A while back, I was doing a simple search on buildings in Montclair. I came across this article (posted below) from 1962, with the attached photo. It was about the destruction of the building that was to be replaced with a new $125,000 building. The new building was called the Eberhart Building.
Of course, I needed to learn more about the building that was now just a pile of rubbish, as seen in the photo above.
Location of the building – google maps
The photo above shows the structure as it looks today. In researching the address, I found that the real estate firm Winder and Gahan first occupied the site in 1938.
According to the article from 1962 – In 1921, a group of real estate men stood with “high hopes” in front of a small Spanish-style stucco building that looked entirely out of place in the open fields of the Montclair District.
“There was just a building with a sign “tract office” on it, the open fields and a dusty, narrow road in in front of it.”
This is probably how Montclair looked when that group of men stood in from of the building “with high hopes.” I don’t think they were standing in front of the same building demolished in 1962, as noted in the article. Unless it is one the right, and they moved it and changed its style?
Sales offices of real estate brokers and home builder Cos Williams 6501 Moraga Photo c1921 by Cheney Photo Advertising F-2830 Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
Cos Williams office is the small building on the left in the above picture. The street going uphill is La Salle Avenue. The address was 6501 Moraga Avenue.
Oakland Tribune Oct 31, 1925
New Real Estate Firm in Montclair
In 1933 A.H. WInder opened an office at the corner of Moraga Avenue and La Salle Avenue. The address was 6500 Moraga Avenue.
Oakland Tribune Sept 24, 1933
Winder was the exclusive sales agent for the Forest Park extension and Shepherd Canyon Park.
I bet you are wondering what this has to do with the building at 2070 Mountain Blvd. Trust me; it will all make sense soon.
In 1936 A.H. WInder and J. J. Gahan formed a new firm called “Winder & Gahan Corporation.”
Oakland Tribune Sep 24,1936
New Location Announced
“With the expiration of their present lease at 6500 Moraga Avenue,” states A.H.Winder, “we will build a new office on the on the recently -acquired site, using a frontage of 72 feet on Mountain Boulevard”
Oakland Tribune Oct 1937
Oakland Tribune Oct 24, 1937
In 1937 the real estate firm of Winder and Gahan announced the recent purchase by the firm of a piece of land (Block “H”) in the heart of the business district, near the intersection of Moraga Avenue and Mountain Boulevard.
Block H – 2070 Mountain Blvd
The Heart of Montclair Business Center
Oakland Tribune Feb 25, 1940
Winder & Gahan moved into their new office at 2070 Mountain Boulevard in November 1938.
Oakland Tribune Mar 05, 1939
It would eventually be the home of Eberhart Realty. I am not sure exactly when they moved to 2070 Mountain Boulevard.
Oakland Tribune May 20, 1962
2070 Mountain Blvd Google maps
My Research
Montclair from 1935 Courtesy East Bay Regional Park District.
The above picture shows “Block H,” an empty piece of land (the small triangle). In 1938 Winder & Gahan built their new offices there. That small building would be there until 1962. It was destroyed by a bulldozer, as noted in the first article I posted above.
Maybe they moved the other building in the photo from 1921 and updated, enlarged, and added stucco. The more I looked at photo
6466 Moraga on the right
I think the building on the right is the oldest in Montclair now and in 1962 it one of least two buildings that were from the 1920s. I do think after looking at the picture from the 1920s that it is quite possible that it the same building that was moved and became the Winder offices.
The grey building on the left is probably from that same era.
I have shared a few of the photos from an album entitled “Lakeshore Highlands” that was prepared for Frederick Law Olmsted who was hired by Walter H. Leimert.
The album is from the archives of Olmsted at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Siteand Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation’s foremost park maker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world’s first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted’s design ideals, philosophy, and influence.
I believe the photos were taken by Cheney Photo Advertising Company and Morton Photo Company.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View Southwest from between Wesley Avenue and Radnor Road – June 1914
Looking at Wesley Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd, Lake Merritt and downtown.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View North Between Excelsior and Beacon Avenues – June 1914
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View Northwest from Between Hillgirt Circle and Haddon Road – June 1914
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View Southwest towards Haddon Hill – June 1914
You can see what is now the corner of Lake Park Ave and Grand Avenue. The future home of the Grand Lake Theater.
Looking North from Hillgirt Circle North and Hillgirt Circle South – Haddon Hill – Today Prospect Avenue and Hillgirt Circle – June 1914 –
You can see Santa Clara Avenue, Grand Lake Avenue. The future location of the Grand Lake Theater, Lakeview School and the MacArthur Freeway
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
Looking Northwest from Haddon Hill Towards Sather Tract Entrance – June 1914
Looking towards the Trader Joe’s parking lot and the Trestle Glen Road. You can see Rand Avenue and Mandana Blvd.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
LAKESHORE HIGHLANDS OAKLAND, c 1918
Lake Shore Highlands; Wickham Havens –Sather Tract, formerly –Leimert, Walter H
Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
Map of HADDON HILL
c1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
Official and historical atlas map of Alameda County, California. Compiled, drawn, and published from personal examinations and surveys by Thompson & West. Oakland, Cala. 1878. Res. & farm of P.A. Finigan, Brooklyn Tp.
The Alden Farm (Alder Farm) once stood on the land whereHoly Names University is located today.
In 1874 Charles Low owned the property. A barn was located where Tobin Halls and the university’s gymnasium are today. He built a house for his family on the site where Brennan Hall stands today. You can see a map of the campus here.
Oakland Tribune May 1877
Oakland Tribune Nov 28, 1877
In 1877 Peter A. Finigan (Finnegan) purchased the property from Low and built a second house near where Cushing Library is today.
In 1884 Thomas Magee of Thomas Magee & Sons Real Estate Firm purchased the farm. I bet Magee Avenue was named after him.
Magee added a second story to the house that Finigan built.
During the early years, the Magee would spend winter at their home in San Francisco and summer on Alden Farm. After the 1906 earthquake and fire, they made their home permanently at Alden Farm.
Alden Farm was considered one of the premier showplaces in Oakland. Many social events and weddings were held there over the years.
1857 – 1888: Ellis A Haines purchased the property from the Peralta’s
In 1888, Frederick C. Talbot of the San Francisco lumber firm Pope & Talbot purchased 133 acres from Ellis A. Haines in Elmhurst near San Leandro and adjacent to the Souther Farm (now the Dunsmuir Home) for $15,000.
San Francisco Chronicle July 08, 1888
Oakland Tribune July 30, 1888
The total acreage seems to change depending on who wrote it or what you read. Above, you will see that one clipping has the entire area as “133 acres “and, in the other, it as “153 acres.” It has been as high as 453 acres. I have always understood it to be the same land as the Oakland Zoo and Knowland Park, but who knows?
Oakland Tribune August 08, 1890
Oakland Tribune September 14, 1888
Edenvale
Nestled in the hills surrounded by the choicest fruits and flowers, “Edenvale,“ as the name suggests, is a veritable paradise.
The estate comprised 140 acres (different acreage) of fertile land for farming and orchards. Sixty acres were planted with almonds, cherries, oranges, walnuts, lemons, prunes, apricots, peaches, and olives, and eighty acres were chosen farming land.
There was a large modern stable, a greenhouse, and servants’ quarters. There was a home for the caretaker, which is still standing today. A brooder for chickens and a pen for pigs. Oakland Tribune March 22, 1902
Durant purchased the Talbot estate “Edenvale.” The estate, which consisted of 470 acres (different acreage), sold for $200,000.
Oakland Tribune November 25, 1919
San Francisco Examiner Feb 08, 1920
The above says “478-acres” and below says “200-acres”.
Oakland Tribune November 23, 1919
Fire Destroys The Mansion
The fire broke out on December 19, 1921, on the third floor near the roof. Durant was outside then and alerted the servants and employees, who formed a fire brigade.
Strong winds fanned the fire, and it quickly spread throughout the mansion.
A squad of police out of the central division carried furniture and valuables from the burning mansion. They then turned their efforts to stop the fire from spreading to the basement, saving a valuable collection of wines and liquors.
Oakland Tribune December 20, 1921
The Estate Becomes A Park
In 1929, the city of Oakland council voted to purchase the former country estate of the late F.C. Talbot from the Park Commission. The 350 acres ( different acreage) would cost the city approximately $662,000. That deal fell through, and the whole story is confusing. Durant Park opened to the public in 1932.
Oakland Tribune April 19, 1929
In 1935, Sidney Snow took possession of the 475-acre Durant Park (different acreage)and started building the zoo. He ran it with some help from the city of Oakland. – From A History as Told by the Founder’s Daughter”
In 1937, Durant Park was called the Zoological Gardens and Arboretumof Metropolitan Oakland.
Durant Park Press Photo 1937
Durant Park Press Photo 1937 – Is this the same bridge that the Talbot’s had over their pond?
Oakland Tribune May 22, 1950
In 1950, Durant Park was dedicated as the “East Bay State Park” under the California park system. A dedication speech noted that many trees and plants from F.C. Talbot’s estate were included in the Historical Arboretum,a separate park from the Oakland Zoo.
Oakland Tribune December 29, 1957 The row of Canary Island Palms
A row of mature Canary Island Date Palms marks the part entry. Stately Mexican Fan Palms, Chilean Palms, and exotic Bunya Bunya trees from Australia dot the formal meadows of the existing picnic grounds. These Arboretum specimens were planted at the turn of the last century (I bet before that) as part of the Talbot Estate grounds. There is also a collection of 8 species of palms, native and exotic oaks, redwoods, and many other specimens from North Africa, the Himalayas, Chile, and the Canary Islands. – From the Zoo Master Plan 1996
In 1962, a fire destroyed the building home to Effie, the elephant, until 1959. The building, built in 1890, was part of the Talbot Estate. It had been marked unsafe.
On the map below, the sizeable red square shows where most of the estate was. The smaller green box shows the location of the caretaker home that was part of the Talbot Estate. When Sidney Snow ran the zoo, he and his family lived there. Now, it is used by zoo employees.
The meadow by the main gate still has some of the trees planted by Talbot over 100 years ago, and they are part of the Knowland State Arboretum and Park today.
From the Zoo Master Plan 1996
Sidney Snow’s Home
Circa 1939
Google Map 2019 showing the caretakers home still standing in Knowland Park
A couple of things:
I am working on getting copies of the actual photos instead of copies from a report.
I am also checking on the Knowland State Arboretum and Park. Does it still exist?
I know they allow parking (on crowded days) in the meadow, where some historic trees still stand.
Again while researching something else, I came across this, and I had to share it. I was looking into the Haines Ranch and found this article about Mountain George.
Old Mountain George Died Where He Wanted to Die
On the 15th day of July 1887, Jonathan Murphy was riding over the ridge close to (or on) the Haines Ranch (now the Oakland Zoo) or Mills Seminary (now Mills College) when he decided to check on ‘Old George” at his cabin. He found George dead in his bed. His old gun and hound dog lay by his side. There was a letter addressed to his sister, in papers scattered on a table.
Everybody in East Oakland knew the tall, gaunt man with long grey bread as “Mountain George.” But few knew him as George Clinton Tisdale, a former resident of New York. He was about 63 years old and had lived in the hills for years, killing whatever game he could find.
He used to occupy a cabin on the E.A. Haines ranch but recently had lived in a hut on Colonel Simpson’s farm, about four miles back of Mills Seminary on the old Redwood Road.
If you grew up the Montclair District of Oakland from 1956 to about 1990, you shopped at Freeway Variety.
The Montclarion March 1956
Freeway Variety opened in March of 1956. It was owned and operated by partners Cy Fritz and David Iventosch. They both had experience running the same type of stores in Berkeley.
The Montclarion March 1956
The Montclarion March 1956
The Montclarion March 1956
In 1957 Iventosch bought out his partner Fritz.
The Montclarion Apr 17, 1957
The Montclarion Apr 17, 1957
The Montclarion May 1957
From the Forgotten Montclair Page on Facebook
A basket from Freeway Variety
I felt the best way to describe this most beloved and dearly missed variety store is by sharing memories of it, which were detailed in a Facebook group. The group is lovingly called Forgotten Montclair. It is dedicated to preserving and sharing the memories of growing up in the Montclair District of Oakland, California.
Laura C: I bought my Beautiful Crissy doll there, in elementary school, along with my camping cookware for Brownie camp. When I graduated from high school, I bought my powder blue gym clothes there.
Joanne G: Freeway Variety was “candy land” heaven to me! My mom never let me have candy growing up – not ever once being able to trick or treat. So if I was ever able to ride my bike up to Freeway Variety from lower Broadway Terrace (all uphill)! The Now or Later were my first choice after a spin around the store to take in the isles of crazy stuff.
Joan G
Todd E: Lived in Montclair 1970 – 1992. Freeway Variety was like the ultimate dive bar of five and dimes. It was kind of dark with low ceilings, but it was comfy. It felt a little bit like a place where you could buy a Gremlin from some ancient guy in the back where all the wicker baskets hung from the ceiling. There were nuances to Freeway Variety that can never be replicated anywhere else. There was nothing funnier than riding your BMX down that strange concrete slope and dropping your bike down and entering the store in one fluid motion. It’s the place where I thought Army Men and those little parachute dudes were born. It had all the romantic stuff of childhood, candy, cards, Slurpee, video games, toys, Choose Your Own Adventure Books, a whole section on Movie Novelizations (with pictures in the middle!), strange arcane stuff like rabbit’s feet and real Mexican Jumping Beans. To me, the basic concept of what 1 mile is will always be the walk from my house over by Joaquin Miller School to Freeway Variety.
Christopher W
Christopher W: Ah, there it is, my favorite store growing up in Montclair. While my mom shopped at Lucky’s, I would be down at Freeway Variety looking for everything from match cars, Pez dispensers, loved the chocolate ones, and when I was tiny, I would get a quarter and ride the horse in the front. Good times
Cherie L: We would walk down there from Westwood Way. Buster brown socks. Schools supplies. Candy, you name it. Lived in Montclair from 1959 to 1982.
Stephanie W: Florence was my auntie
Nanette: I loved Freeway Variety! The old creaky wood floor that sloped down. You could get art (my favorite), craft, and school supplies. And of course where we got our Wacky Packs!!!!·
Susan S: Look what I found cleaning out my closet
Dennis J: Does anyone remember the ladies of Freeway Variety store? Florence, Winnie, Mildred, and May. I worked there after school and on weekends. Coolest boss ever: Big David Iventosch. My first real job!!!
Helene C: Loved everything about Freeway Variety. The smell of popcorn, candy, turtle pond scum. The only place where you could get candy, washcloths, home goods, toys, candy, an iron, a picture frame, valentines, Christmas cards, canning jars, toy guns, turtles, popcorn, and sweet. And those old ladies behind the counter. A golden childhood staple and memory. I pity everyone else.
Erik H: Florence always gave me extra on my Icee. But you introduced me to the “Suicide “flavored slush.
Dena M: I remember we would all go there to pick out our Halloween costumes and buy wax harmonicas.
Susan S: Look what I found cleaning out my closet
Jan D: The ladies used to follow us around the store, thinking we were going to steal something!
Donna: I still have my Ink bottles and pens.
Lara: I loved getting presents from here. Thanks to my mom, this is dated. I guess that means I am too! 33 years ago . . .
I’ve always been curious about the meaning behind a street name. Some are obvious, like Broadway or Main Street. I’ve lived on Capricorn Ave (zodiac), Thornhill Dr. (Hiram Thorn), Georgia St. (the state), Athol Ave (still haven’t figured that one out), and Lynde St.
Map of Oakland and vicinity map number nine. Published by Thompson & West, Oakland, Cala., 1878
Lynde Street was named for George L Lynde, a landowner. I don’t know precisely when he purchased the land in the Fruitvale District. I found him living there in 1866.
California Voters Registration 1866
San Francisco City Directory 1867
George Lee Lynde was born in about 1838 in the state of Vermont. By 1860 he was living in California with his parents and siblings. In 1861 he married Cassandra Jane Hewitt in San Francisco. They had four children.
1870 Federal Census for the Brooklyn Township in Oakland
George W. Lynde 1862-1941
Matthew A. Lynde 1868-
Martha V. Lynde 1868-
Frank H. Lynde 1876-1939
The 1877 Oakland City Directory has Lynde living in Fruitvale near East 27th, right by Lynde Street.
1877 Oakland City Directory
1880 Federal Census for District No 12 in Oakland
Cassandra and George were divorced in 1880, and she moved to Arizona. By 1899 George was living in San Francisco and was remarried. He died in 1915.
Oakland Tribune Sep 12, 1879
Lynde and Howard – Tin Shop
Alameda Encinal Nov 23, 1872
Oakland City Directory 1871
George co-owned a Tin Shop (plumbing, hardware, and gas fixtures) located at 683 East 12th Street.
A few of the illustrations from the 1885 Oakland and Surrounding compared to modern-day or an earlier date.
Nichol Block
The Nichol Block was built in 1878 and is now a part of “Old Oakland.” It is located at the northeast corner of 9th Street and Washington.
Northeast corner of 9th and Washington Streets. Arlington Hotel in circa 1937
Downtown Property Owner’s Association.
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
