Posted in Model/Display Homes

26 Ascot Court – Piedmont Pines

Model Home Opens

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

Oakland Tribune – Oct 07, 1934
See here

 

in 2019 from Realtor.Com

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.

 

Architect and Engineer October 1936

 

Architect and Engineer October 1936

 

Architect and Engineer October 1936

 

Architect and Engineer October 1936

 

Architect and Engineer October 1936 –

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.

 

From Realtor.com

 

Realtor.Com

 

Realtor.Com

More Info:

The End

Posted in Model/Display Homes

Style House in Piedmont Pines

The Tribune Jackson Style House – 5937 Chelton Drive

Updated August 2025

The “Style House” opened to the public in April 1935. Over 1500 visitors passed through the home that first weekend.

Local architect Frederick L. Confer designed the home in collaboration with James H. Anderson, and the builder was James Armstrong.

The agents for the house were Mitchell & Austin, with Harry Stockman as the agent in charge.

The Jackson Furniture Company entirely furnished the house.

The View Then and Now

Oakland Tribune, March 31, 1935
The view now

Award-Winning

The house is a modified Regency-type design. And it won an award for the distinguished “house of seven rooms or less” in the fourth Biennial Exhibition of American Architects. The house has also been called Monterey Style. Color is used abundantly throughout the house. The exterior is painted white with mustard color shutters.

Oakland Tribune, July 14, 1935

The Style House was built amongst the pine trees on a site with an inspiring view of the bay. A prize-winner at a recent exhibition in San Francisco by the American Institute of Architecture, the “Style House with its novel Regency architecture,…remains one of the outstanding demonstration in the history of Eastbay real estate.”

Oakland Tribune August 25, 1935

Unique Home and Cozy Interior

The living room, with a vaulted ceiling, features French doors that open to the delightful front patio and the rear deck, offering stunning SF and Bay views.

Oakland Tribune 1935

The floor plan features a full bath and a spacious bedroom on the main level, complete with French doors that open to the patio. There are two additional large rooms, one of which features a deck to take in the views. The lower level features a bedroom, ideal for a family/rumpus room, a half bath, a generous laundry/craft room with a workstation, and a storage area—a two-car garage.

Oakland Tribune, March 31, 1935

On opening day, a local Ford Dealer had a brand new Ford V8 parked outside the house.

Oakland Tribune, March 31, 1935
Oakland Tribune, March 31, 1935

Oakland Tribune, April 16, 1944
Oakland Tribune May 8, 1955

More on the Style House –

The End

Posted in Model/Display Homes, Tract or Subdivisions

Hawthorne House – Sheffield Village

Display Home – Sheffield Village Opens Mar 1941

Located at 168 Marlow Drive in Sheffield Village.  Completely furnished by  Jackson Furniture Company

E.B. Field Corporation, owners and builders of Sheffield Village.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Mar_30__1941_ (5)
Oakland Tribune March 30, 1941

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Mar_30__1941_
Oakland Tribune March 30, 1941

oakland_tribune_sun__mar_30__1941_-3.jpg

168 Marlow Ave
168 Marlow Drive Today google maps

Posted in Homes, Model/Display Homes, Tract or Subdivisions

Oakmore Highlands Homes

Oakland Tribune

According to the above article, the first home was constructed for Erwin Howell. The two-story colonial was erected at 4065 Oakmore Road.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jun_5__1927_ (1)
Oakland Tribune June 5, 1927
Oakland Tribune June 5, 1927
4065 Oakmore Road
4065 Oakmore Road – Google Maps

1924 Hoover Avenue

Oakland Tribune Sept 1927
Oakland Tribune Sept 25, 1927
1924 Hoover St
1924 Hoover Street
  • Spanish Style
  •  Grace Clifford
  • Frederick H Reimers Architect
  • Irwin Reimers Builder
  • 1927
  • Google Maps

1941 Hoover Avenue

Oakland Tribune November 27, 1927
Oakland Tribune November 27, 1927
1941 Hoover Ave
1941 Hoover Avenue – Google Maps

4420 Bridgeview Drive

Oakland Tribune 1928
Bestor robinson
The Bestor Robinson Home – 4420 Bridgeview Drive

3992 Oakmore Road

Oakland Tribune May 1927
Oakland Tribune Jun 1927
3992 Oakmore
3992 Oakmore Road
  • English Cottage
  • Marie Wheeler – owner
  • Florence Wheeler – owner
  • 1927
  • Google Map

4125 Oakmore Road

Oakland Tribune Jun 1927
Oakland Tribune Jun 5 1917
4125 Oakmore road
4125 Oakmore Road  – Bing Maps
  • Italian Design
  • John G. Evans Owner
  • 1927
  •  Bing Maps

3921 Oakmore Road

Oakland Tribune Mar 20, 1927
3921 Oakmore Rd
3921 Oakmore Road – Google Maps

4350 Bridge View Drive

Oakland Tribune June 23, 1929
4350 Brideview
4350 Bridge View Drive – from Google Maps
  • Spanish Style
  • A.H. Monez – owner
  • 1929
  • Google map

4266 Edge Street

Oakland Tribune Jun 5, 1927
Oakland Tribune Jun 1927
4266 Edge
4266 Edge Street – Google Maps
  • Spanish Style
  • Lewis W. Jefferson Owner
  • Carl Jefferson Owner
  • Dec 1927
  • Google Maps

3956 Oakmore Road

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Apr_8__1928_
Oakland Tribune 1928
3956 Oaklmore troad
3956 Oakmore Road

1921 Rosecrest Drive

1921 Rosecrest Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jun_2__1935_
Oakland Tribune 1935
1921 Rosecresr
1921 Rosecrest Drive
  • Monterey Colonial
  • Chester H. Treichel Architect
  • 1935
  • Realtor.Com

The End

Posted in History, Model/Display Homes, Tract or Subdivisions

Oakmore Highland Model Homes

Breuner-Tribune Home June 1934

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jan_21__1934_
Oakland Tribune Jun 1934
1774 Liedmet
1774 Leimert Blvd –  Google maps

Display Homes of 1934

New homes at 1746 Leimert, 1808 Leimert and 1816 Leimert – Sept 1934

1746 Leimert-COLLAGE

1746 Leimert, 1808 Leimert and 1816 Leimert

Just a few of the homes in the Oakmore Highlands Neighborhood.

The End

Posted in History, Model/Display Homes

The Ward-Way – Homes by Montgomery Ward Co.

Oakland Tribune Apr 28, 1940

In the 1940s, Montgomery Ward, through its building services department, sold pre-fabricated homes to be built by local contractors.  They would supply everything necessary to build your home.

“The Ward Way method of building and furnishing is a simplified system of obtaining built to order home,”  states Ralph Jarvis  Ward-Way representative 

Oakland Tribune Oct 27, 1940

 

I found information on ten or so homes built “The Ward-Way.”   I am basing this solely on what I see in the Oakland Tribune.  With that in mind, my list may not be perfect due to errors in the paper.  I am not perfect, either.   If possible, I have included a picture of the house as it is today.  All these homes were built in 1940.

Oakland’s Home Built The Ward Way

  • 4225 Lincoln Ave – Lincoln Highlands
  • 4215 Lincoln Ave – Lincoln Highlands
  • 3598 Lincoln Ave – Upper Dimond
  • 3917 Whittle Ave – Upper Dimond
  • 3001 Logan – Meadow Brook Fruitvale
  • 1991 Magellan Dr. – Montclair Highlands
  • 6024 Leona St – Leona Heights
  • 9909 Murillo Ave – Oak Knoll
  • 7879 Michigan Ave – Eastmont Hills
  • 2227 85th Ave – Castlemont
  • 1615 82nd Ave  – Webster

Here are a few:

4225 Lincoln Ave

4225 Lincoln Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jun_9__1940_

3917 Whittle Ave

1991 Magellan

9909 Murillo Ave

Oakland Tribune Oct 27, 1940

7879 Michigan Ave

2227 85th Ave

1615 82nd Ave

1615 82nd ave
Google Map

6024 Leona St

The End

Posted in Early Montclair, Model/Display Homes

Le Mon Park Section of Piedmont Pines

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. 

12697230_10206109845886030_5814170892301800655_o
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_Sun__Jun_20__1937_ (1)
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,”

Oakland Tribune Jun 20, 1937

The Model Homes

  • Coronation House – 1937
  • Villadora – The House of Gold – 1937
  • Fremont House – 1937
  • Penthouse – 1938
  • Weybridge Gables – 1938
  • Chateau Longue-Vue – 1939
  • Maison Normandie – 1940

More Info:

The End

Posted in Model/Display Homes, Tract or Subdivisions

Spanish Home for Smith Reserve

Updated Jan 2021

A Spanish Type Home for Smith Reserve”

Oakland Tribune December 15, 1929.

Casa maria luisa Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Dec_15__1929_(1)
Oakland Tribune, December 15, 1929

“The Casa Maria Luisa,”  the first of the “Daughter of Peralta” homes, will open an exhibition residence with imported furnishings in Smith Reserve (now the Piedmont Pines section of Montclair in Oakland) after January 1, 1930. It was fully decorated by the H.C. Capwell Company and sold by the Realty Syndicate.

Oakland Tribune, April 27, 1930

Casa Maria Luisa, when completely furnished, represented an investment of $50,000.

“Master craftsmen have been employed in building and furnishing this usual home”

Oakland Tribune January 19, 1930

One of the noted Cathedral Artists stenciled the beams and ceilings, lighting fixtures from rare old-world patterns, and overhanging balconies with heavy doors reminiscent of early Spanish California. Oriental rugs of Spanish design are made to order. The house had numerous 1930s state-of-the-art features, including a Walker Electric Sink in the kitchen.

Oakland Tribune January 12, 1930

Casa Maria Luisa occupies three wooded lots with a panoramic view. They surrounded the home with rare shrubs, plants, and Monterey and Cypress Trees.

Casa Maria Luisa opened to rave reviews, claiming to be

“the most beautiful and popular home ever shown in Oakland.” 

SF Examiner, April 5, 1930

Forty-six thousand people toured Casa Masa Luisa through April 1930.

Oakland Tribune, April 13, 1930

In 1931, the Oakland Tribune Yearbook named it one of the most beautiful homes of that year.

Oakland Tribune January 19, 1930

William and Cordelia Wanderforde purchased the home in about 1931.

In 1987, a couple bought the home from its original owner, Cordelia, who had lived there for some 50 years. They spent a lot of money repairing and updating the house.

  • 6514 Ascott Drive
  • Built 1929-30
  • Smith Reserve (Piedmont Pines)
  • Realty Syndicate
  • Hamilton Murdock – Architect
  • Opened in 1930 for a $18,500
  • Last sold in 1997 for $698,000
6514 Ascot Drive Casa Maria Luisa
Casa Maria Luisa Today – from Google Maps.

More Info:

The End

Posted in Model/Display Homes

Honeymoon Haven

Honeymoon Haven – 13049 Broadway Terrace – opened Jun 1935

A five-room residence planned to harmonize perfectly with it’s charming among pines.”  Oakland Tribune June 16, 1935

The home sits on 1/4 acre lots among the pines.

“1000 People attended the opening of Honeymoon Haven” – Oakland Tribune June 23, 1935

  • Merriewood Tract
  • Spanish -Colonial
  • George Windsor- builder
  • Jackson’s Furnishers of Homes
  • Phil Heraty – Real Estate Agent
  • Price – $4740
  • Sold $783,000 – 2015

Realtor info on home

Honeymoon Haven in 1935 and Honeymoon Haven in 2017

From the Oakland Tribune 1935