The Medau Ranch and Dairy

In 1857, J.H. Medau purchased approximately 500 acres in what was then Piedmont, or hills in the back of Piedmont. He bought the property as a ranch. Some of the land was priced at $30.00 an acre, and “the poorer land,” located in East Piedmont, sold for $10.00 an acre. Oakland Tribune 1916

The ranch was located in what is now the Montclair Business District, Montclair Park, and part of Piedmont.

J H Medau -Thorn Road – Oakland Directory 1898

When Medau first bought the land, it was covered with weeds, grass, flowers, and rattlesnakes—lots of rattlesnakes! He spent the next 36 years cultivating the land to be one of the finest of its kind at the time.

Ad for Medau Dairy Alameda County: The Eden of the Pacific 1898

The Medau’s home was located in what is now Montclair Park. Beautiful gardens surrounded it and it was a stone’s throw from the pond, stocked with German Carp and Trout.

His herd consisted of forty-five cows. He also grew grain and hay on the ranch.

“famous Medau Ranch”

Oakland Tribune Oct 1916
Undated photo of the Medau Family in front of their home on the ranch. (Courtesy of Oakland History Room)

He was a school trustee for Fruitvale and Hays Districts for over twenty years, and some of his children attended the Hays School.

May Day Festival

In 1879, Medau hosted a May Day Festival and invited the children from Fruit Vale School.

Scenic Park

In 1897, Medau offered to sell his land (476 acres) to the city of Oakland for a park.

The land is less than four miles from city hall. The county road to Contra Costa County passes through nearly the entire length of his land.

Oakland Tribune November 22, 1897

From Valley to Hillside

The lower part of the ranch comprises stretches of level and slightly rolling land; to the northward, the land extends up the sloping hillsides to the crest of the ridge, where the dividing line between Alameda and Contra Costa counties is located. The highest peak of the land is 1,300 feet above sea level.

Oakland Tribune November 22, 1897

The views from the highest point are unrivaled. A sweeping of the Contra Costa, San Joaquin, and Sacramento Valleys. Both Mount Diablo and Hamilton can be seen.

Many Natural Advantages

Oakland Tribune November 22, 1897

A mountain stream flows along the eastern border. Near the Meadau residence, a natural lake (the pond in Montclair Park) of an acre in extent is fed by springs from the adjacent hillside.

He said he would sell the 476 acres for $210 an acre.

For Sale

Oakland Enquirer July 9, 1901

In 1901, Medau sold his ranch for $95,000 to the Reality Syndicate.

He retired to a new home he had built on East 12th near 2nd Avenue, where he lived for the rest of his life.

Oakland Tribune October 25, 1905

The Medau Family

John Heinrich “Henry” Medau (1831-1918) was born in Holstein, Germany, emigrated to the United States in 1851, and became a naturalized citizen in 1857.  

San Francisco

When Medau was sixteen and still in Germany, he apprenticed to learn the trade of a tobacconist, and he did that for about three years. In 1851, he and his brothers set sail for the United States, first staying in New York and then heading to San Francisco. He first took any available jobs, then in 1853, he purchased a cigar store and worked it for several years with his brothers. He retained interest in the store until 1864.

In June 1860, he married Regina Raubinger (1860-1916), also born in Germany.  They had the following children, all born at the ranch.

  • Edward 1863-1918
  • Pauline 1865-1930
  • Matilda 1866-1954
  • Adelphine 1868-1958
  • Theodore A. 1870-1953
  • Edith S. 1872-1962
  • Henry 1874-1874
  • Louisa 1875-1954
  • Henry O. 1880-1970
California Daily Alta June 12, 1860

Regina Raubinger came to San Francisco at 18, married Medau a year later, and moved across the bay to Oakland.

Oakland Tribune June 12, 1910

Medau passed away in 1918; his wife preceded him in 1916.

Henry Medau, the last remaining son, died in 1970.

Oakland Tribune Aug 31, 1970

From the Montclarion

From Henry Medau – Printed in the Montcarion April 1960

In 1963, Henry Medau, one of Medau’s sons, was interviewed by the Montclairion. He loaned the above photo for use in the article. This is the same ad as the photo at the beginning of this post.

  • Top- left – the family orchard
  • Top- middle – cows grazing in hills.
  • Top- right – a corner of the pond with cedars in the background
  • Middle-left Medau family home, which faced Moraga Road.
  • Middle- some of the dairy buildings
  • Middle-right, another view of the Medau home.
  • Bottom-left view of the yard around the home
  • Bottom-middle the pond created by springs a view of “Indian hill.”
  • Bottom-right Moraga Road is lined with eucalyptus.
The Montclarion April 16, 1960
The Montclarion April 16, 1960

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