The “Painted Rock” is a famous, well-known landmark in Piedmont Pines, often fully painted with birthday or anniversary messages. Painted Rock is located at the ‘Y” where Ascot Drive and Chelton Drive
Google Maps
The area was called Sulphur Springs Park.
Google Maps
Some History
In the 1930s, the Rock was placed in a project under the auspice of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). I believe they created the benches.
In the 1960s, residents began painting messages on the rock. This tradition has continued to this day.
The Montclarion 1963
Early on, the area residents complained about the messages that appeared on the Rock. Some called it “grafitti rock.“
A Bufano Statue
There was talk of placing a Bufano statue at the rock.
The Montclarion 1966
At the crossroads
“There’s a rock at the intersection of Ascot and Chelton drives and it’s become almost a national monument in Piedmont Pines”
Peggy Stinnett 1966
Updated from Facebook
The Montclarion – October 12, 1966
“People who live in Piedmont Pines drive past the rock twice a day more or less”
Peggy Stinnett 1966
There was even a “Save the Rock” campaign for a while. They insisted the Rock should stay in its natural state. Others said the Rock should be a “servant to young mankind, a forum for self-expression.” While the groups were going back and forth, city crews came in and sandblasted the Rock. The controversy didn’t happen when the Rock was painted in purple.
“I am a Rock.”
The Rock is Famous
SF Examiner May 1, 1978
The above article was repeated or excerpted in many newspapers across the nation.
The Arizona RepublicThe Paducah Sun KentuckyThe Gettysburg Times PennsylvaniaThe Sun Biloxi Mississippi
Name Change
In 2003, Piedmont Pines residents petitioned the City of Oakland to honor Marjorie Saunders (1909-2009) many contributions by renaming Sulphur Springs Park (“Painted Rock”) to “Marjorie Saunders Park.”
Marjorie Saunders in front of the Rock
On June 26, 2004, more than 100 neighbors and dignitaries turned out for the Park’s dedication in her name.
From the Piedmont Pines Neighborhood Association
From Google Maps
Toxic
Oakland sixth-grader Cameron Cox tests the water that runs off the “painted rock” at Marjorie Saunders Park. Cox, 12, found that people often use toxic paint on the Rock, which pollutes the watershed. (Photo courtesy of Cox)
A middle school student, Cameron Cox, reported on the potential pollution associated with painting the Rock.
“After passing by the rock nearly every day on her way to school, 12-year-old Cameron Cox, decided to test the water that runs off the rock into a creek for a Bentley School project, and found harmfully high levels of levels of acetone, butanone, benzene and other volatile compounds.”
From Bruce GoodmanFrom FacebookFrom Google MapsFrom Google MapsFrom Guy CherryRIP KeithRIP Guy Cherry
Photo by Mark Stauffer April 2023
More Info:
Does anyone have photos of painted Rock that they would like to share? Please let me know. Thanks
Marjorie Saunders Park and the Painted Rock – Fact Sheet
This fact sheet addresses recent concerns associated with potential pollution associated with the painting of the Rock at Marjorie Saunders Park.
“For almost 70 years, PPNA has been the voluntary steward of this Park and has recently been in discussions with the city to address the pollution concerns that have been raised.” – website.
The city confirmed that painting the Rock is not permitted
The glass palace was once a part of the estate of A.K.P. Harmonin Oakland.
A.K.P. Harmon
Albion Keith Paris Harmon settled in Oakland in 1872 after making a fortune in the Comstock mines. He settled on 6.2 acres of land on the shores of Lake Merritt next to Sacred Heart College.
From the Map of the City of Oakland and Surroundings. Compiled from Official and Private Surveys. by J.C. Henkenius. 1888. Britton & Rey Lith., S.F. Cal. Entered…1887.
Soon after, he built his house, conservatory, and magisterial carriage house.
“…greenhouse, which contains one of the most extensive collections of rare plants on the Pacific Coast.”
1882
Harmon House and Conservatory from Webster Street, Oakland. ca. 1870 Gift of Miss Marietta Edwards H68.10.6B
Harmons Greenhouse
Sf Examiner May 1, 1896
Mr. Harmon died in 1896, and his estate was subdivided and sold.
Sf Examiner May 03, 1896
Edson Plaza
Mr. Edson Adams Jr., son of one of the city founders, purchased the conservatory in 1902 and moved it to a two-acre park he had created at the head of Lake Merritt. The new park was called Edson Plaza and Conservatory or Adams Park.
The Adams heirs spent a large sum of money creating the park. The site was once a foul and unsightly marsh. It took about 18 months to complete the project.
The conservatory measuring 75′ in length, the glass structure had to be moved intact, as it was constructed in a way that could not be disassembled. Arriving at the park unbroken, it was placed upon a concrete foundation. Walter J. Mathews, an architect, supervised the move and the placement of plants in the greenhouse.
The entire plaza was a perfectly kept lawn with maple, poplar, birch, willow, and eucalyptus trees along the border. In the center was the conservatory in the shape of a cross 72 by 60 feet in size, containing several thousand potted plants. John McLaren (Golden Gate Park) prepared plans for the conservatory and park’s care and upkeep.
New or greatly enlarged industrial establishments of Oakland and East Bay cities / by Oakland (Calif.) Chamber of Commerce. Cheney Photo Advertising Co.; Wickham Havens, Inc. circa 1917 Courtesy of Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Center http://www.oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt7199q9d0/?order=87
The Oakland Herald proudly announced,Â
“Conservatory and Park Are Gift to Oakland’s People.”
In 1903, the Edson Heirs Donated the park to the city of Oakland. Â
“…gift is that the city shall forever maintain the plaza as a public park and keep up the handsome conservatory which stands in it.”
Oakland Tribune July 11, 1903
Oakland Tribune Aug 4, 1903
Relic of the Past
 “So, another landmark is destroyed.”
Oakland Tribune Sept 8, 1918
In September 1918, an official notice came from the park commissioners to sell the conservatory and its contents. It was too costly for the city to keep up.
“Now its life is ended. There no further use for it.”
Oakland Tribune Sept 08, 1918
SF Examiner Sept 10, 1918
The “Forever Park” is Gone
In 1926, Oakland’s city council opted to lease land that Edson Plaza (then called Adams Park) to the county for a new Veterans’ Memorial Building.
Did the city forget they agreed to keep it a park with the conservatory FOREVER?
Deed Doesn’t Restrict
“The deed to the property, which became known as Adams Park in 1902 after Edson Adams had erected a conservatory on the site, places no restrictions on the use and its only dedication as a park is through the city’s naming it.”
Oakland Tribune Jan 27, 1927
Oakland Tribune July 19, 1927
Veterans’ Memorial Building
Veterans’ Memorial Building 200 Grand Ave – Oakland Local Wiki
Henry A. Snow, a naturalist, collector, and African big game hunter, established the Oakland Zoo in downtown Oakland. The first Zoo was located at 19th and Harrison. The area is now known as Snow Park.
In February of 1923, the city of Oakland accepted Snow’s collection of wild animals. The collection was valued from $30,000 to $80,000.
“On behalf of the city of Oakland, we are delighted to accept this valuable collection.”
Oakland Tribune Feb 1923
Two lion cubs and a boa-constrictor formed the nucleus, with various monkeys, bobcats, a cinnamon bear, a mountain lion, and a badger completing the menagerie.
We’ve Moved!
After many complaints were filed with the city council and the park board from the neighborhood residents around the Zoo, who said the animal collection was a nuisance.
Oakland Tribune 1925
The new location was in Sequoia Mountain Park (now a part of Joaquin Miller Park.)
In 1926 Henry Snow had a stroke and died in July of 1927. Snow’s son Sidney Snow continued in his father’s footsteps.
In 1936, Snow established the nonprofit organization East Bay Zoological Society, which was incorporated as the Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society.
The new Society sought to move the animals to the 500-acre Durant Park.
Durant Park
In 1939 the Zoo moved from Joaquin Miller Park to Durant Park.
Durant Park was once the home to R.C. Durant, the President of Durant Motors. Before that, the land from owned by F.C. Talbot. The park is located at the top of 98th Avenue.
Rosebud Dancing to Shake, Rattle and Roll 1955Sid Snow with Baby Tigers circa 1950Oakland Tribune May 22, 1950
Knowland State Arboretum and Park and Zoo
Visitors enter the Oakland Zoo in Knowland Park through the Historical Park and Arboretum landscape. The trees throughout this area are the remnants of the Frederick Talbot estate (see Edenvale.)
Trees in the Meadow – Knowland Park 1937
A row of Canary Island Palm marks the park entry. There are Mexican Fan Palms, Chilean Palms, and exotic Bunya Bunya Trees from Australia in the meadow and picnic grounds. These trees were all planted early part of the 1900s.
Knowland Park consists of approximately 443 acres, of which 350 are in the undeveloped Upper Knowland Park. The Zoo (in 1996) had 56 acres within the Historical Park, and 37 acres were in the Zoological Park.
Oakland Tribune 1948
Under a contract with the City of Oakland, the East Bay Zoological Society (EBZS) is fully responsible for the operation, maintenance, and development of the 37-acre Zoo and the 443 acres of Knowland Park.
Improvements 1957-1966
Miss Effie – new home
The first significant addition was the construction enclosure for Miss Effie, the elephant, at $15,000. The move from the lower park to the upper area began. Video of Miss Effie in 1965 can be seen here: website.
There was a 60-foot cylindrical gibbon tower at the entrance to the Zoo. The baby zoo was located in the lower area of the new Zoo.
Oakland Zoo 1963
“The Zoo, when completed, will be the most modern and beautiful one in the country.”
Oakland Tribune 1960
Oakland Tribune 1964
By 1967 the Zoo had relocated entirely to a canyon rising to a mountain overlooking the entire East Bay Area.
The Skyline Daylight is a miniature train e with a “Vista Dome” coach.
Oakland Zoo Circa 1968
The Baby Zoo was completed in 1965 and rebuilt in 2005.
Oakland Tribune 1965
When completed, the Zoo would be 100 acres.
Sidney Snow Dies
SF Examiner August 38, 1959
People Came to See
Zoo Under Fire
In 1983 the Zoo was listed as number six of the “Ten worst zoos.’
The Humane Society of the United States said the conditions at the Zoo were so adverse that the elephants might be better off “serving five to ten years in Leavenworth.”
SF Examiner 1983
The Zoo was “a random collection of animals maintained in amateurish fashion and failed to meet even one criterion of an acceptable zoological garden.
They called the Zoo a “concrete oasis.”
SF Examiner 1983
The report noted no cruelty to the animals, and they were generally healthy.
The Zoo’s response was, “it will be a first-class zoo in a few years.”
Since 1988, Oakland Zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the national organization that sets the highest standards for animal welfare for zoos and aquariums.
In his tenure, Dr. Parrott has turned the Zoo around, making it one of the best in the country.
African Savanna
Many new exhibits have been created, including those for the hamadryas baboons and the chimpanzees, including a new spacious elephant exhibit built in 1987.
The current sun bear exhibit was finished in 1995 and was featured on Animal Planet’s “Ultimate Zoos.” The white-handed gibbons now live on a lush island in the heart of the Rainforest. The African Savannah, with camels, lions, elephants, meerkats, hyenas, and more, was completed in 1998.
The Zoo Today
In the summer of 2005, the 3-acre Valley Children’s Zoo opened with spacious new animal exhibits along with plenty of interactive play structures for children. The ring-tailed lemurs, century-old Aldabra tortoises, the interactive Goat and Sheep Contact Yard, and the river otters are in the Children’s Zoo. The popular American alligators, bats, pot-bellied pigs, Old-World rabbits, Bug Room, Reptile, and Amphibian Discovery Room are also in the Children’s Zoo.Â
June 20, 2018 – Almost three years since breaking ground and more than two decades in the making, Oakland Zoo’s highly anticipated California Trail opens. The expansion doubles the Zoo’s current size from 45 to 100 acres.
The Zoo is home to two sets of brother grizzly bears, also known as brown bears. At Oakland Zoo, the bears are given a wide variety of enrichment and choices. Grizzly Bear Cams
The California Trail includes the interactive California Conservation Habitarium, Conservation Action Tent, and California Wilds! Playground based on California’s diverse eco-zones, and Clorox Overnight Experience ‘safari-style’ campground.
 1936– Snow established the nonprofit organization East Bay Zoological Society, which was incorporated as the  Alameda County Botanical and Zoological Society.Â
1939-moved from Joaquin Miller Park to Durant Park.
1948Â – Became a State Park
1949: State Park property is leased to the City of Oakland for 50 years, and the City of Oakland subleased the zoo property to the East Bay Zoological Society.
1950: -The zoo property changed its name Joseph Knowland State Arboretum and Park.
1964 –City Parks Dept and Society run zoo
1965 –Â The baby Zoo opened
1975 Knowland State Park was conveyed to the City of Oakland.Â
1982 –East Bay Zoological Society took over the maintenance, operation, and development of the city-run Zoo. The 10-year lease agreement saved the city almost $315,880 a year. The Society signed a ten-year contract.
1985 –Â Joel Parrott was appointed the Executive Director. A 20-year renovation plan was put in place,
1994-Â Renews 10-year lease.
Timeline of Major Developments
Hamadryas Baboon Exhibit 1982
Chimpanzee Exhibit – 1988
African Elephant Exhibit – 1989
African Lion Exhibit – 1992
Siamang Island Exhibit – 1993
Malayan Sun Bear Exhibit – 1996
African Savanna – 1998
Maddie’s Center – 1999
Warthog Exhibit -2000
Mahali Pa Tembo – Elephant Exhibit 2004
Wayne & Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo Opened in 2005
Baboon Cliffs – 2009
Wild Australia – 20110
Veterinary Hospital – 2012
More Info:
The East Bay Zoological Society has operated and managed the Zoo for the City of Oakland from 1982 until August 2017, when it was renamed the Conservation Society of California to reflect better Zoo’s evolving purpose and mission in its commitment to conservation.
In 1909 a newly appointed commission met at city hall with then Mayor Frank Mott to assume the responsibility of establishing a public playground system.
Oakland was the second city in California to establish a playground system; the first was Los Angeles in 1905.
Superintendent of Playgrounds
George E. Dickie Greater Oakland 1911
In May of 1909, the commission appointed George E. Dickie, the first playground superintendent, and that summer, the city opened two “experimental” playgrounds at Tompkins and Prescott Schools.
Oakland Tribune Oakland (Calif.) Park commission., Oakland (Calif.) Playground commission. (1910). The park system of Oakland, California. [Oakland: Carruth & Carruth.
Before 1909, the Oakland Women’s Club operated summer playgrounds for two years at West Oakland’s Tompkins and Prescott’s schools at their own expense.
Oakland (Calif.) Park commission., Oakland (Calif.) Playground commission. (1910). The park system of Oakland, California. [Oakland: Carruth & Carruth.
With a budget of $10,000, the commission opened three municipal playgrounds in 1910.
Oakland (Calif.) Park commission., Oakland (Calif.) Playground commission. (1910). The park system of Oakland, California. [Oakland: Carruth & Carruth.
The first was opened on January 10, 1910, at de Fremery. The park included a dozen swings, two long slides, a baseball diamond, two regulation tennis courts, and courts for basketball, volleyball, and handball.
Oakland (Calif.) Park commission., Oakland (Calif.) Playground commission. (1910). The park system of Oakland, California. [Oakland: Carruth & Carruth.
Two weeks later, they opened Bushrod Playground at 60th Street and Shafter. The land was deeded to the city in 1904 by Dr. Bushrod Washington James of Philadelphia with the stipulations that it is maintained as a public park forever.
Playground at Bushrod Park 1911Oakland (Calif.) Park commission., Oakland (Calif.) Playground commission. (1910). The park system of Oakland, California. [Oakland: Carruth & Carruth.
The first recreation “center” was built at the site, and the structure remained standing until 1943.
Oakland Tribune 1911
They then provided playground equipment to the West Oakland Park (which later became Bayview, and is now Raimondi Field) and Independence Park ( now San Antonio).
Oakland Tribune 1911
Recreation for Everyone
In 1911 the city charter was revised to include the role of recreation in the community, this resulted in disbanding the commission, and a board of playground directors was created to oversee the parks. The Parks and Recreation Department was formed
In 1970, the Montclair Recreation Center held bi-weekly rock concerts, which were co-sponsored by the Center and the Montclair Junior Women’s Club.
Montclarion June 1970
Oakland Tribune 1970
Montclarion June 1970
The bands were not obscure but rather the groups that headlined local clubs or played third on the bill at the Fillmore West.
Admission was a $1.00 to $1.50
The concerts suddenly stopped in the middle of 1972. Not sure why.
Montclarion June 1970
From the Forgotten Montclair Group on Facebook
Oakland Tribune 1970
I found the advertisements in the Oakland Tribune’s “Wednesday Teen Age” and “What’s doing…where…” sections.
Oakland Tribune August 26, 1970
The Concerts lasted until the fall of 1972.
Sample section from the Oakland Tribune
Oakland Tribune October 1970
I loved this song and never knew who the artist was. Enjoy!
The Band Malo –
I commend the leaders of the recreation center for doing this. I can imagine a lot of people in Montclair did not like the idea (see below)
Community Response
Montclarion June 1970
Brutality Charges against Oakland Police
The Montclarion December 1970
The MontclarionThe Montclarion
Lots of Memories of the Concerts
Speaking of memories, many people remember more prominently named bands playing there. I don’t doubt them; I just haven’t found any concert information.
I was alive and living in Montclair during this timeframe. But I have no memory of the concerts. I know I would have enjoyed going to them.
Found Tower of Power!
Oakland Tribune Dec 12, 1970
The Concerts
This is not a complete list.
September 06, 1968 – Two Teen Rock Groups
June 13, 1970 – Artichoke Jones – Summer Festival
June 26, 1970 – Fox Glove & Leviticus – Montera Jr High
July 03, 1970 – Backwater Rising – Montera Jr High
February 19, 1972 – Little Sister, Gunn, and Thunderclap
March 04, 1972 – Little John featuring John Hart
April 08, 1972 – Loading Zone –
September 30, 1972 – Anglo Saxon – with John Hart, formerly of Little John
November ?? 1972 – Gold
*Green Death with Kurt Steele did the light show
From the Forgotten Montclair Group – “Their light shows were mostly two shallow glass bowls, placed on an overhead projector. The bottom bowl held oil and food coloring, and the top bowl fitted inside it, allowing them to squish the colors around in kaleidoscopic patterns. They set up their equipment and chairs on a table in the back of the room where the band played. Despite the low-tech process, their light shows were very fresh and added a lot to the atmosphere of the rock concerts.”
Almost everyone who grew up in Montclair played in the park. The park was always full of kids.
Montclarion 1960
If you visited or played in the park from 1960 to around 1993, you would remember the two-story playhouse. It was built in 1960 and was located by the swing sets.
March 1964 from Mary Jo Losso
By 1993 the playhouse was boarded up due to fires and covered with graffiti. It is rumored the fires were caused by teens or someone smoking in the house.
Oakland Tribune Sep 01, 1993
I enjoyed playing in the small playhouse. I would pretend I lived there and that my best friend lived next door.
Montclarion 1960
Built-in 1960
In 1960 the Montclair Junior Women’s Club of Montclair held fundraisers and worked with the Oakland Recreation Department to finance a playhouse for the park in Montclair.
Oakland Tribune Apr 25, 1960
Oakland Tribune 1960
The 120-square-foot playhouse incorporated such features as kitchenettes with running water. toy stoves and refrigerators. Each unit had a living room with a built-in play television set and a circular metal stairway leading up to the sleeping balcony and sundeck.
The structure’s exterior was covered with heavy wire to create the illusion of a closed building. Bright colored squares of orange, yellow, turquoise, and white decorate the front of the playhouse.
Oakland Tribune Sept 14, 1960
Jan 1973from Mike Shuken
The playhouse was designed and constructed by members of the Oakland Parks and Recreation Department.
Bert Trubody
Robert Savattone
Paul Mortensen
From Beth Reynolds
Fun in Merrivilla
Circa 1985 – From Forgotten Montclair on Facebook
Dollhouse Named Diane
From the Facebook Group – Forgotten Montclair
There was also a playhouse located in Pinto Park/Carl B. Munck School’s play yard.
