“The Newspaper With The Hillside Slant”

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Dorothy Londagin

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.

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**

You can look at the above issue here: Montclair Clarion – Oakland Local Wiki

Montclarion

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Various Issues

**Monntclarion June 1949 – Thanks to Chris Treadway**

**Montclarion March 1952 Thanks, Chris Treadway**

Thanks to The Montclarion for their history.

More Info:

The Montclarion – Oakland local wiki
Montclair – East Bay Times
The Montclarion – Facebook

The End

Fountain of Serenity

Posted on December 9, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Updated March 19, 2020

Fountain of Serenity in Knowland State Arboretum and Park. “Serena,” the statue which tops the fountain, inspires calm and courage in the face of worldly troubles. Oakland Tribune

Previous Location

The fountain once graced the gardens of the home of James H. Latham. Latham purchased the land in 1878 from Samuel B. Merritt.

Latham sold the home to Horace H. Seaton in 1885, who sold it, S. Murray, in 1892, who then sold it to Edward G. Lukens in 1897. Lukens, son, was state Senator George R. Lukens.

In its heyday, the old mansion was a showplace. The home was a three-story structure with 25 rooms, a billiard room, a glass conservatory, and a bowling alley in the rear. There was also an ornate two-story barn with a hayloft and with horse stalls.

**Undated – the fountain closer to the right side of the photo.**

The Lukens family lived there until the death of Mrs. Emma Lukens in 1925.

Sometime after the death of Mrs. Lukens, the mansion was purchased by Edger L. Buttner, a civic leader, and electrical contractor.

Oakland Tribune Jan 22, 1928

Barn/Livery Stable

In about 1938, Raoul Pause, a leading Oakland ballet teacher, converted part of the old two-story barn into a ballet studio. Many of the Oakland Ballet’s first dancers were students of Raoul Pause., he was the brother of Paul Pause of Montclair Reality.

In October of 1948, the building was damaged in a fire.

In 1952 the same building was destroyed by another fire. At the time of the fire, the building was being used by the Hotel Senator (a boarding house) as a garage.

In 1957 the mansion was demolished to make room for an apartment complex.

The Fountain Today

The Latham-Ducel Fountain is the centerpiece of Preservation Park. It’s more popularly known as the Diana Fountain. The fountain is cast iron and was forged in Paris in the 1870s.

Latham-Ducel fountain
*photo CC-A from Our Oakland*

My question is that Serena or Diana on the top of the fountain?

More Info:

Western Fuse Company Explosion

E.G. Lukens was the owner of Western Fuse and Explosives Company. See Oakland Local Wiki –

Ordered to Shoot – Alameda Daily Argus Jul 21, 1898

Latham Square Fountain

The Latham Square Fountain is located at the intersection of Telegraph and Broadway in downtown Oakland. It was erected in 1913 as a memorial for James H. Latham and Henrietta Latham by their children and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Lukens Estate Valued at $300,000 – Oakland Tribune Jan 15, 1925
Buggy Found in Old Yard – Oakland Tribune Jan 22, 1928
Landmark is Razed by Fire – Oakland Tribune Mar 23, 1952
$3000 Loss as Dance Studio/Stable Burns – Oakland Tribune Mar 24, 1952
Old Mansion Wrecked – Oakland Tribune May 17, 1957
Fountain of Serenity – Oakland Tribune Aug 31, 1958
Latham Mansion – Oakland Apr 20, 1962

The End.

Attractive Lynn Homes

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Lynn Homes on Nicol Avenue

Eight charming five-room homes of Spanish and Mission architecture were built by Willis F. Lynn on Nicol Avenue. Five of the houses were sold before they were completed. The last three went on sale on June 14, 1925.

Each house has:

Breakfast room or nook
Dining room with built-in buffet
laundry room
Hardwood floors throughout
Automatic water heaters
Separate garage

Priced at $5950.00 in 1925.

MapsNicole Avenue today – Google maps

**2639 Nicol Avenue – today Google Maps**

Lynn Homes on Best Avenue

Another group of homes went on sale on November 15, 1925. Located on Best Avenue between Brookdale and Trask. The houses have an attractive and varied style of architecture.

Each of the homes has six-rooms, a garage, and a laundry room.

Large living room windows
Large convertible breakfast rooms
Wards heating system and Trojan water heaters
Bathrooms with tile floors
Base plugs throughout the house
Lawns and shrubs and fences

Priced at $6950.00 each in 1925

**2506 Best Avenue today – Google maps**

**2495 Best Avenue today – Google Maps**

Two Beautiful Lakeshore Highlands Homes

Lynn also built two homes in the Lakeshore Highlands (Trestle Glen) neighborhood. One at 983 Longridge Road and the other at 957 Sunnyhills Road.

983 Longridge Road

Immense living room
Social Hall with cheerful fireplace
Large dining room
Master bedroom with sleeping porches and dressing room
Maid’s room
Radio wiring to the living room

Priced at $30,000 in 1928

**983 Longridge Road today – Google maps**

957 Sunnyhills Road

Large living room
Breakfast room with built-in cabinets
3 bedrooms with porches
3 bathrooms
Maid’s room
Full basement

Priced at $18,500 in 1928

Another home

The End

Grateful Dead House – Oakland

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

The Grateful Dead once partied at 6024 Ascot Drive in the Piedmont Pines section of Oakland.

In 1948 house at 6024 Ascot Drive was advertised as an ‘ A Little Bit of Mexico” in beautiful Piedmont Hills ( Piedmont Pines), nestled in a glorious 2 1/4 acres: balconies overlooking a beautiful swimming pool. All the tiles in the bathrooms came from the Muresque Tile Co. of Oakland, one of the premier West Coast tilemakers in the 1920s and ’30s. Property highlights include a log cabin family room.

In 1968 Michael Leibert, his wife Alexa, and their 5 dogs lived at 6024 Ascot. Leibert was the founder of the Berkeley Repertory Theater.

The house had a routine existence until sometime during the late sixties, the house was rented by Owsley “Bear” Stanley (1935-2011) was an American audio engineer and chemist.

Stanley was the first known private individual to manufacture mass quantities of LSD. By his own account, between 1965 and 1967, Stanley produced no less than 500 grams of LSD, amounting to a little more than five million doses.

Owsley was a crucial figure in the San Francisco Bay Area hippie movement during the 1960s and played a pivotal role in the decade’s counterculture. Under the professional name Bear, he was the soundman for the rock band the Grateful Dead, whom he met when Ken Kesey invited them to an Acid Test party. As their sound engineer, Stanley frequently recorded live tapes behind his mixing board and developed their Wall of Sound sound system, one of the largest mobile public address systems ever constructed.

Bear: The Life and Times of Augustus Owsley Stanley III
By Robert Greenfield
Google Books

Bear: The Life and Times of Augustus Owsley Stanley III
By Robert Greenfield

In 1972 the house was advertised an authentic Spanish “Villa.” Back on the market.

The house was sold in 2012 for 1.2 million dollars. A September 2012 article, “Rest Your Head Where the Grateful Dead Once Partied,” was posted on the Curbed San Francisco website.

More Info –

LSD King Bail Revoked – Oakland Tribune Jul 22, 1970
LSD KIng held to Answer – Oakland Tribune October 29, 1970
Owsley Stanley – Wikipedia
Rest Your Head Where the Grateful Dead Partied – SF Curbside
Grateful Dead House – Oakland Local Wii
6024 Ascot – Realtor.Com

The End

Toler Heights – The Homes

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

The Toler Heights subdivision changed hands so many times before the 1930, it seems they never really got around to selling the area with photos of new homes being built. The following is all I could find.

Lawlor Street

9703 Lawlor Street

**Oakland Tribune Oakland Tribune Oct 27,1913**
**Address now is 9703 Lawlor St**

Liquor Raid 9703 Scott St – Oakland Tribune Jun 22, 1928

**9703 Lawlor St – today**
**Google Maps**

**Unknown location**
**SF Examiner May 1922**

MacArthur Blvd

**Along Foothill Blvd (now MacArthur) circa 1919**
**Photographer: Cheney Photo Advertising Company**

**Another view of photo above – circa 1919**
**Photographer: Cheney Photo Advertising Company**

**9224 and 9230 MacArthur today – Google Maps**

8802 MacArthur Blvd –

Thermal Street

8727 Thermal Street – built 1917

The End

1933 – Oakland Hills Fire

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

The fire started in the Redwood Road area and raced through to Sequoia Park (Joaquin Miller Park), down Dimond Canyon, and spread into Shepard Canyon.

The fire, which began around 7 am on November 13, 1933, swept through the East Oakland Hills, burning a man to death, injuring two others, and destroying at least a dozen homes. It was under control by 2 pm.

The municipal zoo in Sequoia Park (now Joaquin Miller Park) was surrounded by a ring of flames as the fire approached the animal cages. The zookeepers were preparing to shoot the animals, but the fire stopped just 100 yards from the cages.

‘The Abbey’ is Spared

The flames spread through the homestead of the late Joaquin Miller and destroyed the home of Miller’s late mother, which was occupied by his widow, who was 83. Many of her treasures were lost, but she escaped. The historic Abbey was saved!

Shift in Wind

At 9:20 a.m., the fire approached the Sequoia Riding Club at 2923 Mountain Blvd. The stable grooms led the frightened horses through the smoke to safety, and a shift in the wind saved the stables.

Mrs. Abbie L. Miller, widow of Joaquin Miller, with her niece
Carmela Ward and a couple of the 60 horses she rescued.
Juanita Miller helping fight the fire

Removing the body of Wm J. La Marr, who burned to death
All that was left of one hillside home
Schoolboys who went to class to fight the flames along Mountain Blvd

List of Homes

More Info:

Fighting the East Oakland Fire – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
When a Bush Fire Swept Over Oakland Hills – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
Hill Forest Blaze Driven in Residence Area By High Wind. – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
200 Animals at City Zoo Crazed by Smoke – Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933

The End

The Pines

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

“The Pines” was the beautiful home and surrounding gardens of Mr. and Mrs. Philip E. Bowles. Built-in 1910, it stood at No. 2 Bowling Drive in what is now Rockridge (I guess).

**From the map/brochure** **Rock Ridge properties, Oakland, California**

Land Purchased

In 1909, Philip E. Bowles purchased 51 acres (58 acres in some publications) of land in “Claremont Hills,” adjoining the Horatio P Livermore Homestead. Bowles was the president of the First National Bank of Oakland and a Regent of the University of California from 1911-22.

He signed a contract to erect a residence that would cost $31,000. The Architect was L.B. Dutton. He engaged an expert landscaper who designed the estate’s grounds by following Bowles’s plans.

The home, built in the Italian Villa style, had twenty-two rooms and a full basement. It had six master bedrooms, dressing rooms, five bathrooms, three sleeping porches, a library, a drawing room, and a conservatory.

The house and grounds had a fascinating view of the bay and surrounding country.

Inside the home

Gardens

Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Bowles on a garden path at The Pines

The home was surrounded by a veritable forest filled with quail and dotted with miniature lakes stocked with large rainbow trout and a well-stocked bass pond.

There was a Japanese Tea garden with pools containing rare goldfish, golden carp, and unusual aquatic plants.

There was also a tennis court, a swimming pool, an oversized garage, and a horse stable with a trotting park.

Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Bowles on a garden path at The Pines

Mr. Bowles purchased from all over the world; he bought the best. The rhododendrons were especially lovely.

Architecture & Engineer of California Magazine issue featured the home. It states the architect was L.B. Dutton. Architecture & Engineer of California Jan 1911, pg. 204 –

High Society at The Pines

Many dances and social events were held at The Pines.

In 1912, the Bowles’s daughter Amy married Hiram Johnson Jr., the son of Governor Hiram W. Johnson. The wedding was held at The Pines.

Death of P.E. Bowles

On January 20, 1926, Philip Bowles died at 67.

Possible Park

Mayor Davie urged the city of Oakland Park board to purchase land and a home for $700,000for a public playground or park. That fell through.

Claremont Pines

In May of 1927, a year after Philip Bowles died, Mrs. Bowles sold the entire estate to a group of men from southern California, and they hired the York Company, Inc. of Oakland to handle development and sales.

The York company subdivided the land and called it Claremont Pines, combining the name of the nearby district with the name of the Bowles Estate.

In 1927 or 1928, Andrew Williams of the Andrew Williams Store, a local grocery chain, purchased the home at No. 2 Bowling Drive.

After spending two years remodeling and adding new furniture, including expensive Persian rugs, Williams put the home up for sale in 1932

The Wrecking Ball

In 1938, the main house was destroyed by the wrecking and sold off piece by piece—a sad ending to a home that was just 28 years old.

Bowles Hall – UC Berkeley

In 1928, in memory of her husband, Mrs. Bowles donated $250,000 to the University of California to build a dormitory for men, wholly and appropriately furnished, on or near the University campus in Berkeley. It is known as Bowles Hall.

Announcement of Mary Bowles’ Gift: March 19, 1927

Caretaker House

A caretaker house was located at the front gates of the estate. It stood at the portal through the high metal-spiked fence around the estate. The five-room bungalow, which formally served as the guardian of the estate, was used as the tract office from 1928- 1948.

It was at this little cottage where the streetcar once stopped.

In 1948, the cottage was sold to Charles Ray Jr. of 1028 85th Avenue, and he placed it on the lot next to his.

More Info:

Horse Show – Oakland Tribune July 27, 1924
The Pines sold – Oakland Tribune May 03, 1927
Magnificent Estate Placed on Market – Oakland Tribune October 09, 1927
Claremont Pines Opens – SF Examiner October 08, 1927
Work on Claremont Pines Tract – Oakland Tribune October 30, 1927
Last of the Bowles Home Moved – Oakland Tribune July 18, 1948
Claremont Pines: An Estate Transformed – OHA Spring 2013

Photographs

Views of “The Pines” Estate – by Gabriel Moulin, ca. 1927
Claremont Pines – By Cheney Photo Advertising

The End

Melrose Highlands- Part 2

Posted on July 13, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

In 1935 Phil Heraty, a local real estate agent and developer, took over the sales of Melrose Highlands.

Colonial Village – 1935

A type of English brick was used on the exterior of a few houses that were built in 1935.

**Oakland Tribune June 1935** – **7773 Greenly Drive**

**Oakland Tribune July 1935** – **7765 Greenly Drive**

Both the houses are on Greenly Drive, they are side by side at 7765 and 7775.

Heraty to Build 100 Homes – Jan 1940

Cape Cod Colonial – 7776 Sterling Drive

Six generous sized rooms with light-filled upstairs bedrooms. Downstairs has the living room, dinette, and kitchen. Detached Garage. Price $4150.00.

The present-day photo below. I see they made a room out of the garage.

7225 Sterling Drive – 1940

Heraty Homes – Greenly Drive

Forty new -home owners have moved into Melrose Highlands since his organization became the selling agents
said Heraty – Oakland Tribune Sept 08, 1940
said Heraty – Oakland Tribune Sept 08, 1940

New Economy Home at 8108 Greenly Drive – 1940

Building Progress in Melrose Highlands

Below is about 8032 Fontaine Street, which was lost due to the construction of the freeway.

Beautiful Melrose Highlands – 1941

In May of 1941, a furnished “Model Home’ opened in Melrose Highlands at 8033 Fontaine Street.

Built to Order in Melrose Highlands – 1941

A Garden Showplace on Greenly Drive

The home of R.E. Derby on 7757 Greenly Drive was featured in the garden section on the Oakland Tribune in July of 1939.

their principal concern was, what to do with the “mud hole” in the backyard.
R.E Derby – July 16, 1939
R.E Derby – July 16, 1939

The End

10 Overlake Court –

Posted on July 11, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

10 Overlake Court –

Oriental Theme in Small Home

Oriental (now we would say Asian) theme in a small home. The five-room home is located at 10 Overlake Court above the Montclair Pool (Swim and Racquet Club).

It was designed with both far Eastern ideas and California architecture. Oil finished wood in a natural color, accented with Chinese red in finish and outside trim, grasscloth wallpaper, and bamboo moldings were some of the Eastern ideas.

The living room opens onto a private garden with beautiful oak trees. The house is somewhat like a modern ‘farmhouse’ with an exterior of oiled, heart redwood, and an off-white limestone finished roof with wide overhanging eaves.

With many red brick window boxes and large glass areas of windows that are divided into horizontal panes, creating a streamlined effect that is unusual in residential construction. A large circular grille in the garage door was also new and different.

Montclair’s Most Talked-of Home

I don’t know who designed the home, but it was built by Robert Darmsted of Pinehaven Road. The Darmsted’s moved to Montclair in about 1920.

From 1924

Another local Montclarion F.A. Christopherson, who lived on Abbott Drive in the Merriewood area, did the brickwork.

From 1944

Modern with “oriental touch.” Delightful patio. Price at $6450.00 in 1940.

It is priced in the low 30’s! – 1964

A true hideaway on a secluded cul-de-sac with a gorgeous living room in Japanese style. Price $289,000 in 1992.

The End

Melrose Highlands is Healthier!

Posted on July 9, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

Melrose Highlands is the area off Keller Avenue to the King Estates Open Space, Field Street, and Crest Avenue – The area is now called Eastmont Hills.

Melrose Highlands to Open

Melrose Highlands is a part of the ‘old Houston ranch” (I have to find out more about Houston, I think it might be Hewston), and a portion of the property was used by the National Guard as a rifle range ( see my blog here). It lies between Leona Heights and Sequoia Country Club and the Upper San Leandro filter plant (7700 Greenly Drive) on the west side.

The tract opened on July 19, 1925

C.P. Murdock was the developer and sales agent for Melrose Highlands.

Melrose Highlands location was ideal for the people to be employed in the industrial plants of East Oakland. It was up the hill from the Chevrolet Assembly plant that opened a few years before.

They offered a lot and a completely built home on easy terms. A homesite and building material, or just a homesite, could be purchased.

3 Offers to pick from

House and homesite complete – $100 down and $1 a day.
Homesite and material for a house – $50 down and 75c. a day
Homesite – $25 down and 50c.a day

These homes were complete and comfortable, from the concrete foundations to the plastered walls. A sink, wash basin, toilet, and bathtub are included in the price. The kitchens had built-in cabinets.

**On Keller Avenue – Oakland Tribune August 23, 1925**

A group of 12 homes was almost complete. Oakland Tribune – July 26, 1925

“In Melrose Highlands we are going to give the working man a chance to get the sort of house to which he has long looked for “

C.P. Murdock, Inc. –
Oakland Tribune – July 12, 1925

Transportation

CP Murdock established a bus line that ran on a regular schedule designed to appeal to the wage earners of the industrial district.

“Men can reach their work, women can go shopping, and children can get to high school, from Melrose Highlands”
August 23, 1925

A.J. Krajnc and His Home In Melrose Highlands

In September 1925, Anton J. Krajnc moved into his new home with his wife and daughter. This was his first time buying a home and the first family on Earl Street.

“It’s Paying Me To Live In Melrose Highlands”

A.J. Krajnc

From the 1928 Directory – 234 is now 7957 Earl Steet

The Adams home on Earl Street

The new home of William E. Adams on Earl Street. Their home was located at lot No. 232, now 7941 Earl Street, but the houses don’t look the same.

“Croup Cured by Warm Climate of Melrose Highlands”

“I am so glad we moved to Melrose Highlands,” states Mrs. W Booth. “Over on 64th Avenue, I was up almost every night taking care of one or more children suffering from croup.”

“Melrose Highlands is healtier.”
Mrs Boothe 1926

**1927 Directory – Anderson Street is now Kelller Avenue**

**The Booth Home today 7908 Earl Street – Google Maps**

Moved from San Francisco to Melrose Highlands

“I still work in San Francisco as a molder, and find that by taking my car over to the Seminary Southern Pacific Station I get home at night by 5:45.”

**A similar house to theirs – Google Maps**

Homes and Life in Melrose Highlands

Many New Homes

New School for Melrose Highlands

In 1923 the “Columbia Park School” was built on Sunkist Drive. It was next to the home of Susie Thompson and her husband Roy, who lived at 6886 Sunkist Drive.

Mrs. Thompson was the custodian of the one-room school building for three years when only 14 families lived in the area.

The school was later destroyed in a high wind, replaced by a new school (down the street), and then renamed the Charles Burckhalter School. Oakland Tribune, May 10, 1969.

Glad I Moved to Melrose Highlands

In January 1927, a new store was opened by John G. Koch. The store was located at 7979 Macarthur (give or take a few numbers). The building was later in the way of construction of the MacArthur Freeway (580).

“We have a fast-growing community here, and as fine a place to live as any could want”

J. Koch, the first grocer in Melrose Highlands

More Melrose Highlands Homes

The picture below shows the progress of Melrose Highlands as of June 1926. The streets with the most homes are Earl Street, Winthrop Street, Keller Avenue, and Greenly Drive.

More Info:

In Melrose Highlands – Oakland Tribune January 31, 1926
Large Sales in Melrose are Reported – Oakland Tribune May 2, 1926
Own Homes in Melrose Highlands – Oakland Tribune April 24, 1927

To be continued with the next phase of homes built in the 1930s to 1940s

Updated June 2023

Montclair Clarion

Montclarion

The Montclarion

Various Issues

Thanks to The Montclarion for their history.

More Info:

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Previous Location

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Lynn Homes on Nicol Avenue

Lynn Homes on Best Avenue

Two Beautiful Lakeshore Highlands Homes

Another home

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Lawlor Street

9703 Lawlor Street

MacArthur Blvd

8802 MacArthur Blvd –

Thermal Street

8727 Thermal Street – built 1917

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‘The Abbey’ is Spared

Shift in Wind

List of Homes

More Info:

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Land Purchased

Inside the home

Gardens

High Society at The Pines

Death of P.E. Bowles

Possible Park

Claremont Pines

The Wrecking Ball

Bowles Hall – UC Berkeley

Caretaker House

More Info:

Photographs

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Colonial Village – 1935

Heraty to Build 100 Homes – Jan 1940

Cape Cod Colonial – 7776 Sterling Drive

7225 Sterling Drive – 1940

Heraty Homes – Greenly Drive

New Economy Home at 8108 Greenly Drive – 1940

Building Progress in Melrose Highlands

Beautiful Melrose Highlands – 1941

Built to Order in Melrose Highlands – 1941

A Garden Showplace on Greenly Drive

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Oriental Theme in Small Home

Montclair’s Most Talked-of Home

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Melrose Highlands to Open

Transportation

A.J. Krajnc and His Home In Melrose Highlands

The Adams home on Earl Street

“Croup Cured by Warm Climate of Melrose Highlands”

Moved from San Francisco to Melrose Highlands

Homes and Life in Melrose Highlands