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.
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
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.
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.
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
The modern features include a Kohler Electric Sink, Peerless Kitchen cabinets, and Quartz lite glass in the windows, known as ultraviolet ray glass, which was set in Fenestra steel sashes.
Screen Test
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.
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.
On the Market
In 1936, Paul Pause announced that the home was again open for inspection.
The cost to build is $13,500, and it was being sold for $8,750.
For sale in 1954 for $17,500.
Again in 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
The Truitt family resided there from approximately 1945 to 1980. George Truitt was part-owner of Truitt & White Lumber in Berkeley, CA
Last sold in 2017 for $1,682 619 – 1989 Asilomar Drive
Nearby Homes
The home of James Landon, located at 2057 Asilomar Ave, was built in 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.
