The Montclair Observation Tower was a two-story tower constructed by the Realty Syndicate in 1925 to aid in the sale of homes in the newly developed area of Montclair Highlands.
Every night, the Observation Tower was illuminated by the Idora Park searchlight – “the most powerful searchlight in the world.”
“On a clear day, it is said you could see points as far away as the Farallon Islands.”
Oakland Tribune June 25, 1925
Oakland Tribune June 25, 1925
Oakland Tribune August 16, 1925
Oakland Tribune Jun 21, 1925
The tower was still standing in July 1929. I don’t know when the tower was removed. I have heard that the was heavily damaged in a late-night fire in 1929 or 1930. But I have no proof.
Location of the tower
Near the intersection of Asilomar Drive and Aztec Way.
The name Le Mon Park comes from R.F.D. Le Mon, a New York capitalist, who made his home there after purchasing a large amount of land to develop and build beautiful residences.
Taken from Le Mon Park for the Oakland Tribune Year Book 1938
Trip to Oakland
In 1935 R.F.D. Le Mon (Lemon), a retired Capitalist from New York, came to Oakland searching for real estate to develop and build fine homes. He found the perfect site high up in the Oakland hills with a magnificent panorama of Oakland, the bay, and beyond. He called it Le Mon Park.
Oakland Tribune June 20, 1937
Le Mon purchased 60 acres of panoramic view property in the heart of Piedmont Pines on Castle Drive and Cornwall Court.
From Google Maps
” With an elevation ranging from 1300 to 1400 feet, Le Mon Park in Piedmont Pines commands a view of which its residents can never be deprived.”
Oakland Tribune July 18, 1937
Oakland Tribune
“it’s only a 15-minute drive to the center of things.”
Oakland Tribune
Oakland Tribune June 1937
I’ll take it.
In a 1937 interview, Le Mon recalls his trip to Oakland.
“I was rambling through the pine clad hills,” Le Mon relates when I came across a residence in the course of construction and occupying a magnificent site and commanding view on Ascot Court. In the spur of the moment, he said, “I’ll take it,”
