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.
“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
Oakland Tribune Oct 1926
“The Oakland Hills has been compared to the Seven Hills of Rome.”
Oakland Tribune November 29, 1925
Oakland Tribune May 1926
Oakland Tribune June 1926
Oakland Tribune May 1926
Oakland Tribune April 11, 1926
“Miss Australia” Beryl Mills visits the “Highlands of Oakland” after touring UC Berkeley.
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 May 1927 – 6415 Oakwood Drive
Oakland Tribune Feb 28, 1928
6415 Oakwood Drive
6415 Oakwood Drive – Present Day – Google maps6415 Oakwood Drive – Google mapsThe Forest Park Home of Benjamin Locket
Built-in 1927
The original address was Box 411 Idlewild Drive
Now 7087 Thornhill Drive
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
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.
Oakland Tribune Jan 12, 1945
Oakland Tribune Aug 08, 1950
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
Cheney Photo Advertising c 1916
Groundbreaking Pacific Tread Tire Company
Previously sold on eBay
Oakland Tribune 1936
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.”
Oakland Tribune Apr 30, 1916
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
Oakland Tribune
Well, I didn’t have too much luck finding homes that were advertised in papers. I will keep looking and update when I do.
On the Beautiful Scenic Foothill Blvd. of Oakland Ca
Brochure from the OMCA – c:1916 Gift of Fred E. Reed H4599.44
San Francisco Examiner Apr 03, 1916
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.
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)
Cheney Photo Advertising c 1916
Previously sold on eBay
Oakland Tribune Aug 1920
Oakland Tribune Apr 1916
Cheney Photo Advertising c 1916
Previously sold on eBay
Oakland Tribune April 1919
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.
Oakland Tribune Aug 17, 1920
Oakland Tribune May 1924
Oakland Tribune May 1924
Oakland Tribune 1924
Oakland Tribune May 1924
More on Beverly Terrace
Beverly Terrace Motel Match Book Cover – Frank Kelsey
It is named after the Shepherd Family, who owned about 200 acres and lived there from 1875 to the early 1900s.
Oakland Tribune Feb 16, 1927
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.
Oakland Tribune Nov 4, 1876
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.
Oakland Tribune Mar 10, 1875
LARGE LANDOWNERS OF 1876-BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF OAKLAND TOWNSHIP-OF ALAMEDA TOWNSHIP-
SF Examiner Mar 25, 1878
1895 Directory
Robert ShepherdLillie ShepherdRobert Shepherd
Hays School Graduation – 1901
William Shepherd died in San Jose in 1921
Oakland Tribune Jun 7, 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 Jun 15,1896
Oakland Tribune Sept 18, 1897
Oakland Tribune Daily Knave 1953. Settling a moot point in Oakland nomenclature from William’s nephew.
Oakland Tribune Jul 6,1953
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.”
Subdivision of Montclair – the area above Thornhill at Woodhaven and Oakwood Drive, and up to Snake and Colton Blvd. The Forest Park Pool (now Montclair Swim Club) was included with the tract.
Updated Apil 2026
“Wickham Havens, Inc., to Sell Fine Scenic Property on the Highlands Northeast of Beautiful Piedmont” – Oakland Tribune, May 11, 1924
Oakland Tribune May 11, 1924
A residential park that has been “twenty years in the making” is how they described Forest Park when it first opened in May 1924. Frank C. Havens undertook the task of transforming the barren hills into timbered homesites in the early 1900s. He sent his planters up to the canyons, slopes, and ridges and planted young pine, cypress, and eucalyptus. His son Wickham is in charge of selling Forest Park.
Oakland Tribune May 11, 1924
Forest Park consisted of about 750 acres (600 in some articles) of wooded slopes, stretching up to Skyline Blvd. The first unit was about 75 acres and was sold by September 1925, with another 60 acres ready to be put on the market.
Large, roomy lots sold for as low as $575.
Transportation
Oakland Tribune, May 25, 1924
Starting June 1, 1924, the Key System announced a new schedule.
The Montclair bus, which connects to San Francisco trains and local streetcars at 40th and Piedmont, will now run until midnight.
May 24, 1924
A Center of Activity
Oakland Tribune 1924
Big wooded lots some with a view of the bay were selling at a few hundred dollars each. “Investment in Forest Park today means rich profits in the future” – Come out and see the $10,000 pool being built for the residents – Oakland Tribune June 1924.
In Scenic Forest Park
Oakland Tribune June 15, 1924
Elmer F. Morrill lived down the road by Harbord Drive and Moraga since the Late 1880s.
Elmer Morrill wrote a series of articles or ads like this about buying and living in Forest Park.
Oakland Post Enquirer July 2, 1924
Swimming Pool Added
A new $10,000 pool was added for Forest Park residents.
To add to the charm of Forest Park, an open-air swimming pool was added.
They took advantage of the creek running through the property, using a pump to add water to the pool. Thereby assuring plenty of fresh water in the pool.
The pool was divided to provide a shallow pool and an eight-foot depth for diving and swimming. The water was constantly changing in motion. Bath houses and dressing rooms were provided for attractiveness. The pool was reserved for Forest Park residents.
“for the children’s sake” Oakland Tribune May 17, 1924″
For the health and happiness of the children, choose Forest Park as your home. Trees! Sunshine! The invigorating air of the hills! Ferns! Flowers! “You’ll be surprised at what a truly beautiful home park it is.” Oakland Tribune
Hollywood Invests in Forest Park
Mildred Harris, formerly Mrs. Charlie Chaplin, was one of the buyers in Forest Park, according to the Oakland Tribune. I don’t think she ever lived there.
Photos of Forest Park
The corner of Woodhaven Way and Indian Way Cheney Photo Advertising 1925 https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
Present Day Google Maps
Woodhaven Way looking towards the corner of Indian Way Photo by Cheney Advertising 1927 https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
Woodhaven Way looking towards the corner of Indian Way Present Day – Google Maps
From 7000 Thornhill Drive, looking east Cheney Photo Advertising 1925 https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
San Francisco Bay – Forest Park with Oakwood Drive and Thornhill Cheney Photo Advertising c 1927 https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
San Francisco Bay – from Skyline Cheney Photo Advertising c 1927 https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
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.
Oakland Tribune Nov 16, 1924
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.
Oakland Tribune Nov 23, 1923
The first ten homes were completed and ready in November 1923.
By October 1924, twenty-two homes were complete.
Oakland Tribune Nov 16, 1924
The corner of Texas Street and Curran Ave – Google Maps
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
October 1936
The house featured in an article called ” Homes – They Are Building Them Now” in the October 1936 edition of The Architect and the Engineer.
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.
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.
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.
Oakland Tribune May 1917
Oakland Tribune 1922
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
Oakland Tribune April 1922
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 –
Oakland Tribune April 1922
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
Oakland Tribune Sept 24, 1919
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.
