Category Archives: Neighborhoods

Neighborhoods of Oakland

Pine-Covered Hills

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Studio Homes by Phil Heraty

Phil Heraty (1896-1969) was a Bay Area Builder and Developer responsible for homes in Concord, Walnut Creek, San Leandro, and Oakland. I covered Melrose Highlands in Oakland here.

In 1940, Heraty opened new offices at 3625 Hopkins Street (now MacArthur Blvd.) and announced that this would be the headquarters for all company operations. The branch office at 5815 Thornhill, the original tract office for the Merriewood Development, is now home to a daycare.

It is now Medical Offices – Oakland Tribune November 10, 1940

This post will cover a group of homes built in the Broadway Terrace area by Lake Temescal.

Lake Temescal Studio Homes

The development of Lake Temescal in 1938 as a recreation center with swimming and picnic grounds significantly increased the demand for building homes in the wooded hill district adjacent to the lake.

Oakland Tribune 1938

In May 1938, Phil Heraty announced the completion of a new group of eight studio homes he called ‘Lake Temescal Studio Homes.’ The previous year, he sold 37 studio homes in the area.

Oakland Tribune May 1938

Below is one of the Studio Homes. It was located at 6192 Ruthland Road and was lost in the 1991 fire.

Oakland Tribune 1938

The Temescal, a furnished 6-room display home, was opened in November 1938. It was listed for $4950.00

Oakland Tribune 1938

The Temescal is located on Florence Terrace, where it meets Capricorn Avenue.

This is the area where I grew up. I used to walk to school with a girl who lived there. They moved sometime in the mid-1970s. I then babysat for the next family that lived there. I watched their daughter from about six months to three years old. I love this house! I fantasized about living there.

5748 Florence Terrace Today.

Unusual Studio Homes

“Live in the Pine-Covered Hills”

Oakland Tribune Aug 25, 1940

In 1940, Heraty announced the completion of a new group of “unusual studio homes” located along Broadway Terrace and Taurus Avenue.

Oakland Tribune 1940
Oakland Tribune 1940

The new two-bedroom homes would cost less than $4900 to less than $6000. They featured large living rooms with beamed ceilings and corner fireplaces, corner tiled sinks in an airy kitchen, and elevated bedrooms on a huge lot. The largest home in the group had a rumpus room finished in knotty pine.

Sliding Down

Oakland Tribune 1953

In the spring of 1952, a group of studio homes in the Upper Broadway Terrace area at Taurus Road began sliding down the hill. I’m not saying they had anything to do Phil Hearty and the construction.

  • 7075 Broadway Terrace
  • 7081 Broadway Terrace
  • 7085 Broadway Terrace
  • 7093 Broadway Terrace
  • 9009 Broadway Terrace
  • 9025 Broadway Terrace
  • 9033 Broadway Terrace
  • 9041 Broadway Terrace
Oakland Tribune May 18, 1952

The following year, during the winter rains and after the city of Oakland had done extensive work on the slide, the homes began to slide again. This turned what was left of the homes into rubble and further damaged others.

In 1954, eight Broadway Terrace property owners sued the city of Oakland and the Oakland Sewer Construction Company for $135,000. The suit alleged the damage was caused by seepage from a ditch the sewer construction company dug.

 “eight houses in a hilly portion of Oakland, which, prior to 1949, were serviced by septic tanks. The area is a natural drainage area” Findlaw

 “prior to the sewer installation, had leaking septic tanks, and possibly some springs.” Findlaw

The area now has big homes built after the 1991 fire.

More Info:

  • HAMILTON v. HARKINS (1956) – Findlaw

A Log Cabin in Pinehaven

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Growing up, I heard stories about Montclair having summer homes that belonged to the rich people of San Francisco and a few cabins that belonged to hunters. This is what I found.

Oakland Tribune 1922

In 1922, few people outside the hikers of the Contra Costa Hills Club knew much about Pinehaven and its beautiful canyon. Pinehaven has all the characteristics of the most picturesque parts of Marin County. Roads have now been opened up. The property was initially laid out as Upper Piedmont, but the owners changed the plans and decided to put it on the market for those who want summer home cabins close to downtown and transportation.

Pinehaven is located in Montclair.

Lawrence Block of the Villa Site Sales Company was in charge of the sale of the property, and Block said:

“Pinehaven is a summer home colony with its pretty cottages and cabin homes nestling in the side-hills, overlooking canyons and within twenty minutes from City Hall. You awaken in the morning to the song of the birds refreshed and full of vigor and imagine you have traveled a hundred miles to the wilds of some distant state.“

Oakland Tribune Mar 27, 1922

This was Villa Site Sales Company’s first big sale, offering it at mortgage prices. The sale price was as low as $175.00. More than 50 cabins and cottages were being planned. Pinehaven went on sale on April 9, 1922.

Oakland Tribune Feb 19, 1922

Lots of Building

Oakland Tribune Apr 9, 1922

Building Bungalows in Foothill Canyons

Oakland Tribune June 1922
Oakland Tribune May 1922
Oakland Tribune May and June 1922

Cabin Sites of 1/4 acre each sold for $85 to $385 each with payments of $2.00 a month.

John’s Family

Oakand Tribune Sep 1, 1922

Pitch a TeePee

Oakland Tribune May 21, 1922

Pinehaven Colony

“In a rustic setting of ferns and pines and little streams among rolling hills is located Pinehaven” Oakland Tribune

Oakland Tribune May 1922
Oakland Tribune May 21, 1922

Log Cabins

6466 Pinehaven Road was advertised as a “Log Cabin” in 1946, 1956, and 1980. There is no picture avaiable online for this home. I will have to venture into the world and check it out myself.

Oakland Tribune 1946
Oakland Tribune 1980
Oakland Tribune 1956

I believe this is one of the Log Cabins. It is advertised as being built in 1890, but I doubt it. It is located at 7135 Pinehaven Rd, close to Broadway Terrace.

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7135-Pinehaven-Rd-Oakland-CA-94611/24818860_zpid/

Another possibility might be this log cabin on Heather Ridge Way. Built in 1922, it is in the correct time frame.

“The log cabin harmonizes seamlessly with the natural surroundings, inviting you to step into a world where old-world charm meets modern comfort. The rustic, cozy living/dining room has preserved the cabin’s historic appeal.” Redfin.com

6575 Heather Ridge Way

More Info:

The End

I did a blog on this before, but it was messed up when transferring my site.

The Medau Ranch and Dairy

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I hope you enjoy this. I had written about Medau before, but the post was messed up when I changed my blog to a new host. I hope this post will get me back into the swing of things; I have had a lot on my plate these last few months. Dorothy

In 1857, J.H. Medau purchased approximately 500 acres in what was then Piedmont, or hills in the back of Piedmont. He bought the property as a ranch. Some of the land was priced at $30.00 an acre, and “the poorer land,” located in East Piedmont, sold for $10.00 an acre. Oakland Tribune 1916

The ranch was located in what is now the Montclair Business District, Montclair Park, and part of Piedmont.

J H Medau -Thorn Road – Oakland Directory 1898

When Medau first bought the land, it was covered with weeds, grass, flowers, and rattlesnakes—lots of rattlesnakes! He spent the next 36 years cultivating the land to be one of the finest of its kind at the time.

Ad for Medau Dairy – Alameda County: The Eden of the Pacific 1898

The Medau’s home was located in what is now Montclair Park. Beautiful gardens surrounded it and it was a stone’s throw from the pond, stocked with German Carp and Trout.

His herd consisted of forty-five cows. He also grew grain and hay on the ranch.

“famous Medau Ranch”

Oakland Tribune Oct 1916
Undated photo of the Medau Family in front of their home on the ranch. (Courtesy of Oakland History Room)

He was a school trustee for Fruitvale and Hays Districts for over twenty years, and some of his children attended the Hays School.

May Day Festival

In 1879, Medau hosted a May Day Festival and invited the children from Fruit Vale School.

Scenic Park

In 1897, Medau offered to sell his land (476 acres) to the city of Oakland for a park.

The land is less than four miles from city hall. The county road to Contra Costa County passes through nearly the entire length of his land.

Oakland Tribune November 22, 1897

From Valley to Hillside

The lower part of the ranch comprises stretches of level and slightly rolling land; to the northward, the land extends up the sloping hillsides to the crest of the ridge, where the dividing line between Alameda and Contra Costa counties is located. The highest peak of the land is 1,300 feet above sea level.

Oakland Tribune November 22, 1897

The views from the highest point are unrivaled. A sweeping of the Contra Costa, San Joaquin, and Sacramento Valleys. Both Mount Diablo and Hamilton can be seen.

Many Natural Advantages

Oakland Tribune November 22, 1897

A mountain stream flows along the eastern border. Near the Meadau residence, a natural lake (the pond in Montclair Park) of an acre in extent is fed by springs from the adjacent hillside.

He said he would sell the 476 acres for $210 an acre.

For Sale

Oakland Enquirer July 9, 1901

In 1901, Medau sold his ranch for $95,000 to the Reality Syndicate.

He retired to a new home he had built on East 12th near 2nd Avenue, where he lived for the rest of his life.

Oakland Tribune October 25, 1905

The Medau Family

John Heinrich “Henry” Medau (1831-1918) was born in Holstein, Germany, emigrated to the United States in 1851, and became a naturalized citizen in 1857.  

San Francisco

When Medau was sixteen and still in Germany, he apprenticed to learn the trade of a tobacconist, and he did that for about three years. In 1851, he and his brothers set sail for the United States, first staying in New York and then heading to San Francisco. He first took any available jobs, then in 1853, he purchased a cigar store and worked it for several years with his brothers. He retained interest in the store until 1864.

In June 1860, he married Regina Raubinger (1860-1916), also born in Germany.  They had the following children, all born at the ranch.

  • Edward 1863-1918
  • Pauline 1865-1930
  • Matilda 1866-1954
  • Adelphine 1868-1958
  • Theodore A. 1870-1953
  • Edith S. 1872-1962
  • Henry 1874-1874
  • Louisa 1875-1954
  • Henry O. 1880-1970
California Daily Alta June 12, 1860

Regina Raubinger came to San Francisco at 18, married Medau a year later, and moved across the bay to Oakland.

Oakland Tribune June 12, 1910

Medau passed away in 1918; his wife preceded him in 1916.

Henry Medau, the last remaining son, died in 1970.

Oakland Tribune Aug 31, 1970

From the Montclarion

From Henry Medau – Printed in the Montcarion April 1960

In 1963, Henry Medau, one of Medau’s sons, was interviewed by the Montclairion. He loaned the above photo for use in the article. This is the same ad as the photo at the beginning of this post.

  • Top- left – the family orchard
  • Top- middle – cows grazing in hills.
  • Top- right – a corner of the pond with cedars in the background
  • Middle-left Medau family home, which faced Moraga Road.
  • Middle- some of the dairy buildings
  • Middle-right, another view of the Medau home.
  • Bottom-left view of the yard around the home
  • Bottom-middle the pond created by springs a view of “Indian hill.”
  • Bottom-right Moraga Road is lined with eucalyptus.
The Montclarion April 16, 1960
The Montclarion April 16, 1960

    More Info:

    Grand Avenue Heights – By The Parks

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    Grand Avenue Heights went on sale in 1907.

    Frank K. Mott Company were the sales agents in charge.

    Fronts on Grand Avenue with Boulevard Way, Crofton, Fairbanks, Walker, and Weldon Avenues. Overlooks Piedmont Park

    A part of the development is in Piedmont.

    Grand Avenue Heights is situated on Grand Avenue between the head of Lake Merritt and Piedmont. At one time, this area was called Pleasant Valley.

    “Soon to be the center of Oakland’s most exclusive residence district” Oakland Tribune
    From the Grand Avenue Heights Brochure

    Grand Avenue Heights By The Parks – Haiti Trust

    The above photos are from a brochure by Frank K Mott, showing some of the features of Grand Avenue Heights from 1907.

    “Grand Avenue Heights enjoys the finest climate in Oakland (and that means the best in the State). It is the greatest place in the world for children who can sleep out upon the sleeping porches 365 nights in the year.”

    Oakland Tribune Feb 11, 1910
    Oakland Tribune Oct 21, 1908

    Over 3,000 people attended the opening day sale, and they sold between $50,000 and $79,000 in lots that first day. The average lot was about $2000 with $300 down and $25 a month.

    “It is between the two most fashionable residential districts in the county – Adams Point and Piedmont”

    Oakland Tribune Feb 11, 1910

    By 1910 at least 25 new houses were built or had been built. They were sold for $4,000 to $10,000.

    Grand Avenue Heights – circa 1914
    Grand AvenueHeights – circa 1914

    In the above Cheney Photo Advertising photo, you see from left to right 1098, 1092,1086, and 1080 Grand Avenue (now 3850, 3840, 3838, and 3824).

    Showing 1098, 1092, and 1086 Grand Ave – Oakland Tribune Jan 19, 1910

    In 1911, the Oakland Tribune reported that the home on the left cost $ 10,000, and the one next to it cost $8,000.

    The area today – Google Map
    1080 (now 3824) Grand is still standing in 2024 – Google Maps

    “It is free from fog and heavy winds”

    Oakland Tribune Feb 11, 1910

    Then and Now

    Oakland Enquirer
    Google Maps

    The above clipping is from 1909 and shows 1025 and 1031 Walker Avenue. Below is another view of 1025 Walker Avenue

    Oakland Enquirer
    Google Maps

    The below clipping is from 1910 and shows 530 and 534 Boulevard way In Piedmont.

    Oakland Tribune
    Google Maps
    530 Boulevartd Way
    534 Boulevard Way
    534 Boulevard Way

    Below is View of some of the homes in Grand Avenue Heights on Grand Avenue. This is from Vermont Avenue.

    865 Vermont Street across Grand Avenue circa 1930’s from John Chaix

    More Info:

    Links

    • Worden, W. E., and Frank K. Mott Company. Some Features of Grand Avenue Heights (by the park): the Park And Boulevard Residence District of Oakland. Oakland, Cal.: Frank K. Mott Co., 1907. Haiti Trust

    The End

    Blandings’ Oakland Dream House

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    In 1948, as part of the promotion for the movie Mr. Blandings’ Builds a Dream House starring Cary Grant and Myrna Loy, the studio built “dream houses” in cities across the United States. Oakland was chosen as one of the locations.

    They initially planned to build 100 replicas of the home in the movie. In the end, only 73 dream houses were built. Some homes were sold by raffle, and some were auctioned off, with a percentage of the proceeds going to local charities. The charity in Oakland was Childrens’ Hospital.

    Before the movie’s release, blueprints were sent to local builders by the studio, asking that they build the homes as close to the specifications as conditions would permit.

    Children’s Hospital

    They charged 50 cents to tour the house, with the proceeds going to the Children’s Hospital. 

    Funds from the sale of tickets to Mr. Blandings’ California Dream House were used to purchase a large Autoclave sterilizer for a new wing at Oakland’s Children’s Hospital.  

    Children’s Hospital branch members served as hostesses at the open house.

    The Dream House

    “This is very likely the most famous modern home in the world today”

    Oakland Tribune September 18, 1948

    The Oakland Dream Home was located in the Chabot Park area at 11000 Cameron Street. It was situated on three choice free from fog and only minutes from downtown Oakland. The lots overlooks the entire Bay Area (that might be a stretch) and five counties, adjoins Lake Chabot Golf Course and miles of bridle trails.

    The had two large bedrooms, and a combination den or bedroom, a 36 foot living room with a 12 foot plate glass window overlooking the bay. There was a badminton court a double car garage, a rumpus room connected to a large outdoor area.

    It was for sale in 1981 for $151,000, but sometime between then and 1994 it was demolished and a new house was built.

    Oakland Tribune 1981
    The house today – photograph by author

    More Info:

    • A Visit to Mr. Blandings’ Fictional Dream House – Blog

    Elmhurst Presbyterian Church

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    I found an article written by William Sturm (Oakland History Room) in the Oakland Heritage Alliance Newsletter for the Summer of 1993 on the Elmhurst Presbyterian Church. 1993 the church was celebrating its 100th Anniversary.

    The article piques my interest, and I thought it should be easy to find more history to share with you. Well, it wasn’t. I didn’t see much more than what was included in his article and another from the Oakland Tribune. The church doesn’t seem to have a website but does have a Facebook page, but no history there.

    A Bit of History

    View of Elmhurst, California, looking west from the adjacent hill. DATE: circa 1907 Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

    In the 1890s, the town of Elmhurst was farmland and orchards with few houses here and there.

    In May 1892, traction service began along the north-south on what is now International Blvd., on the Oakland, San Leandro, and Hayward Electic Railway. To power the engines, a modern dynamo and roundhouse were built at Elmhurst on what is now 98th Ave. Elmhurst was just 17 minutes from central Oakland.

    Electric street car approaching a stop on East 14th Street at 96th Avenue, looking east, in the Elmhurst district of Oakland, California. Date circa 1909. Vernon Sapper’s collection. Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
    Interior of shops at Elmhurst in 1895, from a print of W.F. Krueger – https://purl.stanford.edu/gh405bd4246

    Land Donated

    Elmhurst was just a year old when Andrew Jones, a pioneer, farmer, and landowner of the town, donated a piece of land on the east side of Jones Ave (now 98th Ave) near East 14th Street (now International Blvd) to the church.

    Ch n le June 25, 1893

    Jones donated land across the street from the two-story home he built in 1882.

    Oakland Tribune July 19, 1882
    Residence of Andrew Jones Elmhurst – date unknown Oakland Public Library History Room
    Oakland Tribune August 23, 1882

    Church Organized

    On June 4, 1893, the church was organized with 20 charter members, and on August 30, the ground was broken for a new house of worship.

    “the Sunday school has a membership of fifty”

    The Oakland Enquirer
    Undated drawing of the church

    On November 25, 1893, the church bell rang out, and the first service was held in the new building.

    The Elmhurst Presbyterian was the pride of the area.

    By 1902, Elmhurst had 1100 residents, a newspaper, a public school, several churches, and numerous businesses, including a hotel, livery stables, restaurants, grocery, and hardware stores.

    Jones Avenue ( later 98th Avenue), looking southwest, in Elmhurst, California. DATE: [circa 1905] Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

    In 1909 Elmhurst, along with Fruitvale, was annexed into Oakland. The church remained at the heart of the community, a link to the beginning of Elmhurst and a source of community strength.

    Oakland Tribune 1922

    In the 1960s, the congregation became predominantly African-American. The Rev. Michael Dunn, pastor from 1972-1981, made notable contributions to the church’s ministries; a chapel is named in his honor.

    The church is still standing, and according to the Oakland Heritage Alliance Summer 1993 newsletter, they were using the same bell.

    Home on Grand Avenue (now 90th Avenue) in Elmhurst, California Circa 1896 .Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
    Willow’s Block in Elmhurst, California. Elmhurst Shoe Store and other businesses in view. DATE: circa 1907 Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

    More Info:

    Location:  Elmhurst Presbyterian Church. . 1332 98th Avenue Oakland 94603

    • Oakland Heritage Alliance – Summer 1993 Newsletter

    Piedmont Pines Display Homes

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    Happy New Year!

    A bit more history of the display or model homes in the Piedmont Pines neighborhood. There seems to be a lot of information on these homes, and local architects (now famous) designed many.

    Spanish View Home – Ascot Lane

    “The Spanish View Home is completely equipped with the latest ideas in modern home construction”

    Oakland Tribune 1932

    The Spanish View Home and the one next to it were designed and built by Thomas Sharman.

    Oakland Tribune June 26, 1932
    “Spanish View Home” 31 Ascot Lane – Google Maps

    Architectural Prize Home – 1933 – Unknown Location

    I haven’t been able to locate the address of this house. If you recognize it, please let me know.

    Oakland Tribune November 19, 1933

    The Architectural Prize Display Home was designed by Miller & Warnecke. The design was chosen from among 19 individual plans submitted by 11 different architects during a competition in the spring of 1933.

    Oakland Tribune December 10, 1933

    It opened in December 1933. Thirty-nine hundred and eighty-five visitors walked through the home on its opening day, and by the end of the first two weeks, over Seventy-five hundred people had visited the house.

    The home was created with these three principle points:

    1. Moderate in price -well within the means of the average family.
    2. It had to fit the site in Piedmont Pine and take full advantage of the contour of the lot, the size of the lot, the view, and the trees.
    3. It had to set a standard for the future homes to be built in the area.

    Miller & Warnecke had this in mind when they designed the home.

    Oakland Tribune Dec 1933

    There are seven large rooms, including the rumpus room or recreation hall, in the basement. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are on the patio level. The bedrooms are elevated a half story above the living room.

    Oakland Tribune November 26, 1933

    The home was furnished by Breuner’s of Oakland, and L’Hommedieu were the selling agents.

    Pages: 1 2

    Living on the Shore of Lake Temescal

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    In researching Montclair (a district in Oakland), I have come across many interesting stories. Here is one of them.

    “Montclair was wild as a hawk,”

    Walter Wood

    In a 1976 article in The Montclarion entitled “Old Timer Reminisces,” Walter Wood talks about growing up along the shores of Lake Temescal.

    Walter was born in 1887 in a small four-room house near the corner of 51st and Broadway, built by his father and torn down to make room for the widening of 51st. His father died in 1886 before Walter was born.

    When Walter was attending school, he lived with his mother and stepfather, George W. Logan.   They lived on a farm alongside Lake Temescal, where Logan was the caretaker/superintendent for Contra Costa Water Company’s filtering plant that supplied Oakland’s drinking water.

    Oakland Directory 1889-90

    Walter started school at the age of 8 in North Oakland. Wood attended Peralta until fourth grade. From 1899 to 1904, he went to Hays Canyon School for the fifth through ninth grades.

    Walter and his seven brothers and sisters walked from Lake Temescal to Peralta School in North Oakland.

    Walter Wood’s Report Card – The Montclarion 1976

    The Hays Canyon School (where the old Montclair firehouse is) was located two miles from the lake when they walked there in the early 1900s. Sometimes, remember Wood, they rowed a boat to the other end of the lake and walked from there.

    The Montclarion 1976

    The school was a beautiful Victorian one-room building with a bell and cupola. There was room for forty students and one teacher.

    When Walter was 11, he was a mule driver with the crew that dug the first tunnel(Kennedy Tunnel) from Oakland to Contra Costa County. He spent a summer working on the project, earning him the honor of being the first person through the tunnel. He was near the front when they broke through, and a man who looked after Walter gave him a shove and pushed him through.

    The Montclaron 1976

    A Day in the Life

    On a typical Day in 1899, Walter Wood would wake up on the farm and, after breakfast, do an hour’s worth of chores.   

    Lake Temescal in 1898 – The Monclarion 1976

    In addition to their regular chores, the Wood and Logan children were assigned the duty of weed-pulling on the Temescal dam. If weeds grew on the side of the dam, squirrels would dig into the barrier and cause damage.

    Oakland Tribune Nov 1902

    Playtime came on Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Wood and his siblings had run the area, as it was completely undeveloped except for a few farms.

    One of the few farms was the Medau Dairy, where Montclair park is today.

    Medau Dairy– Alameda County: The Eden of the Pacific

    Superintendent Logan

    Oakland Tribune Feb 1889

    George W. Logan started working for the Contra Costa Water Company (now EBMUD) as the Superintendent of the Lake Temescal dam in 1888.

    Oakland Tribune 1889

    Logan worked at Lake Temescal for 18 years; he transferred to Lake Chabot in 1904 and retired from the company in 1916.

    Bubbles Vol. II July 1918

    George William Logan (1842-1928)was born in Canada in 1848. He came to California in the late 1880s.

    Logan was married twice, first to Elizabeth Robinson (1845-1886)in 1884, and they had two children a daughter, Jessie, and a son Maurice. Elizabeth died in about 1886 or 87.

    Oakland Tribune Feb 1906

    His second wife was Mary Jane Hayden Wood (1860-1958); they raised eight children, her five children, his two and their one together.

    • Jesse Logan (1884-1961)
    • Maurice Logan (1886-1977)
    • Harry Logan (1889-1959)
    • Ann Wood (1880- ?)
    • Josephine Wood(1882-1970)
    • Juanita Wood(1883-1934)
    • Alfred Wood (1885-1920)
    • Walter Wood (1887-1990)
    Oakland Tribune 1913

    Maurice Logan

    Maurice (1886 -1977) was an American watercolorist, commercial artist, arts educator, a member of the Society of Six, and a professor at the California College of the Arts in Oakland.

    Oakland Tribune 1977

    Logan grew up on the shores of Lake Temescal, his father, George Logan, stepmother, and brothers and sisters.

    The Logan Family – The Society of Six

    Later in life, he lived on Chabot Road, close to Lake Temescal.

    SF Examiner Oct 28. 1991

    More Info:

    The End

    The Garden Spot of East Oakland

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    Iveywood and the Iveywood Extension are subdivisions in the Elmhurst District.

    1911 City of Oakland Map

    It was the site of the old Ludovina Peralta Ivey homestead. Ludovina was Ignacio Peralta’s daughter and Luis Maria Peralta’s granddaughter.

    The Peralta Land Company was the exclusive agent for Iveywood, and The M.T. Minney Company(Minney-Morse) of Oakland was the exclusive agent for the Iveywood Extension.

    Oakland Tribune

    Both tracts had building restrictions that required each house to cost from $ 1500 to $2000 and that all the homes on each street would be in harmony with those adjoining, ensuring a standard value for both the lot and the house that sits on them. There were also restrictions that prohibited the sale of a lot to Chinese, Japanese, Hindus, Negroes or people of their type.

    Iveywood

    Iveywood is located between East 14th (now International) to Bancroft Ave and 100th Ave and 104th Ave, including Sunnyside St., Birch St., Plymouth St., and Walnut St.

    Looking North Across 106th towards Dante Ave Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising
    The Same area today – google maps
    10460 Dante Ave. In the photo above

    “you live in the city and country both”

    Oakland Tribune Mar 17, 1910

    Iveywood Extension

    Along the Foothill Blvd. Photo by Chaney Photo Advertising.

    Iveywood Extension is located between Bancroft Ave and Foothill Blvd and 104th Ave to the San Leandro border, including Sunnyside St and Dante Ave. Byron St., Voltaire Ave., and Longfellow Ave.

    Iveywood Extension fronts the north side of Foothill Blvd and East 14th Street.

    SF Call 1910

    “A beautiful tract containing 400 lots was placed on the market on October 1, 1910.” 

    Showing Block 26 on 106th between MacArthur and Byron Ave
    Looking South on Voltaire at 106th Ave circa 1911
    Iveywood Extension
    Showing the National Rubber Plant at 105th and Foothill
    Looking south on Voltaire at 106th – today.

    Electric Loop – Southern Pacific

    Southern Pacific Electric Loop -Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising

    Southern Pacific spent several million dollars building the electric interurban train service to Iveywood and Broadmoor. The Southern Pacific electric “Loop System” insured purchasers of lots in Iveywood with perfect transportation to downtown Oakland and San Francisco.

    On 106th in the Iveywood Extension
    Looking East on 108th Ave from Bancroft Ave in Iveywood Extension
    On 106th Ave – Google Maps
    Looking East on 108th AVe from Bancroft – Google Maps

    Model Homes

    Oakland Tribune 1939
    Oakland Tribune 1939
    2300 108th today – Google Maps
    2415 106th today – Google Maps
    Oakland Tribune 1940
    2315 and 2321 109th Ave today – Google Maps

    More Info:

    The End

    Court of All Nations

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    “Homes of Cosmopolitan Architecture”

    Oakland Tribune Mar 29, 1925

    The Court of All Nations is located on Hillen Street (formally Trumbull Street) near Mills College, with a view of the bay and the nearby hills. The group of fifty homes was built in 1925, with the first four starting in January of that year.

    Unique Idea Result of Europe Trip

    The unique idea was brought back by local builder R.C. Hillen after spending five months motoring through Europe in search of ideas for one of his next developments.

    He wanted to reproduce the picturesque homes that dot the hillsides and valleys of European countries.

    The homes are of five and six-room European style with American convenience. Each home is an architectural gem, specially adapted by W.W. Dixon, architect and the editor of the Home Designer Magazine, from sketches Hillen made during that trip.

    They will include patios and landscaped gardens both in front and back.

    Casa Romero

    Casa Rome
    Oakland Tribune May 17, 1925

    Casa Romero is a Spanish-Moorish type, and it opened in ???. The iron grill balconies before the windows and the flower-grown patio with pool and fountain suggest old Spain.

    Oakland Tribune

    W.W. Dixon, who designed Casa Romero, said, ” the name an old Spanish name dating from the days of the Mexican Grants in California.” Casa Romero means the house of the Romeros.

    “‘Casa Romero’ Is All Electrically Equipped: Radio Featured.”

    Oakland Tribune May 17, 1925

    A Pipe-Organ Radio is installed in the living room. The rare acoustic properties of the room, eighteen by thirty-six feet in size and eighteen feet high, were fully utilized. A Radiola super-heterodyne is hidden behind what appears to be pipes of an organ on the balcony above. Using a central control, you could listen by loudspeaker or earphone connections by merely pressing a button.

    The hidden radio – Oakland Tribune 1925
    Casa Romero Today
    Casa Romero Today from Google Maps

    European Style Homes

    Some of the homes were designed along the lines of English cottage architecture, and others suggest French and Italian villa homes with homes from Spain, Norway, or Holland.

    All have charming features and will include a large living room with a unique fireplace, a dining room with a buffet, and a kitchen with all the modern fixtures. Priced from $6500-$7900

    Grand Duke

    The Grand Duke Model Home – Oakland Tribune 1925

    Dixon and Hillen

    Walter W. Dixon (1884-1953)

    Robert C. Hillen (1884-1955)

    Style: Storybook, fairy tale, Hansel & Gretel

    Dixon designed homes and other buildings, alone and with the firm Dixon and Hillen, from about 1910 to 1950, mostly in the East Bay.

    Dixon built grand Storybook houses and houses in other styles and is best known for compact Storybook tract cottages.

    Both were involved under the name of Dixon and Hillen Publishers with the Home Designer Magazine, based in Oakland and printed out of their office at 1844 Fifth Ave. The monthly publication costs $2.50 yearly for a subscription and covers mostly bungalow and Storybook types of homes.

    They also designed the homes on Picardy Drive in Oakland.

    More Info:

    The End