Oakmore Highlands

Posted on July 21, 2018 by Dorothy Londagin

Rolling Hills of Oakmore circa 1920’s – Oakland History Room

Natural beauty abounds in the 150 acres of wooded, rolling hills that comprise the Oakmore District or Oakmore Highlands. The Walter H. Leimert Company laid out the subdivision with wide streets and ample sidewalks. See Oakmore Highland History

The Leimert Bridge was designed in 1926, by George A. Posey, to safely accommodate vehicle traffic, Park Boulevard Streetcars, and pedestrians.

The Leimert Bridge during construction and in 1926, Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising

The original subdivision was bordered by Sausal Creek and Dimond Canyon. During the initial sales period, sound design was promoted through a model open house program called the ‘Oakmore Home Ideal’ where buyers could visit a custom home designed by local architects Miller & Warnecke.

Later, in 1934, The Leimert Company teamed with the Oakland Tribune and Breuner’s Furniture Company to furnish a demonstration model home that drew 8,000 visitors in three weeks.

Oakland Tribune June 28, 1934

The following year another Breuner’s furnished house was nicknamed “Golden Windows” to highlight the extensive use of glass on the view side of the home and the commanding views from the subdivision.

Oakland Tribune August 1934

Real Estate Developer: Walter H. Leimert Company
Contractors: Park Boulevard Company
Property Managers: Mitchell & Austin
150 Acres, 4 tracts 440 lots
Sales began in October 1926

Photos

Aerial view of upper Dimond Canyon and surrounding, still mostly undeveloped, neighborhoods, Leimert Bridge visible in the foreground. – 1926-1936 Oakland History Room

Aerial view of Dimond Canyon – 1926-1936 – Oakland History Room

Various Articles

Oakland Tribune Jan 05, 1927

College Pines

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Dorothy Londagin

ohrphoto.districts.109 — Broadway Terrace @ Ostrander St. Photo from Oakland History Room.

College Pines is located at the corner of Broadway Terrace and Harbord Drive location(formally Edith), just past the Claremont Country Club. The name of College Pines was chosen because of the close proximity to the College of the Sisters of Holy Names, a new High School.

The sales office was located at the corner of Broadway Terrace and Ostrander Road, as seen above.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jun_12__1932_ — Oakland Tribune June 12, 1932

Below are pictures of Broadway Terrace and Chetwoood and Broadway Terrace, and Harbord Drive. They were taken in 1933 and are from the Oakland Public Library History Room.

ohrphoto.districts.111 — Harbord Drive and Broadway Terrace in 1933 – Oakland History Room Photo

ohrphoto.districts.110 — Broadway Terrace and Clarewood Drive in 1933 – Oakland History Room photo

The homesites front on along Harbord Drive for about a half-mile or more. The lots were priced at $27.00 per foot. A forty-foot lot would cost $1075.00, with a low down payment and easy terms. Sold by the Claremont Pines Corporation and later Michell & Austin.

Oakland Tribune June 1932

Holy Names Central High School was built on Harbord Drive and opened in 1934.

Display Homes

In December of 1933, the first display home opened at 4339 Harbord Drive. The house had eight rooms with two baths and a 14 x 32-foot rumpus room, and

“pleasing features galore.”
Oakland Tribune Dec 1933

The house was priced at $6850 and was recently sold in 2016 for $1,360,000.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Dec_31__1933_ (2) — Oakland Tribune Dec 1933

In September of 1934, another display home was opened at 4347 Harbord Drive. The green and white wood and brick cottage and two bedrooms and a den or nursery, and a large playroom. The house was priced at $6500, with just a $75 down payment and $75 a month. The home recently sold for $825,000 in 2012.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Sep_30__1934_ (1) — Oakland Tribune Sept 1934

Misc. ads for homes

Update:

The stone pillar is still there at the corner of Broadway Terrace and Ostrander Street.

**Broadway Terrace and Ostrander St 2018 – Photo from Google Maps**

The End

Casa Altadena

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Dorothy Londagin

In Smith Reserve

“Atop one of the knolls, commanding full advantage of the ever-changing vistas, is Casa Altadena, the distinctive exhibition home of Realty Syndicate. Company”
SF Examiner February 11, 1928

Casa Altadena is of Spanish architecture. It occupies a knoll overlooking beautiful wooded vistas and canyons on one side and a panorama of the bay on the other.

Opening Day

Over 500 people attended the opening on January 29, 1929.

Casa Altadena reflects the discerning taste of its decorators, who sought to incorporate the romance of the Peraltas into its furnishings.

**One of the rooms in Casa Altadena – Oakland Tribune January 29, 1928**

Details include its tiled roof, arched doorways, decorative tiles, wood trims, antique wall sconces, and decorative wrought-iron work.

Casa Altadena Today

Casa Altadena
Smith Reserve (Piedmont Pines)
Open January 29, 1928
Spanish design
Realty Syndicate
Still there
6401 Chelton Drive

Location on Google Maps

More Info:

House Looks Over Vista of Bay and Hills – SF Examiner February 11, 1928

Updated July 17, 2020

The End

Spanish Home for Smith Reserve

Posted on October 25, 2017 by Dorothy Londagin

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. Fully decorated by H.C. Capwell company and sold by the Realty Syndicate.

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 reminiscent of early Spanish California with heavy doors. Oriental rugs of Spanish design are made to order. The house had numerous 1930’s state-of-the-art features, including a Walker Electric Sink in the kitchen.

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.”

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

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

William and Cordelia Wanderforde purchased the home in about 1931.

In 1987 a couple bought the home from the original owner Cordelia who had lived there for some 50 years. They put a lot of money into 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 1997 for $698,000

6514 Ascot Drive Casa Maria Luisa — Casa Maria Luisa Today – from Google Maps.

More Info:

Spanish Type Home to Open –Oakland Tribune January 12, 1930
46,000 See Display Home – SF Examiner April 5, 1930

A Bit of History

Oakland Unfolded

Category Archives: Tract or Subdivisions