Leona Canyon Fire – Oct 1960

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

On Saturday, October 15, 1960, a brush fire started in the area of Mountain Blvd and Burckhalter Avenue.

The fire bore a striking resemblance to the disastrous 1923 Berkeley fire, which swept from the hills, destroyed 600 buildings, and leaving 4000 homeless.

The fire started at 11am and was under control by 2:30 pm and officially out by 4pm.

More than 200 firemen from the Oakland and San Leandro fought the fire for over four hours with the help of the residents who lived in the area. At times the fire came within feet of homes and rained sparks on their roofs. The damage was held to the loss of two houses, brush and oak trees.

From noon until 2pm the battle was a see-saw affair

Oakland Tribune October 16, 1960

Weekend Warriors

For the residents, it was a battle to the death. They stood of roofs and garages pointing hoses with little pressure behind them at the walls of flame, which roared through the brush and oak trees.

In the hills above, Leona Street flames roared 50 feet into the air and came within that distance of homes. At one point, police advised people to advise the residents on Leona Street, Mountain Blvd, and Mountain View Avenue to evacuate.

Cause Unknown

The cause of the fire was unknown. It ranged over an estimated 1200 acres after it starts near Mountain Blvd and Burckhalter Avenue. It’s course along Mountain Blvd northwesterly to Bermuda Avenue and up the hill towards Skyline Blvd.

There were unconfirmed reports of two boys playing with matches in the quarry area just before the fire started.

At the time, the winds gusted 45 mile-per-hour, which spread the fire across Mountain Blvd. but quick work by firemen and homeowners stopped the fire from spreading in that direction.

More than 100 homes were endangered during the day. Most were in the $30,000 bracket.

The Homes

6384 Mountain Blvd – destroyed
6434 Mountain Blvd – destroyed

The home at 6434 Mountain Blvd belonged to William Crecque, and 6384 Mountain Blvd belonged to Charles Suggs.

Gale Whipped Flames – Oakland Tribune October 16, 1960
Hundreds Battle Huge Fire – Oakland Tribune October 16, 1960
Brush Fire Races Over Oakland Hills – Oakland Tribune October 16, 1960
2 Mile Fire Races over Oakland Hills – SF Examiner October 16, 1960
Homes Razed – SF Examiner October 16, 1960
Fire Ravages Oakland Hills – San Bernardino County October 16, 1960
History of Fires in the Oakland Hills – Oakland Net

The End

Royal E. Towns – Engine Company No. 22

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Royal Edward Towns (February 10, 1899–July 23, 1990) was one of the first African American firefighters in Oakland. He was born in Oakland in 1899.

He joined the OFD in 1927 and was assigned to Engine Company No. 22, a segregated firehouse in West Oakland. The station is located at 3320 Magnolia Street. He helped train many other black applicants to pass the test and was a scoutmaster for a Boy Scout troop that included Sam Golden, who became the first African American fire chief in Oakland.

Royal Towns was the 11th black Oakland fireman hired in 1927. They didn’t employ the 12th for another 15 years.

Royal E. Towns (center) and his colleagues with Engine Company No. 22
of the racially segregated Oakland Fire Department. (1943)

**Royal E. Towns and his colleagues with Engine Company No. 22 of the racially segregated Oakland Fire Department. (1943)**

In 1971 there were only 35 black firefighters.

Towns became the first to be promoted in the OFD. He became a chief operator in 1941 and retired as a lieutenant in 1962.

**Royal Towns on the left with Oakland firefighters standing in front of fire engine no. 22 – Circa 1943**

Royal Towns was instrumental in helping desegregate the fire department. He helped train many other black applicants to pass the fire department test.

Personal Life

Royal Towns was born in Oakland on February 10, 1899, to William Towns and Elizabeth Towns.

Towns married Lucille Dennis on May 26, 1920. Together they had three children. The family lived in various locations within Oakland.

Royal E. Towns died July 23, 1990, and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery

More Photos

The photos are courtesy of the Royal E. Towns papers, MS 26, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California. Photos at Calisphere

**3320 Magnolia Street Oakland – Then and Now**
**It is no longer a Fire Station**

**Rolling Hoses in front of Engine No 22**

**Two firefighters attaching hoses to a fire hydrant, firefighters practicing with fire hoses in the park in the background – on Peralta Street**

Firefighters holding a fire hose in the street next to
Gleason and Company building **and** **today**

**Firefighters are** holding a fire hose in the street next to Gleason and Company building.
Circa 1950s – 34th and Magnolia

**Firefighters are** holding a fire hose in the street next to Gleason and Company building.
Circa 1950s – 34th and Magnolia **and today**

**Looking down Magnolia towards 34th St**

Backyard Fence War

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

In June 1965, the Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) began a “Beautification Program.”

Under the housing authority’s plan, fenced-in yards were to be removed and replaced with turfed areas in the following projects:

According to the tenants of the Peralta Villa housing projects in West Oakland, they first heard about the program when the group of boys from the Alameda County Central Labor Council (funded by a grant from the War on Poverty) started demolishing the backyard fences and flower gardens.

The fences were removed, Housing Authority officials say, as the first step in a program of “beautification”

The tenants were irate because some had paid the OHA for the fences and planted their gardens. No advance notice was given – the workers just started tearing everything up.

They Organize

The War on Poverty ran into a major obstacle this week – the War on Poverty”

Oakland Tribune June 30, 1965
Oakland Tribune June 30, 1965

As a part of the War on Poverty, a work-study program was funded to provide the salaries of University of California students to work with the tenants.

The students worked with the residents of Lockwood Gardens to help them develop a sense of community identity and to learn how to help themselves.

These students encouraged the tenants to form the Lockwood Improvement League.

The War on Poverty funded the program, the same people supporting the “Beautification Program” and removing their fences.

The tenants of Peralta Villas met at Cole School and formed the Peralta Improvement League. Thirty tenants volunteered to create their own “human fence” They wrote up a list of demands and began their fight to save their gardens.

Stop tearing down the remaining fences.
Rebuild the fences already taken down
Reimburse the tenants whose private property was destroyed
Consult the tenants first before doing any further work

The labor for the “Beautification Program” was provided by the Alameda County Labor Council through a grant from the War of Poverty.

Lockwood Gardens

On June 25, 1965, the OHA decided to “beautify” the projects. They started with Lockwood Gardens.

The people of Lockwood Gardens newfound sense of community identity was outraged.

Each thirty-plus units in Lockwood Gardens had a yard, and most had fences. Some had lawns, and some had shrubs and flowers.

The enclosed yards gave the tenants a sense of individuality, security, and pride.

All backyard fences would come out; the lawns, shrubs, and flowers would be dug out. A common turf area without fences would replace private yards.

They had been using my yard as adverstiment for years.”

Jim Sorenson 1137 65th Ave – Oakland Tribune
Jim Sorenson 1137 65th Ave – Oakland Tribune

They were also upset by the lack of warning. They got 200 signatures in favor of keeping the fences.

The Lockwood Gardens tenants were all for beautification but not at the expense of their backyards. One tenant was upset because he had just rebuilt his fence. Not all the tenants of the tenants took care of yards or kept their fences in repair. But they felt the OHA could work it out with those tenants.

The Protests

Beautiful Backyard – July 1965 San Francisco News-Call Bulletin newspaper photograph archive

The tenants of both Peralta Villa and Lockwood Gardens protested and managed to halt or limit the work that could be done at either of the projects.

The OHA laid out a new backyard fence policy.

“Residents must keep their backyards neat and in repair; no new fences could be installed; no satisfactory fence will be torn down now, but eventual elimination of all fenced areas can be expected.”

In August of 1965, the OHA board voted to poll each family of Campbell Village, Lockwood Gardens, and Peralta Villa if they want a fence. Everyone was to be asked, even those who lived on the 2nd floor. There was a total of 916 total units in the three projects.

The tenants were given two choices in the questions asked :

“It appears to be a lower-the-cost- maintenance program”

The Pro-Fence group leader

In July 1966, one tenant reported that all the fences had been removed, and the place looked like a dump. The lawn was dead in most areas as it wasn’t being watered.

More Info

Program Stumbles on Its Own Results – Oakland Tribune June 30, 1965
Battle of Backyard Fences on New Front – Oakland Tribune July 02, 1965
Battle of Backyard Fences – Pg 2 – Oakland Tribune July 02, 1965
Peralta Villa Folk in Fence Victory – Oakland Tribune July 04, 1965
Back Fence War Halts in Standoff – Oakland Tribune July 12, 1965
Back Fence War Halts in Standoff Pg. 2 – Oakland Tribune July 12, 1965
New Tactics Ease Backyard Fence War – Oakland Tribune July 13, 1965
Anti-Poverty War Needs Tighter Control – Oakland Tribune Aug 01, 1965
Pro-Fence Forces Get Poll on the Issue – Oakland Tribune Aug 10, 1965
Battle of the Backyard Fences Pg 1 – Oakland Tribune Sep 01, 1965
Battle of the Backyard Fences Pg 2 – Oakland Tribune Sep 01, 1965
Beautification Fencing Match – Oakland Tribune July 13, 1966

The End

First Framed House in Oakland

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

“Oakland in the days when oaks were here,and the Peralta’s owned all the land.”
Oakland Tribune Feb 1891

The house was located at N. E. corner east Eighth Street and Fourth Avenue, East Oakland.

The city directories list the addres as 404 East Eight Street. It was known in the early years as 202 Jefferson Street.

From the 1873 directory

From the 1884 directory

From the 1912 Directory

In Search of Gold

The lure of the gold drew Moses Chase and his son George to California in 1849. They sailed from Boston aboard the Capitol on a 176-day voyage.

Chase then became the first white man to settle in Oakland, and he first camped at the foot of what is now Broadway in 1849.

“Moses Chase was Oakland’s first authentic American settler”

Oakland Tribune May 1, 1932

After the search for gold did not pan out Chase leased land from the Peralta Family just east of what is now Lake Merritt. The area later became part of the Township of Clinton, later a part of Oakland.

The Cabin

He built a small cabin 14 feet wide and 24 feet from ship timbers, driftwood, and rough boards on this land. He intended to bring his new bride Mary Ellen Clinton back to California from Boston and live in the cabin. But she died before he arrived back home to marry her. Clinton Park was suposebly named in her honor.

In 1856 the front part was added. This would become the main section of the house. Over the years, other alternations and additions expanded the cabin into a two-story building of 17 rooms during its 86-year occupancy by Chase, his son, and his grandson.

The original section, after standing intact until 1936 when it was cut in half and became the laundry room.

Bancroft Library – Jesse Brown Cooke Scrapbook
http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/tf7k40107n
BANC PIC 1996.003:Volume 27:089–fALB
I0051808a.tif

As you see in the photograph, the house is in first-class condition today, October 5, 1928. The photo was taken by Jesse B. Cook and Joseph A. Murray.

Bancroft Library – Jesse Brown Cooke Scrapbook -ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/tf3f59p0hs
BANC PIC 1996.003:Volume 27:090

See: While Oakland was Finding its Place on the Map of the World – Oakland Tribune May 01, 1932

First Settler Laid to Rest

The Oldest Inhabitant has Gone to Rest

Chase spent the later years of his life a near recluse on Bay Farm Island, but he died in the family home on February 17, 1891, at the age of 84. He was laid to rest at the Mountain View Cemetery.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/19073809/moses-chas

A Wedding Takes Place

In May of 1925, Albert B. Chase was married in the same room he was born 45 years before. Albert was the son of George Chase (1841-1919), the only child of Moses Chase.

At the time of his wedding, Albert was the only surviving member of the Chase family. His older brother died in 1924, and his sister in 1925.

**Old Oakland Scene of a Marriage – Oakland Tribune May 2, 1925**

Oakland 80th Birthday

In honor of Oakland’s 80th Birthday in May of 1932, the Clinton Improvement Association erected a sign on the home, noting its historical significance. Oakland Tribune Apr 07, 1932

Razing the Old Home

Through three generations, the old home continued at the family residence until, in 1936, Albert died. Albert’s widow sold the house to Guido Pacini, a trucking contractor. Pacini graded the adjacent lot for his trucking business. The old home was completely renovated and was used as a residence for Picini’s daughter and her husband.

In 1946 workman from the Symon Brothers Wrecking Company started demolishing the “old Chase home,” a small rear portion of which was the original cabin that Chase built-in 1849.

Cook Brothers Equipment Distributors began a 10-year lease of the old homestead after clearing it. Oakland Tribune July 02, 1946

**Showing the 404 East 8th Street in 1951 – Sanborn Map**

More info:

Oakland Local Wiki – Moses Chase
Moses Chase and the First House in Oakland – Oakland Tribune June 27, 1927
While Oakland was Finding its Place on the Map of the World – Oakland Tribune May 1, 1932
Through the Golden Gate – Moses Chase –Oakland Tribune May 24, 1943
Oakland’s 100th Birthday – Tied to Chase – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1949

The End

Montclair Realty – Pioneers of the Hills

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

In 1924 brothers Paul and Herman Pause formed Montclair Realty Co. Before that, Paul worked for the Realty Syndicate.

The business district of Montclair looked like this when Montclair Realty was formed.

**Graded and staked lots in the undeveloped Montclair district’s downtown in Oakland, California Eston Cheney, photographer. from the Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room. Circa 1925**

Cos. Williams, a builder, was the only other business then.

Sales offices of real estate broker and home builder Cos Williams in the undeveloped Montclair district’s downtown in Oakland, California. Graded and staked lots are visible in the foreground. DATE: [circa 1925] from the Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

In 1932 they moved into their new offices at 6466 Moraga Avenue. The building was occupied by George B. Brooks, another real estate agent. The building is still there.

Montclair Highlands

“In All the World No View Like his”
Oakland Tribune 1928

In 1928 Montclair Realty was the developer and selling agent for a new tract behind the business district. One of the first homes was the “Model View Home,” built-in 1928.

10th Anniversary

In 1934 Montclair Realty celebrated its 10th Anniversary. During this time, they specialized in developing the rapidly growing hill area. Some tracts they worked on were Montclair Highlands, Montclair Acres, Montclair Estates, and Fernwood.

That year they opened Piedmont Uplands, a new tract along Moraga Avenue at Maxwelton Road. The Henry Maxwell family owned the land and ran a Maxwelton Farm dairy. Before that, it was the picnic grounds of Blair Park.

13th Anniversary

Montclair Realty celebrated its thirteenth Anniversary by moving into spacious new offices in Montclair Realty Building on Moraga Avenue. Harvey Slocombe designed the new two-story building in an authentic Spanish style, complete with a patio and tile roof. Howard Gilkey developed the garden.

**New Montclair Realty Office – Oakland Tribune 1937**

The unusual feature of the new building was the penthouse display home on the second floor. The living room – reception room had a Homebuilder’s Library, where prospective home builders can look through all the latest books and magazines on home building.

Dramatically different the Pent House Model home brings to you “Ideas of 1938” in colorful interior finishes and modern furnishings.
Oakland Tribune 1937

Silver Anniversary – 1949

Paul Pause was a founding member of the Montclair Improvement Club. He was a member of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce residential committee and its highway and transportation committee. He was also a member of the Commonwealth Club.

Death and New Owners

Paul Pause died in 1950. He was an important figure in the development of Montclair since the beginning.

Lucille Chasnoff purchased the company after Pause died in 1950. and John Mallett purchased the company from her in 1962.

New Office in 1954-56

In 1954 they moved into the newly built Montclair Professional Building at 2084 Mountain Blvd. The Montclair Realty offices were on the ground floor; they owned the building.

It was the only office building that had off-street parking. The offices featured gold walls with charcoal woodwork with built-in desks and partitions.

Out with the Old

The old Montclair Realty building was demolished in 1961 to make room for expanding the Standard Station next door.

In 2019 a new building replaced the old and outdated Montclair Realty Office Building.

The new building.

**From Forgotten Montclair Facebook Group 2022**

Different Logos –

Free Map

More Info:

Great Activity in the Hills – Oakland Tribune June 17, 1934
Pause named Club Head – Oakland Tribune Dec 13, 1936
Highlights of Real Estate Development – Oakland Tribune July 18, 1937
Realty Firm In New Home – Oakland Tribune Jul 25, 1937

The End

Rock Concerts – Montclair Park

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Updated April 2024

**Montclair Recreation Center** – **6300 Moraga Ave**

In 1970, the Montclair Recreation Center held bi-weekly rock concerts, which were co-sponsored by the Center and the Montclair Junior Women’s Club.

The bands were not obscure but rather the groups that headlined local clubs or played third on the bill at the Fillmore West.

Admission was a $1.00 to $1.50

The concerts suddenly stopped in the middle of 1972. Not sure why.

**From the Forgotten Montclair Group on Facebook**

I found the advertisements in the Oakland Tribune’s “Wednesday Teen Age” and “What’s doing…where…” sections.

The Concerts lasted until the fall of 1972.

Sample section from the Oakland Tribune

I loved this song and never knew who the artist was. Enjoy!

The Band Malo –

I commend the leaders of the recreation center for doing this. I can imagine a lot of people in Montclair did not like the idea (see below)

Community Response

Brutality Charges against Oakland Police

Lots of Memories of the Concerts

Speaking of memories, many people remember more prominently named bands playing there. I don’t doubt them; I just haven’t found any concert information.

I was alive and living in Montclair during this timeframe. But I have no memory of the concerts. I know I would have enjoyed going to them.

Found Tower of Power!

The Concerts

This is not a complete list.

September 06, 1968 – Two Teen Rock Groups
June 13, 1970 – Artichoke Jones – Summer Festival
June 26, 1970 – Fox Glove & Leviticus – Montera Jr High
July 03, 1970 – Backwater Rising – Montera Jr High
August 09, 1970- Sunny Street *
August 15, 1970 – Loveship *
August 22, 1970 – Cookin Mama and Rags *
August 30, 1970 – Loveship * back again
September 05, 1970 – Crystal Garden *
September 19, 1970 – The Tyde *
October 03, 1970 – Frontier Constabulary
October 10, 1970 – The Fog *
October 24, 1970 – AB Skhy *
October 31, 1970 – Loading Zone featuring Linda Tillery *
November 07, 1970 – Loading Zone featuring Linda Tillery *
November 14, 1970 – Loveship *
November 21, 1970 – Beggar’s Opera *
November 28, 1970 – Joy of Cooking
December 5, 1970 – Little John featuring John Hart*
December 12, 1970 – Tower of Power
New Year’s Eve – Little John featuring John Hart*
January ??, 1971 – Barry Melton and the Fish
January 09, 1971 – Loading Zone
January 16. 1971 – Tower of Power *
January 23, 1971 – Commander Cody *
January 23, 1971 – Boz Scaggs
January 30, 1971 – Joy of Cooking *
February 06, 1971 – The Tyde *
February 11, 1971 – Loading Zone featuring Linda Tillery – Skyline High
February 13, 1971 – Little John featuring John Hart *
February 20, 1971 – John Hooker Group *
February 27, 1971 – Cat Mother *
March 13, 1971 – Full Moon (formerly The Womb)
March 20, 1971 – Loading Zone featuring Linda Tillery
March 27, 1971 – Pipe *
April 17, 1971 – Little John featuring John Hart *
April 24, 1971 – Western Addition with John Celona
May 01, 1971 – Ice Band or Stoneground *
May 08, 1971 – Barry Melton and The Fish *
May 15, 1971 – Cat Mother*
May 22, 1971 – Loading Zone with Linda Tillery *
May 29, 1971 – Gold *
June 06, 1971 – John Lee Hooker
June 12, 1971 – Malo – with Jorge Santana, brother of Carlos*
June 23, 1971 – Liquid Heart
June 26, 1971 – Fox Glove & Leviticus – Montera Jr High
July 03, 1971 – Sopwith Camel
July 10, 1971 – Clover *
July 17, 1971 – Little John featuring John Hart “Montclair Favorite.“
July 24, 1971 – Gold
September ??, 1971 – Crystal Garden *
September 19, 1971 – Loading Zone
October 02, 1971 – Barry Melton and The Fish
October 16, 1971 – Full Moon *
October 23, 1971 – Jabo Stokes
November 6, 1971 – Cat Mother
November 13, 1971 – Grootna
November 20, 1971 – Loading Zone – featuring Linda Tillery
December 04, 1971 – Malo – with Jorge Santana, brother of Carlos*
January 19, 1972 – Gold
February 19, 1972 – Little Sister, Gunn, and Thunderclap
March 04, 1972 – Little John featuring John Hart
April 08, 1972 – Loading Zone –
September 30, 1972 – Anglo Saxon – with John Hart, formerly of Little John
November ?? 1972 – Gold

*Green Death with Kurt Steele did the light show

From the Forgotten Montclair Group – “Their light shows were mostly two shallow glass bowls, placed on an overhead projector. The bottom bowl held oil and food coloring, and the top bowl fitted inside it, allowing them to squish the colors around in kaleidoscopic patterns. They set up their equipment and chairs on a table in the back of the room where the band played. Despite the low-tech process, their light shows were very fresh and added a lot to the atmosphere of the rock concerts.”

More Info:

Rock Archaeology 101 – Montclair Recreation Center

The End

1937 Fire – Upper Broadway Terrace

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

A brush and timber fire that destroyed at least four Oakland hill area homes and menaced at least 50 more burned in the area of Pine Needle Road and Upper Broadway Terrace and came close to the buildings of the new Broadway Low-Level tunnel (Caldicott Tunnel). This was on September 25, 1937.

The photo below was taken at the hight of the blaze, but before the fire jumped Tunnel Road.

Families Flee

Scores of families fled their homes in fear; others who sought to save the belongings were ordered out by fireman.

**Mrs. G.H. Cowles with Eunice and Hazel Cowles**
**of 6142 Pinewood Road**

**The W.R Powers Family lost their home at 6142 Ruthland Road.**

**Edith Thorpe 6, holds her pet Rhode Island Red Hen**

Burned Area

The fire started close to the home of Police inspector Jesse Jackson at 6019 Pinewood Road at around 3 pm on September 25, 1937. During the first six hours, the fire had burned across the western edge of the Pinehaven district up Broadway Terrace to a point just below Skyline Blvd. and back down another canyon to the west.

The fire chief estimated the fire burned over 9 square miles of rolling hill county.

Hose lines Burned

Several hundred feet of hose laid across brushy areas to link the pumps to the fire area were destroyed by flames. Lack of water was a problem, they had used up all the water in reservoirs in the immediate area.

Eyewitness Accounts

C.F. Humphrey – 13025 Broadway Terrace

Mrs. Marguerite Risley – 6493 Farralone Way

Homes Lost or Damaged

15030 Broadway Terrace – Ted Gould – gone
16060 Broadway Terrace – S. Albright – damaged
17014 Broadway Terrace – Ed Pohley – damaged
17044 Broadway Terrace – S. Sund – damaged
17050 Broadway Terrace – S.C. Purser – damaged
6539 Gwin Road – V. Sagues -damaged
6142 Pinewood Road – G. H. Cowles – damaged
6142 Ruthland – W.R. Powers – gone

Fire Started –

The fire started when a “backyard bonfire” got out of control.

1929 Fire

There was a fire in November of 1929 in just about the same area. Some of the same homes were damaged then. The W.R. Powers home was saved in 1929 only to burn down in 1937.

1933 Fire

There was a fire in 1933 with the loss of one home at 7135 Pinehaven Road.

1930 Directory

The End

1933 – Oakland Hills Fire

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

The fire started in the Redwood Road area and raced through to Sequoia Park (Joaquin Miller Park), down Dimond Canyon, and spread into Shepard Canyon.

The fire, which began around 7 am on November 13, 1933, swept through the East Oakland Hills, burning a man to death, injuring two others, and destroying at least a dozen homes. It was under control by 2 pm.

The municipal zoo in Sequoia Park (now Joaquin Miller Park) was surrounded by a ring of flames as the fire approached the animal cages. The zookeepers were preparing to shoot the animals, but the fire stopped just 100 yards from the cages.

‘The Abbey’ is Spared

The flames spread through the homestead of the late Joaquin Miller and destroyed the home of Miller’s late mother, which was occupied by his widow, who was 83. Many of her treasures were lost, but she escaped. The historic Abbey was saved!

Shift in Wind

At 9:20 a.m., the fire approached the Sequoia Riding Club at 2923 Mountain Blvd. The stable grooms led the frightened horses through the smoke to safety, and a shift in the wind saved the stables.

Mrs. Abbie L. Miller, widow of Joaquin Miller, with her niece
Carmela Ward and a couple of the 60 horses she rescued.
Juanita Miller helping fight the fire

Removing the body of Wm J. La Marr, who burned to death
All that was left of one hillside home
Schoolboys who went to class to fight the flames along Mountain Blvd

List of Homes

More Info:

Fighting the East Oakland Fire – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
When a Bush Fire Swept Over Oakland Hills – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
Hill Forest Blaze Driven in Residence Area By High Wind. – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
200 Animals at City Zoo Crazed by Smoke – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933

The End

The Pines

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

“The Pines” was the beautiful home and surrounding gardens of Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Bowles. Built-in 1910, it stood at No. 2 Bowling Drive in what is now Rockridge (I guess).

**From the map/brochure** **Rock Ridge properties, Oakland, California**

Land Purchased

In 1909, Philip E. Bowles purchased 51 acres (58 acres in some publications) of land in “Claremont Hills,” adjoining the Horatio P Livermore Homestead. Bowles was the president of the First National Bank of Oakland and a Regent of the University of California from 1911-22.

He signed a contract to erect a residence that would cost $31,000. The Architect was L.B. Dutton. He engaged an expert landscaper who designed the estate’s grounds by following Bowles’s plans.

The home, built in the Italian Villa style, had twenty-two rooms and a full basement. It had six master bedrooms, dressing rooms, five bathrooms, three sleeping porches, a library, a drawing room, and a conservatory.

The house and grounds had a fascinating view of the bay and surrounding country.

Inside the home

Gardens

Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Bowles on a garden path at The Pines

The home was surrounded by a veritable forest filled with quail and dotted with miniature lakes stocked with large rainbow trout and a well-stocked bass pond.

There was a Japanese Tea garden with pools containing rare goldfish, golden carp, and unusual aquatic plants.

There was also a tennis court, a swimming pool, an oversized garage, and a horse stable with a trotting park.

Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Bowles on a garden path at The Pines

Mr. Bowles purchased from all over the world; he bought the best. The rhododendrons were especially lovely.

Architecture & Engineer of California Magazine issue featured the home. It states the architect was L.B. Dutton. Architecture & Engineer of California Jan 1911, pg. 204 –

High Society at The Pines

Many dances and social events were held at The Pines.

In 1912, the Bowles’s daughter Amy married Hiram Johnson Jr., the son of Governor Hiram W. Johnson. The wedding was held at The Pines.

Death of P.E. Bowles

On January 20, 1926, Philip Bowles died at 67.

Possible Park

Mayor Davie urged the city of Oakland Park board to purchase land and a home for $700,000for a public playground or park. That fell through.

Claremont Pines

In May of 1927, a year after Philip Bowles died, Mrs. Bowles sold the entire estate to a group of men from southern California, and they hired the York Company, Inc. of Oakland to handle development and sales.

The York company subdivided the land and called it Claremont Pines, combining the name of the nearby district with the name of the Bowles Estate.

In 1927 or 1928, Andrew Williams of the Andrew Williams Store, a local grocery chain, purchased the home at No. 2 Bowling Drive.

After spending two years remodeling and adding new furniture, including expensive Persian rugs, Williams put the home up for sale in 1932

The Wrecking Ball

In 1938, the main house was destroyed by the wrecking and sold off piece by piece—a sad ending to a home that was just 28 years old.

Bowles Hall – UC Berkeley

In 1928, in memory of her husband, Mrs. Bowles donated $250,000 to the University of California to build a dormitory for men, wholly and appropriately furnished, on or near the University campus in Berkeley. It is known as Bowles Hall.

Announcement of Mary Bowles’ Gift: March 19, 1927

Caretaker House

A caretaker house was located at the front gates of the estate. It stood at the portal through the high metal-spiked fence around the estate. The five-room bungalow, which formally served as the guardian of the estate, was used as the tract office from 1928- 1948.

It was at this little cottage where the streetcar once stopped.

In 1948, the cottage was sold to Charles Ray Jr. of 1028 85th Avenue, and he placed it on the lot next to his.

More Info:

Horse Show – Oakland Tribune July 27, 1924
The Pines sold – Oakland Tribune May 03, 1927
Magnificent Estate Placed on Market – Oakland Tribune October 09, 1927
Claremont Pines Opens – SF Examiner October 08, 1927
Work on Claremont Pines Tract – Oakland Tribune October 30, 1927
Last of the Bowles Home Moved – Oakland Tribune July 18, 1948
Claremont Pines: An Estate Transformed – OHA Spring 2013

Photographs

Views of “The Pines” Estate – by Gabriel Moulin, ca. 1927
Claremont Pines – By Cheney Photo Advertising

The End

Melrose Highlands- Part 2

Posted on July 13, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

In 1935 Phil Heraty, a local real estate agent and developer, took over the sales of Melrose Highlands.

Colonial Village – 1935

A type of English brick was used on the exterior of a few houses that were built in 1935.

**Oakland Tribune June 1935** – **7773 Greenly Drive**

**Oakland Tribune July 1935** – **7765 Greenly Drive**

Both the houses are on Greenly Drive, they are side by side at 7765 and 7775.

Heraty to Build 100 Homes – Jan 1940

Cape Cod Colonial – 7776 Sterling Drive

Six generous sized rooms with light-filled upstairs bedrooms. Downstairs has the living room, dinette, and kitchen. Detached Garage. Price $4150.00.

The present-day photo below. I see they made a room out of the garage.

7225 Sterling Drive – 1940

Heraty Homes – Greenly Drive

Forty new -home owners have moved into Melrose Highlands since his organization became the selling agents
said Heraty – Oakland Tribune Sept 08, 1940
said Heraty – Oakland Tribune Sept 08, 1940

New Economy Home at 8108 Greenly Drive – 1940

Building Progress in Melrose Highlands

Below is about 8032 Fontaine Street, which was lost due to the construction of the freeway.

Beautiful Melrose Highlands – 1941

In May of 1941, a furnished “Model Home’ opened in Melrose Highlands at 8033 Fontaine Street.

Built to Order in Melrose Highlands – 1941

A Garden Showplace on Greenly Drive

The home of R.E. Derby on 7757 Greenly Drive was featured in the garden section on the Oakland Tribune in July of 1939.

their principal concern was, what to do with the “mud hole” in the backyard.
R.E Derby – July 16, 1939
R.E Derby – July 16, 1939

Weekend Warriors

Cause Unknown

The Homes

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Personal Life

More Photos

More on Royal E. Towns

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They Organize

Lockwood Gardens

The Protests

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In Search of Gold

The Cabin

First Settler Laid to Rest

A Wedding Takes Place

Oakland 80th Birthday

Razing the Old Home

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Montclair Highlands

10th Anniversary

13th Anniversary

Silver Anniversary – 1949

Death and New Owners

New Office in 1954-56

Out with the Old

Different Logos –

Free Map

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Sample section from the Oakland Tribune

Community Response

Brutality Charges against Oakland Police

Lots of Memories of the Concerts

Found Tower of Power!

The Concerts

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Families Flee

Burned Area

Hose lines Burned

Eyewitness Accounts

Homes Lost or Damaged

Fire Started –

1929 Fire

1933 Fire

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‘The Abbey’ is Spared

Shift in Wind

List of Homes

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Land Purchased

Inside the home

Gardens

High Society at The Pines

Death of P.E. Bowles

Possible Park

Claremont Pines

The Wrecking Ball

Bowles Hall – UC Berkeley