“One month before his death, Charles Kruse was leaving for the county hospital, which he never expected to return.” Kruse gave G.W. Brusseau a package with a few intimate belongings, the key to his house, and the note.
Oakland, March 15 (?)
“This is my gift of Deed all is in my possession to Mr. G.W. Brusseau after my daet”
“Chas. Kruse”
Only Man He Trusted
According to Brusseau’s attorney, Kruse only had one trusted friend. Kruse helped care for the hermit for 13 years. He never had the money to pay Brusseau for his labor but intended to see that he ultimately received his property.
Brusseau saved the 10-acre plot from being sold for taxes and paid off the mortgage. It was claimed.
In March of 1923, Kruse applied for admission to the county infirmary on the grounds he was penniless. He had cancer.
Oakland Tribune 1923
Following Kruse’s death at the county hospital, preparations were being made to bury him in the potter’s field. Brusseau stepped in and said he would pay for his funeral.
Mountain View Cemetery – plot 48 Photo by REHM – Find A Grave
Brusseau purchased a plot in Mountain View cemetery that bordered his property.
He could see the grave from his porch.
Oakland Tribune 1923
Fight for Estate
Judge George Samuels was informed of the case when Brusseau filed a petition for probate of the paper as the last will, Kruse.
Because the completed date was omitted, Judge Samuels refused probate and granted administration letters to Albert E. Hill, a Public Administrator.
Thrown Out As A Will Upheld As Deed
In June 1923, a petition was submitted to the Almeda superior to record the scrap of paper as a gift deed. In this claim, Judge James G. Quinn decided that Kruse never intended the piece of paper as a will but intended to constitute an immediate conveyance of land as a deed.
In the meantime, Brusseau had lost a third suit filed against the estate for reimbursement for his unpaid labor.
The Recorder 1927
The public administrator appealed to the California Supreme Court for a decision on the title to the property.
Dying Hermit’s Note Valid
In May 1927, the Supreme Court affirmed Judge JG Quinn’s decision that the note given to Brusseau from Kruse constituted a deed to the 10 acres of land.
Charles Kruse owned and lived on 10 acres of land in Hayes Canyon since 1888.
Oakland Tribune 1888
The property bordered William J. Dingee’s land, and in 1888, Dingee sued Kruse for $93 to cover the cost of a fence.
Kruse peddled flowers to florists’ shops in the Eastbay for many years.
After his death, it was discovered that he owned one of the largest nurseries in Alameda County. The nursery and the tiny shack where he lived were hidden behind a high fence and tall cypress hedges.
Oakland Tribune Apr 10, 1923
The 10 acres were valued at more than $10,000 in 1923.
In 1898, George Washington Brusseau purchased a 2-acre lot at 3200 Edith Street (now 4901 Harbord Drive).
There was a temporary station at the corner of Moraga and Hampton (now La Salle). Local builder Cos Williams, a local builder, donated the use of the land.
An average day
Report at 9 am – They would report for duty at the station and 13th and Hopkins (now MacArthur) and drive the hook and ladder to Montclair. They did all their cooking on an outdoor camp stove
Off at 7 pm – At the end, they would pile onto the truck again and drive down the hill.
Lieutenant F.H. Waldron was the commanding officer.
L.W. Parks – driver
E.E. Terrell – driver
F.W. Cochran – hoseman
C.A. Stone
They fought two fires on their first day.
Engine Company No. 24
In June 1926, $11,000 was appropriated for a new firehouse in Montclair. In December 1926, the city purchased the land from the school department for $4,500. The final construction cost was $18,900.
Original Blueprints – Eldred E. Edwards 1927
Construction of the new firehouse began in early 1927, and Fire Commissioner Colburn officially accepted it in August 1927.
Eldred E. Edwards of the Oakland Public Works Department drew up plans.
The architecture is primarily Old English. The construction method was unique among firehouses then, as it was precast with cement molded on the ground. All the plumbing fixtures, water pipes, and electrical wire conduits were cast in cement.
Storybook-style firehouse in the Montclair district of Oakland, California. 1928 Ohrphoto. Fire dept.006.
The roof consisted of 100 curved slabs of concrete set in grooved beams and held in place with slotted bolts.
Doubled copper strips run along the ridges, forming decorative motifs at the gable peaks. These decorations simulate fire, which follows along the peaked roofline and leaps into flames and gable corners. The copper has been painted white.
Work was done in 1934 as part of the WPA. Oakland Tribune 1934
A firetruck for fighting hill fires is on view in the foreground. 1934, Ohrphoto.districts.031.
Fire Captain Killed in the Line of Duty
Fire Captain Joseph F. Pimentel was killed, and three firemen were injured when their fire truck skidded out of control at the corner of Taurus and Broadway Terrace. Pimentel was pinned against a tree.
The fire truck was responding to a small blaze at Otto R. Johnson’s home at 6356 Crown Avenue.
January 22, 1942
Oakland Tribune January 22, 1942
The injured firefighters were Patrick S. Doyle, John Baratini, and Ray O. Wells.
Oakland Tribune January 22, 1946
Oakland’s Best-Decorated Firehouse
In 1951, Engine Company No. 24 was awarded the first prize of $500.00 for being Oakland’s best-decorated firehouse. The Oakland Tribune also awarded the firehouse a perpetual trophy installed in the house.
The firehouse was an old church scene, with a “Surrey with a Fringe on Top” arriving. Animated choir boys, accompanied by an old pump organ, are shown singing Christmas carols.
Christmas Chapel with Choir –1951
In 1952, they erected an old-time country store with a pot-bellied stove, family photographs, and animated figures. Inside, a clerk shows a blushing customer, a lady, a pair of “long john” underwear. Nearby is a blacksmith shop. There was a large holly wreath on the front of the firehouse.
Oakland Tribune, December 1952
In 1953, the firehouse was decorated as a church with a choir loft and organ. The S.F. Examiner awarded the house a special merit award.
Oakland Tribune December 18, 1953
Montclair Fires and Such
Montclarion 1955
Oakland Tribune 1953
Montclarion 1957 on the 30th Anniversary
Teddy of Engine No. 24
Oakland Tribune
Earthquake Hazard – 1960s
The Hayward Fault runs right down the middle of Moraga Avenue in front of the firehouse.
Because of that, the firehouse was determined to be an earthquake hazard and could not be repaired. The city hired Anderson, Simonds, Dusel, and Campini to provide architectural services for a new firehouse.
Oakland Tribune 1962
The city was prepared to tear down the Montclair firehouse and build a new one for $165,000. After an outside firm determined it was indeed unsafe to that day’s standards.
Oakland Tribune December 27, 1963
City Delays Replacing Firehouse
In October 1962, Oakland’s City Council held up the money to build a new firehouse and wondered if it could be used to “repair” it instead.
The firehouse is called ” the country club of the city” and “if it is unsafe so’s my house.”
Councilmember 1962
There was a dispute over the city manager’s report that the firehouse was damaged enough during a recent earthquake (??)to make it a hazard to its occupants. One architect said it could be repaired at little expense with some structural steel.
“two independent consultants said the building is unsafe and should be replaced.“
Oakland City Manager 1962
I can only assume that Oakland had money problems. They would no longer build a new firehouse. Instead, the council approved $22,000 for structural reinforcements, waterproofing, and making the space more habitable.
Contract Awarded
Oakland Tribune January 22, 1964
In January 1964, a contract was awarded to M.W. Garing for $13,975 to repair the firehouse.
Loma Prieta – 1989
The firehouse was damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta quake. The house was decommissioned in 1991.
Oakland City Landmark #34
On March 18, 1980, the old fire station was designated as Oakland City Landmark #34
Address: 6226 Moraga Avenue, Oakland, California
Firehouse Today
A city report stated that the Fire Station was decommissioned around 1993 due to concerns that a facility for first responders should not be located on an active earthquake fault.
In 2018, City officials announced they sought development or purchase proposals for two parcels on Moraga Road. One is a vacant property totaling 24,000 square feet, and the other totals 16,000 square feet and contains the Montclair Fire Station, also known as Firehouse No. 24.
I love Oakland with much of my heart. I look forward to Oakland’s change, growth, virtue, and beauty in the years of the future, glorifying past and forgone years.
My dream is that people who read this book of our city will also strive for a more wonderful Oakland.
By: Jacqueline Taylor
Oakland Tribune 1969
Oakland, The Mellow City Week
By official proclamation of Mayor John Reading Sunday, October 12, 1969, was the first day of:
“Oakland, The Mellow City Week.”
Oakland Tribune Oct 1969
The observation honored more than 200 eighth-grade authors and artists who produced a book about their home city.
“The Mellow City” was researched and illustrated in the spring of 1968 under the guidance of teachers from Hoover Junior High.
Oakland Tribune Oct 1969
Students were asked to base their work on the response to one question:
“If you were to develop a book to help other students learn about Oakland, what would you include”?
Oakland Tribune
After six weeks of intensive work, they had 76 pages of essays, poems, and more than 50 original watercolors and pen and ink illustrations.
Oakland Tribune Feb 1969
Financing
Money for the project which required field trips, camera equipment, and teacher time was available through Elementary Secondary Education Act funding.
The Oakland Junior League voted to underwrite the expense of printing 2,500 copies.
Sample Page
The students also worked with printers in selecting the paper, typeface and cover design, including
The Cover
Jacqueline Taylor
Wanda White
Valerie Hickman
Marvin Miles
LaTanya Johnson
Glenda Walker
Coynell Smith
Oakland Tribune Oct 1969Sample Page
More Info:
The book is still available (July 2020) to purchase at:
Henry A. Snow, a naturalist, collector, and African big game hunter, established the Oakland Zoo in downtown Oakland. The first Zoo was located at 19th and Harrison. The area is now known as Snow Park.
In February of 1923, the city of Oakland accepted Snow’s collection of wild animals. The collection was valued from $30,000 to $80,000.
“On behalf of the city of Oakland, we are delighted to accept this valuable collection.”
Oakland Tribune Feb 1923
Two lion cubs, a boa-constrictor, formed the nucleus, with various monkeys, bobcats, a cinnamon bear, a mountain lion, and a badger completing the menagerie.
We’ve Moved!
Following numerous complaints from neighborhood residents around the Zoo to the city council and the park board, the animal collection was deemed a nuisance.
Oakland Tribune 1925
The new location was in Sequoia Mountain Park (now a part of Joaquin Miller Park).
In 1926, Henry Snow had a stroke and died in July 1927. Snow’s son, Sidney Snow, continued in his father’s footsteps.
In 1936, Snow established the nonprofit organization East Bay Zoological Society, which was incorporated as the Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society.
The new Society sought to move the animals to the 500-acre Durant Park.
Durant Park
In 1939, the Zoo moved from Joaquin Miller Park to Durant Park.
Durant Park was once the home to R.C. Durant, the President of Durant Motors. Before that, the land was owned by F.C. Talbot. The park is located at the top of 98th Avenue.
Rosebud Dancing to Shake, Rattle and Roll 1955Sid Snow with Baby Tigers circa 1950Oakland Tribune, May 22, 1950
Knowland State Arboretum, Park, and Zoo
Visitors enter the Oakland Zoo in Knowland Park through the Historical Park and Arboretum landscape. The trees throughout this area are the remnants of the Frederick Talbot estate (see Edenvale.)
Trees in the Meadow – Knowland Park 1937
A row of Canary Island Palm marks the park entry. There are Mexican Fan Palms, Chilean Palms, and exotic Bunya Bunya Trees from Australia in the meadow and picnic grounds. These trees were all planted in the early 1900s.
Knowland Park consists of approximately 443 acres, of which 350 are in the undeveloped Upper Knowland Park. The Zoo (in 1996) had 56 acres within the Historical Park, and 37 acres were in the Zoological Park.
Oakland Tribune 1948
Under a contract with the City of Oakland, the East Bay Zoological Society (EBZS) is fully responsible for the operation, maintenance, and development of the 37-acre Zoo and the 443 acres of Knowland Park.
Improvements 1957-1966
Miss Effie – new home
The first significant addition was the construction of an enclosure for Miss Effie, the elephant, for $15,000. The move from the lower park to the upper area began. Video of Miss Effie in 1965 can be seen here: website.
There was a 60-foot cylindrical gibbon tower at the entrance to the Zoo. The baby zoo was located in the lower area of the new Zoo.
Oakland Zoo 1963
“The Zoo, when completed, will be the most modern and beautiful one in the country.”
Oakland Tribune 1960
Oakland Tribune 1964
By 1967, the Zoo had relocated entirely to a canyon rising to a mountain overlooking the entire East Bay Area.
The Skyline Daylight is a miniature train with a “Vista Dome” coach.
Oakland Zoo Circa 1968
The Baby Zoo was completed in 1965 and rebuilt in 2005.
Oakland Tribune 1965
When completed, the Zoo would be 100 acres.
Sidney Snow Dies
SF Examiner August 38, 1959
People Came to See
Zoo Under Fire
In 1983, the Zoo was listed as number six of the “Ten worst zoos.’
The Humane Society of the United States said the conditions at the Zoo were so adverse that the elephants might be better off “serving five to ten years in Leavenworth.”
SF Examiner 1983
The Zoo was “a random collection of animals maintained in amateurish fashion and failed to meet even one criterion of an acceptable zoological garden.
They called the Zoo a “concrete oasis.”
SF Examiner 1983
The report noted no cruelty to the animals, and they were generally healthy.
The Zoo’s response was, “it will be a first-class zoo in a few years.”
Since 1988, Oakland Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the national organization that sets the highest standards for animal welfare for zoos and aquariums.
In his tenure, Dr. Parrott has transformed the Zoo, making it one of the best in the country.
African Savanna
Many new exhibits have been created, including those for the hamadryas baboons and the chimpanzees, as well as a new spacious elephant exhibit built in 1987.
The current sun bear exhibit, completed in 1995, was featured on Animal Planet’s “Ultimate Zoos.” The white-handed gibbons now live on a lush island in the heart of the Rainforest. The African Savannah, with camels, lions, elephants, meerkats, hyenas, and more, was completed in 1998.
The Zoo Today
In the summer of 2005, the 3-acre Valley Children’s Zoo opened with spacious new animal exhibits along with plenty of interactive play structures for children. The ring-tailed lemurs, century-old Aldabra tortoises, the interactive Goat and Sheep Contact Yard, and the river otters are in the Children’s Zoo. The popular American alligators, bats, pot-bellied pigs, Old-World rabbits, Bug Room, Reptile, and Amphibian Discovery Room are also in the Children’s Zoo.
June 20, 2018 – Almost three years since breaking ground and more than two decades in the making, Oakland Zoo’s highly anticipated California Trail opens. The expansion doubles the Zoo’s current size from 45 to 100 acres.
The Zoo is home to two sets of brother grizzly bears, also known as brown bears. At Oakland Zoo, the bears are given a wide variety of enrichment and choices. Grizzly Bear Cams
The California Trail includes the interactive California Conservation Habitat, Conservation Action Tent, and California Wilds! Playground based on California’s diverse eco-zones, and Clorox Overnight Experience ‘safari-style’ campground.
5 Fascinating Facts about the Oakland Zoo Gondola Oakland Zoo October 18, 2018 3-story Kaiser Permanente Visitor Center, which houses The Landing Café. Ring-Tailed Lemur Children’s ZooOur Bats Are Hungry For a Bite of FRUIT! Oakland Zoo November 1, 2019
1936– Snow established the nonprofit organization East Bay Zoological Society, which was incorporated as the Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society.
1939-moved from Joaquin Miller Park to Durant Park.
1948 – Became a State Park
1949: State Park property is leased to the City of Oakland for 50 years, and the City of Oakland subleases the zoo property to the East Bay Zoological Society.
1950: -The zoo property changed its name to Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park.
1964 –City Parks Dept and Society run zoo
1965 – The Baby Zoo opened
1975 Knowland State Park was conveyed to the City of Oakland.
1982 –East Bay Zoological Society took over the maintenance, operation, and development of the city-run Zoo. The 10-year lease agreement saved the city almost $315,880 a year. The Society signed a ten-year contract.
1985 – Joel Parrott was appointed the Executive Director. A 20-year renovation plan was put in place,
1994- Renews 10-year lease.
Timeline of Major Developments
Hamadryas Baboon Exhibit – 1982
Chimpanzee Exhibit – 1988
African Elephant Exhibit – 1989
African Lion Exhibit – 1992
Siamang Island Exhibit – 1993
Malayan Sun Bear Exhibit – 1996
African Savanna – 1998
Maddie’s Center – 1999
Warthog Exhibit – 2000
Mahali Pa Tembo – 2004
Elephant Exhibit 2004
Wayne & Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo Opened – 2005
Baboon Cliffs – 2009
Wild Australia – 2010
Veterinary Hospital – 2012
More Info:
The East Bay Zoological Society has operated and managed the Zoo for the City of Oakland from 1982 until August 2017, when it was renamed the Conservation Society of California to reflect better the Zoo’s evolving purpose and mission in its commitment to conservation.
Open Daily: Monday – Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Saturday, Sunday, Select Holidays: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
In 1980 the Mckinley family of Oakland was one of seven Oakland families that were approved for a construction loan of $45,000 to participate in the Owner-Built Housing Program of Oakland Neighborhood Housing Services (ONHS).
The homes are located on 73rd Avenue between International Blvd and Holly Street.
Building Training
SF Examiner
The families were trained in construction techniques and were supervised by professional construction personnel. They took classes at the Owner Builder Center in Berkeley. The highly technical and most finish work was subcontracted out.
SF Examiner
Each family was obligated to provide 40 hours of labor week on the construction of their home.
SF Examiner
The couples had to have incomes of between $21,000 and $31,000. They had to be Oakland residents for a year and be first-time homeowners.
Sf Examiner
Project Design
Architects at the University of California, Berkeley, contributed to the beginning design stages of the project and made the model used in the presentation to the City of Oakland.
Before “The Montclarion” newspaper rolled off the presses in 1944, there were two earlier editions. The Montclair Garden Club published a newsletter called the Montclair Clarion in the early 1930s and then the Montclarion.
Montclarion – Thanks to Chris Treadway
Montclair Clarion
In January of 1935, a small booklet of community news and poetry appeared in mailboxes in the Merriewood area. The Merriewood-Pinewood Improvement Club sponsored it.
The Montclair Clarion was distributed free of charge. It included poetry, stories, community activities, advertisements, and a recipe for Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.
The cover was a pen-and-ink sketch by Schuler of two pines, grass, and a view of the hills beyond. The sketch tool had slight variations, reflecting the seasons.
Montclarion 1992
Margery Lane Schuler, who lived at 5646 Merriewood Drive, was the editor. Schuler was also the advertising manager, copyreader, publisher, and art director.
In her first editorial, Schuler wrote that she hopes the Montclair Clarion will “have a great many people become more aware of the beauty of the district of the district and promote a desire for our living amongst the trees and nature, living close to God, thereby establishing us to live richer fuller lives.
” We want them to see our sunset, to breathe our pines; and everyone should hear our birds sing in the morning, they like it too, out here.”
Some news from the Clarion
Mrs. Emerson’s garden party with an entrance charge of 50 cents.
The Women’s club was booked solid.
Realtor Ione Jones had a pine lot available for $1,500.
Montclair Realty at 6466 Moraga announced the permit for the Hamilton Market.
New street sign at the blind corner of Merriewood and Sherwood Drives.
The cover of the April 1935 edition boasted a circulation of 1000, and by September 1935, the little book was less than ten pages.
Montclair Clarion Feb-Mar 1935 –Thanks Chris Treadway
In 1940, the first issue of the Monclairion, still a typed, mimeographed newsletter, appeared. Promising its readers, “a personal newssheet will keep you informed on the interesting and important events in your community.
July 13, 1940 –Thanks Chris Treadway
The area’s monthly news source was published by the Montclair Townsite Association, “of, by and for the people of Montclair from Piedmont to Skyline.” The yearly subscription price is $1.00.
Thanks, Chris Treadway
The editor, realtor Beatrice Pause of The Montclair Realty Co., had a staff of three nurserymen: Elmer Warren, local resident Damond Woodlee, whose forte was “scandal,” and her sister Pierette DeVincenzi.
Vol 2 No 54 July 1941
A popular and controversial column, “Well What Do You Know” by Yehudi, reported the goings-on of hill residents and merchants. “Yehudi” kept things stirred up by tattling on everyone, even himself.
“What local golf wizard took what local scribe’s pants at what club?” began a column in July 1940. “Little did he suspect this local scribe had shed his longies.” (and editors’ note read: Yehudi to be released from local klink Monday)
Vol 2 Oct 1941 Thanks, Chris Treadway
Five months after that first issue appeared, The Montclarion became a weekly, six to eight-page publication that included the “important events of the community” gossip, meetings, gardening and cooking tips, new neighbors, and help-wanted columns.
Four months later, the paper was delivered by carriers every Friday to 2,150 homes.
Advertisements on the letter-size news sheet reflected the hill area growth.
Charles Huenneke had taken over the Montclair Pharmacy at the corner of Moraga and La Salle.
Gil’s Market opened at 6120 La Salle.
Edward’s Cleaners and Hatters opened.
Thanks, Chris Treadway
The following year, four days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, urged residents to enroll in civilian defense classes.
Vol. 3 No 1 Jan 1942 – Thanks Chris Treadway
But despite its popularity—2000 papers every week—the Montclarion died quietly sometime in 1942, a victim of wartime shortages and rising production costs.
For nearly two years, the Montclarion was nothing more than a copyrighted title.
The Montclarion
Fred and Micky Graeser bought the title for $100.00, rented printing equipment, and set up shop in their home on Sobrante Road. They sold the paper in 1977.
Montclarion
The first issue was on October 27, 1944, and started as a four-page semi-tabloid whose pages varied in size.
Over the years, The Montclarion moved their offices at least eight times.
Montclarion
Various Issues
Monntclarion June 1949 – Thanks to Chris Treadway
Montclarion March 1952 Thanks, Chris Treadway
MontclarionAugust 1953Montclarion Nov 17, 1955Montclarion May 1957Montclarion April 1957Montclarion 1962
The name Lockwood has been a part of Oakland for a long time. I am still looking into where the name came from. Lockwood was (is) considered a part of the Elmhurst District.
In 1875 the Lockwood School District reported the following:
Oakland Evening Tribune 1875
The Site
The site of Lockwood Gardens was once the extensive estate of William Cluff Jr., a wholesale grocer of some prominence in the early days.
Lockwood Gardens is located between 64th and 66th Avenues on the south side of East 14th Street on 2 1/2 acres of land that was occupied by a golf practice range and one house.
The proposed housing development that would become Lockwood Gardens was met with protest. The major complaints were as follows.
Oakland Tribune April 10, 1941
One of the provisions in the funding of government housing for the city was to carry out an “equilievant demolition” program. Under the provision for every new housing unit built, a substandard dwelling not within the project area must be demolished. The city had not met the requirements of the projects built in West Oakland. Lockwood was 372 housing units. Over 500 hundred homes would have to be demolished.
Oakland Tribune Mar 6, 1941
Newly constructed Lockwood Gardens public housing development in the Havenscourt district of Oakland,
The cost of building the projects was about $1,175,525. Lockwood was ready for occupancy in 1942.
The Early Years
Lockwood opened in August of 1942. Originally designed for low-income families regardless of employment, they were converted for the use of families in the defense industry only.
“this metropolitan area’s answer to Govenment housing officials prayers”
Oakland Tribune 1944
In 1944 Lockwood had a population of 1600, which included 372 family units and a total of 800 children. An all-volunteer Community Council. A very active Improvement Club to promote unity among the residents and expand social and sports programs for adults and children.
Oakland Tribune Feb 03, 1944
There were two newspapers and two orchestras that provided music for the semi-monthly adult dances and the weekly teen dances. There was a community victory garden.
OaklandTribune Feb 3, 1944
Organized girls’ and boys’ clubs and carried out a full program of social and sports activities under the direction of volunteers.
There was an auxiliary police force of 40 members who provided their own uniforms and served under Chief of Police James Rouse.
Oakland Tribune Feb 03, 1944
Race and Housing
In a letter to the editor of the Oakland Tribune, Mrs. Mollie Thorner wrote the following:
Editor: Only recently has our whole neighborhood become fully aware of the shocking policies at Lockwood Gardens Federal Housing Projects. (65th Avenue). The neighborhood surrounding Lockwood Gardens is a fine democratic community where all peoples, regardless of race, creed, or color, live side by side to enrich all. The policy of Lockwood Gardens, however, is No admittance to any minority groups. Please note that this is a Federal Housing Project for GI families of low income. All Americans are asked to fight on the battlefield, regardless of race, creed, or color. What do the good people of Oakland think of a policy where, if the GI lives to come home, he finds a Federal Project closed to him because of the color of his skin? These projects are partly paid for by the Federal. Government, but the policy is left in the hands of each city. And since one poison always breeds another, it has now been learned that hundreds of families live in Lockwood Gardens whose income is way above the maximum ser for Federal Housing tenants. We believe that the housing authorities shut their eyes to this to keep up the discrimination policy. We say with great pride that now that our community did at last found all these things out it will leave no stone unturned to have these policies changed. The citizens of all of Oakland have a duty in this.
Lockwood is also known as the “6-5 Vill” (Village) and is one-half of the “Vill.” The other half of the “Vill” is the recently torn down 69th San Antonio Villas housing project, where infamous drug kingpin Felix Mitchell is from. The 69th San Antonio Villas has since been remodeled into condominiums. Once an extremely unattractive housing project, the Oakland housing authority also remodeled Lockwood Gardens. However, unlike the 69th Vill, whose crime rate dropped after remodeling, these efforts have done little to thwart the crime that still plagues the 65th Vill.
The Oakland Housing Authority received five federal HOPE VI grants totaling $83 million, enabling it to revitalize four large public housing sites and four small scattered sites. OHA’s first HOPE grant was used to renovate one of OHA’s original “war housing” developments, the 372-unit Lockwood Gardens, constructed in 1943. This was in 1994, 1998, 1999 and 2000
Lockwood Gardens was rehabilitated in the early 2000s.
Ostrich farming was promoted as a sound investment over a century ago. The farms, well documented on postcards, and were tourist attractions.
Ostriches were brought to the United States in the early 1880s from Africa. In the wild, they lived in warm, dry climates. Southern California seemed to have conditions similar to their natural African environment. By the late 1890s, there were eight locations in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Deigo counties.
The popularity of feathers in women’s fashion made raising the birds an attractive investment.
Farm in Oakland
In the fall of 1907, San Francisco newspapers ran an ad campaign for stock investment in an ostrich farm in Oakland.
In July of 1908, W.H.” Harvey” Bentley of the Bentley Ostrich Farm in San Diego County announced the opening of a branch in the Elmhurst District (sometimes Fruitvale) of Oakland at East 14th and High Street.
Bentley Ostrich Farm East 14th (now International Blvd) and High Streets Oakland, California Photographer: Cheney Photo Advertising Company c 1913
It opened on August 30th of 1908. It featured birds named Mr. and Mrs “George Dewey” (Admiral at the battle of Manila Bay) and the other Spanish American War hero from the Cuba campaign, “Fighting Bob” Evans commander of the Great White Fleet.
Forty-six birds compromised the original herd.
Could this be George or Bob?
In 1910 it was announced that the addition of a factory to their local salesroom and yards. Which meant the hats were made in Oakland and not San Diego. For the years 1907 to 1911, ostrich plumage on women’s hats was at its peak and all the rage.
Bentley Ostrich Farm East 14th (now International Blvd) and High Streets Oakland, California Photographer: Cheney Photo Advertising Company c 1911
New Name
In January of 1912, the owner of the Bently Ostrich Farm, was killed in an auto accident near the San Diego farm.
Oakland Tribune Sep 21, 1913
His son sold the farm to a group of Oakland investors.
View of main entrance to the Golden State Ostrich Farm; Souvenir Publishing Co 1915
The name was changed to Golden State Ostrich Farm in 1913.
;
The farm had spacious ground floor offices and salesroom. In the sales there was a magnificent display of plumes in all sizes, prices and colors.
Title: Salesroom and office [picture] : Golden State Ostrich Farm, East 14th and High streets 1910 Collection: Selections from the Collections of the Oakland History Room and the Maps Division of the Oakland Public Library Date of access: May 31 2020 10:32 Permalink: https://calisphere.org/item/ark:/13030/kt0p3022h1/
With the coming of World War I, as American and European women entered the workforce, utilitarian clothing replaced the flamboyant fashions of the early 1900s. Broader hats were pinned up with a broach or artificial flower.
Oakland Tribune 1909
Plucking is Painless”
Oakland Tribune May 01, 1952
The bird is shoved into a corner by several men. A hood is placed over the birds head. The plume is cut leaving about an inch of quill in the flesh. The quill would soon fall out.
Bankruptcy
Golden State Ostrich Farm in Oakland filed for bankruptcy in early 1915.
“Whole Ostrich for the Price of a Feather”
The press announcement said it was now cheaper to buy the entire ostrich than the amount once paid for the feathers to adorn a hat.
The ostrich farms in northern California had all but failed by 1915. The “industry” had a brief heyday, and in the end, defeat by war and a significant fashion change in hats.
The schools were single-story buildings with integrated gardens and pavilion-like classrooms, which increased children’s access to the outdoors, fresh air, and sunlight. They were primarily built in areas away from city centers, sometimes in rural locations, to provide a space free from pollution and overcrowding.
The first open-air school in Oakland was established at Fruitvale School No. 2 (now Hawthorne School) on Tallent Street (now East 17th). When it opened, forty students from grades three through seven were enrolled. Miss Lulu Beeler was selected as the teacher because she had prior experience working in an open-air school in the East.
The school was designed to help cure ill and tubercular children. It focused on improving physical health by infusing fresh air into the classrooms and the children’s lungs. The school was established as a medical experiment. It was reserved for children judged to be of “weak” disposition.
It was constructed at the rear of the playground, one hundred feet from the existing main building.
“Fruitvale School. The Fresh Air School, 5-18-13.” The negative shows a group of children, boys and girls, posing in front of an enclosed porch on the back of the building. Two adult women and a man are standing with the children on a set of stairs leading up to this room. OMCA
The square, the wood-framed building, was raised to prevent underfloor dampness.
Fruitvale School. Saluting the flag, 5-18-13.” Negative shows a group of children with their right hands to their foreheads. One girl is standing in front of them, holding an American flag on a pole. OMCA
Each side had a different treatment to reflect the sun. The southern side had tall windows that, when open, didn’t seem enclosed. The east side was opened to the elements with only half a wall. A screen protected them from insects. In storms, awnings could be pulled down to protect the students.
Fruitvale School.” The negative shows schoolchildren hanging out of the school’s windows, posing for the photo. A male teacher is standing on the ground outside the windows, looking up at the first-floor windows filled with students. OMCA
The school was to be the first in a series of open-air schools installed on the grounds of Oakland’s existing city schools.
Objections
Fruitvale School. The outdoors brought indoors 5-18-13.” OMCA
There were some objections to opening the school, both from the parents of the selected children and the children themselves. The parents did not want their children singled out; the children worried they would be teased as being “sick.” These fears were realized, and the teachers struggled with how to deal with the repeated taunts
The open-air classroom idea was incorporated into many new schools built in the 1920s. I don’t know how long the Fruitvale Open Air School was open. I will update you if I find more information.
