Dorothy Londagin - A Bit of History

Highlands of Oakland

Posted on May 10, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

The “Highlands of Oakland” went on sale in November of 1925. It is located area of Tunnel Road and behind what is now the Parkwoods Condominiums. This area was burned during the 1991 Oakland Firestorm, and I assume there are no original homes left.

The “Highlands of Oakland” includes the following streets Bristol Drive, Buckingham Blvd, Charing Cross Road, Devin Way Marlborough Terrace, Norfolk Road,, Sherwick Drive and Westmoreland Drive. The area is right on the border of Berkeley. That area is now called the Claremont Hills.

Cheney Photo Advertising c 1925
Showing the “Highlands of Oakland” of in the distance

The Highlands of Oakland faces on Tunnel Road and is 20 minutes from the business district of Oakland. It consisted of 300 large parcels for a low price of $225.

Fred T. Wood Co. developed this beautiful scenic tract high in the hills of Oakland.

Oakland Tribune November 29, 1925

“Highlands of Oakland Entrance to our tract from Tunnel Road. A weekday average of over 6000 automobiles passes this point.”
Cheney Photo Advertising
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard-Gibbon
OMCA H89.64.15

In the months before the opening of the “Highlands of Oakland” force of men had been actively building streets. The winding roads cover some of the most beautiful scenic property in the San Francisco Bay –

**Highlands of Oakland**
The steam shovel, an unfailing sign of progress.
**Cheney Photo Advertising**
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard-Gibbon
OMCA H89.64.15

More pictures of the Highlands of Oakland can be seen here – OMCA

“The Oakland Hills has been compared to the Seven Hills of Rome.”

Oakland Tribune November 29, 1925

“Miss Australia” Beryl Mills visits the “Highlands of Oakland” after touring UC Berkeley.

The End

Forest Park – Homes

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Just a few of the homes of Forest Park – I will update if I find more.

Oakland Tribune May 1927 – 6415 Oakwood Drive

Oakland Tribune Feb 28, 1928
6415 Oakwood Drive

6415 Oakwood Drive – Present Day – Google maps

The Forest Park Home of Benjamin Locket
Built-in 1927
The original address was Box 411 Idlewild Drive
Now 7087 Thornhill Drive

7087 Thornhill Drive Present Day – Google Maps

Forest Park Mansion is known as the Castle

The castle was the home of Col. Leonard Dunkel. Dunkel lived at 6708 Thornhill from about 1932 until his death in 1974.

Oakland Tribune Aug 12, 1928
Located at 6708 Thornhill Drive

6708 Thornhill Drive – Present Day – Google maps

The End

History, Homes

The Boyd Log Cabin

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

This log cabin located across the street from the entrance to Joaquin Miller Park at 3551 Joaquin Miller Road. It was built in 1922 by Thomas”Hal” Boyd.

**3551 Joaquin Miller Road – Back of the cabin**

High above the city on Joaquin Miller Road, he designed and built a log cabin. He used timber that had been cleared close by.

Hal Boyd loved the outdoors so much, so he learned to paint so he could express his love. The log cabin was his studio, where he painted. In 1926 he had an exhibit of his artwork.

During the day, he was employed by the city as a forest ranger to watch over Sequoia Park (now Joaquin Miller Park).

When his parents Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Parker Boyd, lost their home in the Berkeley fire of 1923, he added on to his cabin, giving them a place to live. – Oakland Tribune Jan 06, 1926

**For rent Oakland Tribune Jul 23, 1924**

**Oakland Tribune – 1927**
**Review from his Berkeley Exhibit**

He worked as a special promotion and production manager for the Woodminster Summer Concert Series during the 1945 season.

I found this article from 1955. It says the cabin was destroyed in a fire. I don’t know if this true or case of the wrong address. 3543 Joaquin Miller Road is the house next door. The cabin is still there.

**San Francisco Examiner April 17, 1955**

Sometime in the 1950s, he moved to Carmel, CA – He lived there until he passed away in August of 1990.

In 2014 the cabin sold as a “fixer-upper” for $260,000. REDFIN.Com
Ask Art – Thomas Hal Boyd – Biography
An Architectural Guidebook to San Francisco and the Bay Area – page 277

Homes, Model/Display Homes

Beverly Terrace – The homes and more

Posted on May 7, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Part 2 – Beverly Terrace -The Sunshine Tract –

When Beverly Terrance was put on the market MacArthur Blvd as we know it, was called Hollywood Blvd and was a part of the Lincoln Highway. At this time, the Chevrolet Assembly Plant (now Eastmont Town Center) Fageol Motor Company (later Peterbilt and now Foothill Square) and the Pacific Tread Tire Company.

**Cheney Photo Advertising c 1916**
Groundbreaking Pacific Tread Tire Company
Previously sold on eBay

The M.T. Minney advertised in 1916 – The tracts are “Surrounded by beautiful homes, rolling hills, golf links, and wealthy estates and with the building of such plants as the Chevrolet Automobile Factory, the Pacific Tread Tire Factory, and others. The future value is not a matter of speculation, but an assured fact.”

In about 1947 George A. Sturtevant built the Hollywood Shopping Center on Hollywood Blvd at 107th Ave (10715 MacArthur Blvd) across from the Peterbilt Factory

Well, I didn’t have too much luck finding homes that were advertised in papers. I will keep looking and update when I do.

Frazier Avenue –

Oliver Avenue

**2574 Oliver Avenue – Built-in 1949 – Google maps**

Truman Avenue

**2560 Truman Ave – built-in 1927 – Google maps**

The End

History, Tract or Subdivisions

Beverly Terrace – The Sunshine Tract

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

On the Beautiful Scenic Foothill Blvd. of Oakland Ca

Brochure from the OMCA – c:1916 Gift of Fred E. Reed H4599.44

Panorama from Beverly Terrace

**Cheney Photo Advertising c 1916**
Previously sold on eBay

Beverly Terrace went on sale in 1916. Located at Foothill Blvd and 99th on the border of the Dunsmuir House and Gardens. M.T Minney Company was the exclusive agent and developer. Later, C.W. Boden Company handled sales.

The first lots were being sold at the same time the new Chevrolet Assembly Plant was being built at Foothill Blvd and 73rd (now Eastmont Mall)

They advertised the area as a “The Automobile City Center” two blocks along Foothill Blvd being reserved for business purposes. – Oakland Tribune Mar 26, 1916

Foothill Blvd and Hollywood Blvd (now MacArthur Blvd)

Come out today and view San Francisco form beautiful Beverly Terrace. Unexcelled Climate. No Wind or Fog. $1.00 down payment and $1.00 a week. – Oakland Tribune Aug 1920.

Shepherd Canyon …a bit of history

Posted on May 1, 2019October 18, 2022 by Dorothy Londagin

Have you ever wondered why it is called Shepherd Canyon?

It is named after the Shepherd Family, who owned about 200 acres and lived there from 1875 to the early 1900s.

You can view the location of Shepherd’s land in a Map of the City of Oakland, Berkeley, Oakland & Brooklyn Townships, and Alameda dated 1889, Published by E.P. Vandercook & Co. Real estate agents.

William J Shepherd (1844-1921) emigrated from England in about 1865 with his parents, Thomas and Ellen Shepherd, brothers John and Thomas, and sisters Mary Ann and Elizabeth.

In 1878 William married Mary Rogers (1842-1907). They had six children, William, James, Mary, Ellen, Louise, and Robert. They attended the Hays Canyon School.

LARGE LANDOWNERS OF 1876-BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-OF ALAMEDA
TOWNSHIP-

1895 Directory

Hays School Graduation – 1901

William Shepherd died in San Jose in 1921

Shepherd Pass Road –

A few articles discuss building a road that would run through the Canyon to connect to Skyline using County Road 2457 (now Shepherd Canyon Road.)

Oakland Tribune Daily Knave 1953. Settling a moot point in Oakland nomenclature from William’s nephew.

Shepherd Canyon Freeway – Highway 77

California Highways and Public Works – March -April 1958

“Cal Trans bought up land in Shepherd Canyon with the plan of building highway 77. It was to be an extension of Park Blvd. and would run up the canyon and connect highway 13 with Contra Costa county (much as highway 24 does just two miles north). Fortunately, community activists argued against the plan, and the area was preserved. In 1972, assembly member Ken Meade officially protected the area with AB561. After the downfall of the freeway plan, the Shepherd Canyon Corridor Plan was shaped by volunteers, and now guides the preservation of the canyon.”
Our Oakland Blog

More Info:

Montclair Railroad Trail – Oakland Local Wiki
Friends of the Montclair Railroad Trail – website
Unbuilt Highway 77 – Our Oakland Blog

The End

Uncategorized

Cameron Built

Posted on April 24, 2019August 17, 2022 by Dorothy Londagin

Beautiful Homes in Oakland’s Warm Belt

Fifty “Cameron Built” Modern Spanish Home in the Fruitvale District. Real Spanish Type Stucco. Priced at $5500 to $65.00. Built to CAMERON standards. (whatever that means). Each home contains five rooms and a breakfast room, hardwood floors throughout, a tile bath, a tile sink, a Hoyt water heater, a fireplace for coal, wood, or gas, the latest style electric fixtures, and base plugs in every room. Russwin solid brass hardware with glass knobs. All of the large lots with fences, garages, and cement walks.

The tract was designed by W. A. Doctor and built by H.C. Cameron with furnishings provided by Lachman Brothers. Chas. A. Neal was the exclusive agent for “Cameron Built Homes” on Maple and School Streets. The tract office was located at Pleitner and School streets.

The 1st unit started in 1923 on Maple and School Streets.

The 2nd unit was started in 1925 at Texas and Pleitner Streets.

The first ten homes were completed and ready in November 1923.

By October 1924, twenty-two homes were complete.

The corner of Texas Street and Curran Ave – Google Maps

3039 Texas Street – Present Day Google Maps

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=1MVU72gmB0sRwAZ3BhnZMTR-kKWn4gD4m&w=640&h=480]

The End

Model/Display Homes

26 Ascot Court – Piedmont Pines

Posted on April 20, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Model Home Opens

26 Ascot Court is on a quiet cul-de-sac in Piedmont Pines, and it opened for inspection in October 1935.

The French regency designed home was a joint effort of Frederick L. Confer and his father, F.W. Confer.

The house was built on a sloping lot among the pine trees with a picturesque view of the bay and the Golden Gate. The lot is just under 1/2 acre in size.

The home was sold before it was completed. The buyer was R.F.D. Le Mon of New York, who was planning on making Oakland his home.

R.F.D Le Mon was the developer of the Le Mon Park section of Piedmont Pines.

Mitchell & Austin were the realtors in charge of the property.

Featured in Architectural Magazine

The house featured in an article called ” Homes – They Are Building Them Now” in the October 1936 edition of The Architect and the Engineer.

Frederick L. Confer has designed many homes in the Oakland. Including the Style House, which was discussed in a previous post.

In 1937 he designed another home for R.F.D. Le Mon at 14 Cornwall Court.

Putting down roots in Montclair

In 1944 Admiral Thomas Sprague and his family moved into 26 Ascot Court. But his life in the Navy took off and traveled around the world. In 1951 Sprague retired from the Navy, and they settled in after only living in them for 2 weeks in the 8 years they owned it.

The Sprague Family lived there until about 1963 after Mrs. Sprague passed away.

A Montclair Treasure – March 2019

In March of 2019, the house was put on the market for $ 1,249, 000 and it sold for April of 2019 for $1,300,000.

More Info:

Exceptional Piedmont Pines Home – 26 Ascot Court
A Montclair treasure that feels like a resort 03/2019 – San Jose Mercury
26 Ascot Court – Realtor.Com
Thomas L. Sprague – Wikipedia

The End

Early Montclair, History

Thornhill Park

Posted on April 18, 2019May 11, 2023 by Dorothy Londagin

I wish I had more to share about Thornhill Park. I only learned about it by accident when looking into Judge EM Gibson’s home, who lived on a ranch where Thornhill School is now and over to Aspinwall Drive. He lived there in the late 1880s.

The boundaries of Thornhill Park from REDFIN.com

Thornhill Park went on sale in May 1917. The Reality Syndicate handled the sales at first.

Thornhill Park was an area of small farms of 1/4 acre to 1 acre where you could grow your food or raise chickens, as noted in the ad below.

The home of F.M. Boggs was the home of Judge EM Gibson (more about him later), and after the home of Dr. Mark Emerson, Alameda County Coroner, and now St. Johns Church, is in that location. Approximate location 1707 Gouldin Road

By 1922 they were having a “Liquidation Sale” and trying to “close out” the rest of the tract by selling 1/2 acre lots for 66 cents on the $1.00.

It seems Thornhill Park wasn’t a big seller. I noticed it wasn’t advertised as much as any other tracts in Montclair, like Forest Park, Merriewood, or Fernwood, were.

Later, Phil Hearty, a developer and agent who had an office at 5815 Thornhill for years, took over the sale of the remaining Thornhill Park lot. Now Thornhill Park is part of Forest Park and Montclair Highlands.

Some of the homes in Thornhill Park –

A September 1919 advertisement for “6-Room Bungalow on One Acre in Beautiful Thornhill Park” located at 650 Thorn Road is now 6116 Thornhill Drive. The Langdon family lived there from about 1923- 1945.

**6116 Thornhill Drive about 1948 – from the Forgotten Montclair Group on Facebook**

6138 Thornhill Drive is another of the original homes in Thornhill Park. Back in the 1920s, the address was 670 Thorn Road. The Bullard family lived there until the 1990s.

6022 Thornhill Drive, Col. George, and Edith Mullen also moved there in about 1917 when the address was 570 Thorn Road. The Mullen’s played a significant role in the Montclair Women’s Club and Montclair Presbyterian Church.

For now, this is all I have.

The End

Early Montclair, History

Early Photos of Montclair

Posted on April 2, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Some old photos of the Montclair District of Oakland – all are from the Oakland Public Library History Room.

When I can, I will show you the area now.

I will start off with one of the earliest photos of Montclair that I have seen. This is circa 1886. I hope that there are more like this.

Then

Students and teachers at Hays School in front of the school.
Circa 1886
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

Now

Another photo of the Montclair Firehouse

Storybook firehouse on Moraga Avenue in the Montclair
Circa 1934
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

The photo below is overlooking the area that is now Montclair Elementary School, and in the distance, you can see the intersection of Thornhill and Mountain Blvd and the Women’s Club.

Tracks for the Oakland, Antioch and Eastern Railway
(later Sacramento Northern Railway) in Montclair
Circa 1925
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

Then

LaSalle Avenue looking down the hill towards Mountain Boulevard
Montclair Real estate offices and trolley depot in view.
circa 1927
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

Now

Looking down LaSalle Ave towards HWY 13 – Google maps

The photo below is probably on LaSalle Ave from Mountain Blvd. the small building is where Highway 13 is now.

Sales offices of real estate broker and home builder Cos Williams in Montclair –
circa 1925 Eston Cheney, photographer.
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

The photo below is probably taken from where Highway 13 is now. Off in the distance is the Sacramento Northern Station. Located at what is now the top of LaSalle Ave, as seen in the above photos.

Graded and staked lots in the undeveloped Montclair
Signs for the Cos Williams Montclair sales offices
circa 1925
Eston Cheney, photographer.
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room

Then

Northeast corner of Mountain Boulevard and Medau Place
Fred F. Chopin on Montclair Realty Co.
circa 1950
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

Now

Corner of Mountain Blvd and Medau Place – Google Maps

Then

Sidewalk construction on Mountain Boulevard near Antioch Street Montclair
Circa 1958
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

Now

Then

Construction Scout Road and Mountain Boulevard in the Montclair
circa 1955
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

Now

Scout Road and Mountain Blvd – Google Maps

The photo below is overlooking the area that is now the intersection of Oakwood and Thornhill Drives. Showing houses on Oakwood Drive

Looking out towards the bay from near the ridge-line above the Montclair
Several winding dirt roads and homes in view.
circa 1930
Eston Cheney, photographer
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

The End

The End

Share this:

Like this:

Forest Park Mansion is known as the Castle

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Frazier Avenue –

Oliver Avenue

Truman Avenue

Share this:

Like this:

On the Beautiful Scenic Foothill Blvd. of Oakland Ca

Panorama from Beverly Terrace

Share this:

Like this:

Hays School Graduation – 1901

Shepherd Pass Road –

Shepherd Canyon Freeway – Highway 77

More Info:

The End

Share this:

Like this:

Beautiful Homes in Oakland’s Warm Belt

The End

Share this:

Like this:

Model Home Opens

Featured in Architectural Magazine

Putting down roots in Montclair

A Montclair Treasure – March 2019

More Info:

The End

Share this:

Like this:

Some of the homes in Thornhill Park –

The End

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: