Smith Reserve Opens

The Realty Syndicate announced in May of 1926 that they were putting 300 acres in the hills behind Piedmont for sale. F.M. Smith once owned the land.

“Smith reserve is the most beautiful tract of land opened by the Syndicate Company” 

Oakland Tribune

“Much of the beauty of Smith Reserve is due to the varied groupings of oaks, ecualyptus and pine trees which cover the entire tract. The different shades of green, together with the variety of sizes and shapes of these trees afford an almost endless variety of choice to people in search of unusualsettings for distinctive homes.”

Oakland Tribune

Huge Sales!

In July of 1926, two months after the subdivision was open, the Realty Syndicate reported nearly $250,000 in sales. They also said a bus transportation system would be implemented, connecting with both local and San Francisco electric lines. – Oakland Tribune, July 18, 1928.

“Scenic Beauty”

Oakland Tribune 1926

“The Princely Estate of F.M. “Borax” Smith”

“Selected years ago by F.M. “Borax” Smith as a private estate when thousands of acres of the finest residentioal property in the East Bay were owned by him, Smith Reserve was set apart for eleborate development.”

Oakland Tribune

Smith built Arbor Villa on the site further down on Park Boulevard.

Camp Dimond

In 1919, 25 acres of the Smith Reserve were sold to the Oakland-Piedmont Council of the Boy Scouts of America for a camp. It was called Camp Dimond and was in use from 1919-1948.

In 1948, the Oakland Public School District acquired the land and constructed Joaquin Miller Elementary and Montera Junior High Schools.

Bus Service

In July of 1928, the Realty Syndicate inaugurated a regular bus service into Montclair Highlands and Smith Reserve from the terminal at Moraga Ave and Hampton Road ( now La Salle Ave.) The buses had a regular schedule but alternated their run. It would go to Smith Reserve first on one trip and go to Montclair Highlands first on the next trip.

In Smith Reserve

In September 1928, they broke ground for two new Spanish-style homes, with building costs ranging from $10,000 to $15,000. Architect Hamilton Murdock completed plans for four additional homes, with three more on the drawing board. They embraced various types of architecture. Two of the homes were of the modified Spanish hacienda style, featuring balconies that overlooked the East Bay and the Golden Gate.

One of the homes started in 1928 was the residence of G.O. Thomas. This home was Spanish in style and was to cost $20,000.

The Harry S. Stockman is a nine-room English-type home that cost $25,000 to build. The house offers a panoramic view of the hills, East Bay, and landscaped grounds, located at 5640 Castle Drive in Mountain Gate.

Panorama Home

This home is located at 17 Ascot Court.

Hacienda Monterey

“the brave days of dashing dons and senoritas live again at “Hacienda Monterey” in Smith Reseve.”

Oakland Tribune

Piedmont Pines

In the early 1930s, Smith Reserve was re-subdivided and renamed Piedmont Pines.

New Light Beacon – Giant Eye

More Info:

• Boy Scouts Get Land for Camp – Oakland Tribune Jan 20, 1919
• 300 Acres of Fine Land is Put on Sale – S.F. Examiner May 22, 1926
• Smith Reserve Selling – S.F. Examiner May 29, 1926
• Syndicate to Open Big Estate – Oakland Tribune, May 1926
• Visitors Crowd to New Tract – Oakland Tribune May 30, 1926
• Huge Sales Total for Reserve – Oakland Tribune July 18, 1926
• New Oakland Homes – Oakland Tribune Aug 21, 1926
• Many Homes Building in Smith Reserve – Oakland Tribune Sep 2, 1928
• Smith Reserve Attracts Home Buyers – S.F. Examiner Oct 13, 1928
• Noted Actress Praises Smith Reserve – Oakland Tribune Oct 21, 1928
• New Tract Office for Smith Reserve – S.F. Examiner Oct 28, 1928
• Smith Reserve Romance Told – S.F. Examiner Apr 6, 1929
• Smith Reserve to Have Idora Search Light – Oakland Tribune Jan 27, 1929
• Giant Eye to Be Tested – Oakland Tribune Mar 3, 1929

The End