Rolling Hills, Pleasing Climate
Situated in eastern Oakland’s rolling hills, it enjoys a warm, balmy climate and provides ideal home sites with an unobstructed view, a perfect place for children.
New Developer at Oak Knoll
David D Bohannon well-known subdivider and developer of San Francisco properties formed a new company called Oak Knoll Land Development Company. The company was to sell and develop the Oak Knoll area.
300 Home Building Plan
In June of 1937, David D. Bohannon Organization announced a vast building program of 300 new homes for Oak Knoll.
“beautiful detached homes of distinctive and individual architectural design, all situated on lots of generous dimensions.”
said: Bohannon
The Plan
- Distinctive Architecture
- FHA Inspection
- FHA Financing
- Restrictions Guard Oak Knoll*
*In developing Oak Knoll, reasonable restrictions have been set up to maintain what Nature has already done so well. Oakland Tribune June 06, 1937
The building in the distance is either Holy Redeemer or Oak Knoll Country Club. If the photo is of Oak Knoll Ave (was Cabrillo Ave) then it would be Holy Redeemer.
Photo was taken 1929-1930 by Milton W. Molitor.
The Plan in Action
The photo below shows the progress of their building plan. This is from the Oakland Tribune 1937. You can see Molitor home in the bottom right-hand corner
List of homes in the above photo.
- 3500 Calandria Ave
- 3514 Calandria Ave
- 3775 Margarita Ave
- 3478 Margarita Ave
- 3439 & 3442 Margarita
- 3448 Margarita Ave
- 3443 Mirasol Ave
- 3501 Mirasol Ave
- 3517 Mirasol Ave
- 3583 Mirasol Ave
- 3539 Granada Ave
- 9408 Granada Ave
- 3649 Oak Knoll Blvd
- 3641 Oak Knoll Blvd
- 3541 Mirasol Ave
- 3500 Mirasol Ave
- 3616 Mirasol Ave
- 3509 Oak Knoll Blvd
- 3517 Oak Knoll Blvd
- 9527 Granada Ave
- 3606 Oak Knoll Ave
New Oak Knoll Home – 3500 and 3501 Mirasol Ave
A two-story Early California Style home opened July 4, 1937.
Attractive Home in Oak Knoll
Open in Oak Knoll
This home is located at 3533 Mirasol Avenue
Activity in Oak Knoll
Oak Knoll Display Home
“The Home You’ve Read ad Dreamed of…Priced Lower Than You Dared to Hope.”
The first of the Oak Knoll Display Homes opened in June of 1937. The home was furnished by Breuner’s. ( I don’t know the location of this home)
A spacious central living room with two bedrooms and a bath on one side, and inviting library-guest room with a bathroom and convenient, sunny kitchen on the other.
- Beautifully designed electric fixtures in all rooms
- Extra tile-top kitchen work table
- Indirect lighting over the sink
- Generous cupboard and drawer space…carefully planned.
One of Many New Oak Knoll Homes
Oak Knoll’s Exposition Home
The ‘Exposition’ home is located 9333 Murillo Ave opposite of Mirasol. The 1700 square foot house has beautiful view of the bay and bridges
- Built-in bookcases
- Peerless Kitchen
- Breakfast Nook
The Golden Gate International Exposition was going happening on Treasure Island in 1939 and 1940. Hence the name Exposition Home and I can imagine they could see Treasure Island from the house.
One unique feature of the home was the 14 x 40-foot children’s playroom. In the backyard, there was a fenced playground with recreation equipment. (I wish I had a picture of that!)
Unique Opportunity!
Bus Service in Oak Knoll
Open to View in Oak Knoll
More Info:
- New Oak Knoll Tract Lauded – Oakland Tribune June 13, 1937
- Homes Rising at Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune June 20, 1937
- Display Home will Open – Oakland Tribune June 27, 1937
- Homes Draw in Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune July 04, 1937
- Oak Knoll Tract Wins Popularity – Oakland Tribune July 11, 1937
- Many People See Oak Knoll Homes – Oakland Tribune July 18, 1937
- Site Offers Ideal Climate – Oakland Tribune August 01, 1937
- Show to get Color Photos – Oakland Tribune October 29, 1937
- Oak Knoll Has Great Growth – Oakland Tribune October 01, 1937
- Activity In Oak Knoll Continues – Oakland Tribune October 29, 1939
- Christmas Home in Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune December 17, 1939
- Active Demand In Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune April 16, 1940
- Oak Knoll Homes Are Open to View – Oakland Tribune January 21, 1940
Thanks for all your work on this post. Really interesting and informative.
Thank you
Do you have any history on the high st. area homes? I grew up on 2027 high st. And have always looked for homes built similar to the one I grew up in. 1976- 2012
I haven’t done much about the particular part of High St. I googled your address and there are a lot of homes like yours in Oakland. They were very common around the early 1900s. I lived in one that looked similar on Lynde St – I will see if anything pops out about that area. Dorothy
Thanks for your research. Your posts on the Oak Knoll area are intriguing. I own a home on Margarita and Granada built in 1939. I’m wondering if you have any information about my house. Thank you for your great work to inform citizens of Oakland’s history.