call Sept 28, 1907
Over $200,000 was sold on opening day.
The lots were larger, ranging from 50X125 to a full acre. The business lots fronted on Foothill Boulevard.
Toler Heights is not a newtown, sand dune or a place in the wilderness: But Toler Heights is the Nob Hill, the cream of Elmhurst property, and so cheap in price that is – The Best Buy Offered.” Oakland Tribnune Oct 09 1907
Change of Ownership
In 1910, the Henderson & Tapscotts Company purchased Toler Heights. They made numerous improvements to the tract. Opening day was held on May 22, 1910.
The corner of MacArthur and 90th Avenue,Cheney Photo Advertising Company.Circa 1912.Previously sold on eBay
The photo above might be showing the Silva Ranch on Foothill Blvd
Toler Heights is on the scenic boulevard along the foothills. The area has a slight elevation and an unrivaled view of Oakland and the bay with San Francisco in the distance.
it combines all the beauties and advnatages of Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, and Piedmont Heights, but without the cutting winds, blinding dust, and exasperating fog.” SF Call Oct 06, 1907
Toler Heights was referred to as “The Piedmont of East Oakland” due to its commanding view and surroundings.
Some of the wealthiest families of Oakland and one wealthy banker from San Francisco have their villa homes adjoining Toler Heights.
Looking towards Thermal Street and 90th Avenue. Cheney Photo Advertising Company, Circa 1912
In 1911, the Oakland Traction Company completed a Toler Heights branch line via 90th Avenue from East 14th (now International Boulevard). They called it the Toler Heights Extension. At the time, Toler Heights was 24 minutes from downtown Oakland, via streetcar.
During the auction, buyers were allowed to make their own estimate of the value of each piece of property, and they could bid as low or as high as they pleased.
Oakland Tribune, June 4, 1922
Oakland Tribune Feb 11, 1923
Restrictions
The owners of the Toler Heights imposed certain building restrictions, which were incorporated in the transfer of the property, giving assurance that “neither Orientals or any objectionable persons, or their homes will ever be tolerated on the heights.”
New School – May 1928 – Now Barack Obama Academy
Oakland Tribune, May 23, 1928
Toler Heights School – Now Barack Obama Academy – 9736 Lawlor St
