Ostrich farming was promoted as a sound investment over a century ago. The farms, well documented on postcards, and were tourist attractions.
Ostriches were brought to the United States in the early 1880s from Africa. In the wild, they lived in warm, dry climates. Southern California seemed to have conditions similar to their natural African environment. By the late 1890s, there were eight locations in Los Angeles, Orange, and San Deigo counties.
The popularity of feathers in women’s fashion made raising the birds an attractive investment.
Farm in OaklandÂ
In the fall of 1907, San Francisco newspapers ran an ad campaign for stock investment in an ostrich farm in Oakland.
In July of 1908, W.H.” Harvey” Bentley of the Bentley Ostrich Farm in San Diego County announced the opening of a branch in the Elmhurst District (sometimes Fruitvale) of Oakland at East 14th and High Street.
Bentley Ostrich Farm East 14th (now International Blvd) and High Streets Oakland, California Photographer: Cheney Photo Advertising Company c 1913
It opened on August 30th of 1908. It featured birds named Mr. and Mrs “George Dewey” (Admiral at the battle of Manila Bay) and the other Spanish American War hero from the Cuba campaign, “Fighting Bob” Evans commander of the Great White Fleet.
Forty-six birds compromised the original herd.
Could this be George or Bob?
In 1910 it was announced that the addition of a factory to their local salesroom and yards. Which meant the hats were made in Oakland and not San Diego. For the years 1907 to 1911, ostrich plumage on women’s hats was at its peak and all the rage.
Bentley Ostrich Farm East 14th (now International Blvd) and High Streets Oakland, California Photographer: Cheney Photo Advertising Company c 1911
New Name
In January of 1912, the owner of the Bently Ostrich Farm, was killed in an auto accident near the San Diego farm.
Oakland Tribune Sep 21, 1913
His son sold the farm to a group of Oakland investors.
View of main entrance to the Golden State Ostrich Farm; Souvenir Publishing Co 1915
The name was changed to Golden State Ostrich Farm in 1913.
;
The farm had spacious ground floor offices and salesroom. In the sales there was a magnificent display of plumes in all sizes, prices and colors.
Title: Salesroom and office [picture] : Golden State Ostrich Farm, East 14th and High streets 1910 Collection: Selections from the Collections of the Oakland History Room and the Maps Division of the Oakland Public Library Date of access: May 31 2020 10:32 Permalink: https://calisphere.org/item/ark:/13030/kt0p3022h1/
With the coming of World War I, as American and European women entered the workforce, utilitarian clothing replaced the flamboyant fashions of the early 1900s. Broader hats were pinned up with a broach or artificial flower.
Oakland Tribune 1909
Plucking is Painless”
Oakland Tribune May 01, 1952
The bird is shoved into a corner by several men. A hood is placed over the birds head. The plume is cut leaving about an inch of quill in the flesh. The quill would soon fall out.
Bankruptcy
Golden State Ostrich Farm in Oakland filed for bankruptcy in early 1915.Â
“Whole Ostrich for the Price of a Feather”
 The press announcement said it was now cheaper to buy the entire ostrich than the amount once paid for the feathers to adorn a hat.
The ostrich farms in northern California had all but failed by 1915. The “industry” had a brief heyday, and in the end, defeat by war and a significant fashion change in hats.
The schools were single-story buildings with integrated gardens and pavilion-like classrooms, which increased children’s access to the outdoors, fresh air, and sunlight. They were primarily built in areas away from city centers, sometimes in rural locations, to provide a space free from pollution and overcrowding.Â
The first open-air school in Oakland was established at Fruitvale School No. 2Â (now Hawthorne School) on Tallent Street (now East 17th). When it opened, forty students from grades third through seventh were enrolled. Miss Lulu Beeler was selected as the teacher because she had prior experience working in an open-air school in the East.
 The school was designed to help cure ill and tubercular children. Its focus was on improving physical health through the infusion of fresh air into the classrooms and into the children’s lungs. The school was established as a medical experiment. It was reserved for children judged to be of “weak” disposition.
It was constructed at the rear of the playground, one hundred feet from the existing main building.
“Fruitvale School. The Fresh Air School, 5-18-13.” The negative shows a group of children, boys and girls, posing in front of what looks like an enclosed porch on the back of the building. Two adult women and a man are standing with the children on a set of stairs leading up to this room. OMCA
The square, the wood-framed building, was raised to prevent underfloor dampness.
Fruitvale School. Saluting the flag, 5-18-13.” Negative shows a group of children with their right hands to their foreheads. One girl is standing in front of them, holding an American flag on a pole. OMCA
Each side had a different treatment to reflect the sun. The southern side had tall windows that, when open, didn’t seem enclosed. The east side was opened to the elements with only half of a wall. A screen protected them from insects. In case of storms, awnings could be pulled down to protect the students.
Fruitvale School.” The negative shows schoolchildren hanging out the school’s windows, posing for the photo. A male teacher is standing on the ground outside the windows, looking up at the first-floor windows filled with students. OMCA
The school was to be the first in a series of open-air schools installed on the grounds of Oakland’s existing city schools.
Objections
Fruitvale School. The outdoors brought indoors 5-18-13.” OMCA
There were some objections to opening the school, both from the parents of the selected children and the children themselves. The parents did not want their children singled out; the children worried they would be teased as being “sick.” These fears were realized, and the teachers struggled with how to deal with the repeated taunts
The open-air classroom idea was incorporated into many of the new schools built in the 1920s. I don’t know how long the Fruitvale Open Air School was open. I will update you if I find more information.
Walsh & O’Brien’s Store, junction 18th, Peralta & Center Sts., Oakland, CA, ca. 1898″ OMCA – Gift of Mrs. Brent Howard H26.1429
Oakland Tribune Dec 21, 1901
Oakland’s oldest flatiron building resides at the juncture of Peralta, Center, and 17th Streets in West Oakland. It was built for William Walsh in 1879; the two-story redwood structure initially housed the Center Junction Exchange Saloon with apartments above.
Oakland Tribune Feb 11, 1884
A native of Ireland, Mr. Walsh purchased the Peralta Street lot in 1877. Peralta Street was one of the main avenues to Berkeley.
Oakland Tribune Dec 21, 1901
By 1877, the saloon had evolved into the Junction Cash Grocery and Liquor Store. In 1894, Mr. Walsh partnered with Austin O’Brien. The firm of Walsh & O’Brien was described as:
“importers selling direct to families, groceries, wines, cigars, home furnishing goods, hay, feed, and grain.”
Mr. Walsh bought out O’Brien’s share of the company in 1901 and changed the name to Walsh & Co.
Oakland Tribune Apr 18, 1901
Plate 100
From Oakland 1902 Vol 1, California Published by Sanborn Map Company in 1902
In this series of posts, I hope to show Then and Now images Oakland Schools. Along with a bit of history of each school, I highlight.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Skyline High School
Skyline High School is located on a 45-acre (some say 35 acres) campus at the crest of the Oakland hills. The school is near the Redwood Regional Park and has a panoramic (through the trees)view of the San Francisco Bay Area on one side and Contra Costa on the other.
My School Id
Hill Area High School
Where will Oakland’s proposed new hill-area school be located”
Oakland Tribune Sep 05, 1956
Talks about a new “Hill-Area High School began in the early to mid-1950s. After weeks of field trips and meetings the possible sites for the new school were reduced from eight to three.
They finally they decided on a 31-acres site at Skyline Blvd and Fernhoff Road – No 1 above and below.
The new hill area high school costs were expected to be almost $4,000,000, with nearly $3,000,000 earmarked for site development and construction.
Oakland Tribune May 21, 1958
For 1,500 students, the plans called for fifty-four classrooms, a library, a cafeteria, a gymnasium, an auditorium, and administrative offices. The number of classrooms would be increased to 67 for 2,000 students.
The Oakland architectural firm of Warnecke and Warnecke were hired to design the new school.
Construction
The grading and excavation was complete by July of 1959 at a cost of $182,000
Montclarion 1961
Architects Warnecke and Warnecke estimated the school building would cost $3,650,600 in addition to the money already spent on the site, and development would bring the total to $4,623,301.
Some of the suggestions to cut the cost was.
Omit a $500,000 auditorium
Omit the covered walkways for a savings of $97,000
Substitute 13 portables classrooms for permanent buildings to save $266,800
Oakland Tribune Jan 25, 1959
The contract to build the Hill Area High School was awarded to Branagh and Son, at a cost of $4,140,500 for 50 classrooms.
Construction was set to begin in November of 1959
The school was set to open in the fall of 1961.
Oakland Tribune Jan 25, 1961
Loud protests that the “tentative” boundaries for the new Hill Area High School would keep low income and minority groups prompted the Board of Education to request further study on the matter in January of 1961.`
Representatives of the NAACP told the board members that keeping attendance boundaries in hill area would make the new facility a
“private prep school supported by public funds.”
The existing boundaries of the four high schools in Oakland then had lines extending to the eastern limits of the city allowed for a wide divergence of racial and economic backgrounds.
The proposed boundary for the new school stretched along the top lines of the hills would only allow for “horizontal mobility.”
David P. McCullum, president of the Oakland NAACP, stressed that “Negros would not be the only ones deprived of a chance to attend the new school but that all races in the lower economic group would be cut out.
” It is not just a color problem-it is a total problem.”
Henry J. Kaiser Jr was the chairman of PACE (Oakland’s Public Advisory Committee on Education), and he wrote in a letter to the board of education that.
“This is the time when all of us-the Negro people and the white people-should face common problems together and work them out to our mutual satisfaction, to the end that the community is strengthened and our school children are given the maximum opportunities for development.”
McCullum said:
Skyline boundaries don’t just shut out Negroes, but create general “economic” segregation which also affects many white people.
The new attendance boundaries brought charges of gerrymandering.
The Segregation unintentional School Official Decries”
April 03, 1962
But today there are many Negro children in junior highs which feed into Skyline High School”
Selmer Berg Apr 1962
The discussion on Skyline’s borders went on for a few more years. In 1964 an ‘Open” enrollment plan was proposed, and eventually, it was accepted.
Oakland Tribune Feb 26, 1961
The new boundary did the best job of following present junior high attendance lines, and in giving relief to Castlemont, Fremont, Oakland High and Technical High.
The Name Skyline Wins!
In January of 1961, Dr. George C. Bliss was appointed the first principal of Skyline. Dr. Bliss had with the Oakland schools for 36 years most recently as the principal of Technical High School.
School board members received suggestions that the new Hill Area High school be named Sequoia or Skyline High.
Montclarion 1961
In February of 1961, Oakland’s newest high school had an official name.
The board voted at the regular meeting to call the $4.5 million school “Skyline High School”.
Athletic Shakeup
To fill Skyline, they planned on taking the following students from:
700 from Oakland
400 from Fremont
200 from Castlemont
125 from Technical
Seniors could stay at their present school and graduate with their class, and junior within the new boundaries also had that choice. Sophomores had no choice. They must go to Skyline.
This meant that some of the star athletes would be leaving their school for Skyline.
Oakland’s starting basketball guard and the best high jumper in track and field were bound for Skyline.
Oakland High was set to lose Paul Berger, their coach of nine years.
Ben Francis was the sophomore starting basketball guard at Oakland High, who must switch to Skyline. Others were Craig Breschi,Glen Fuller, Jim Ida, and Ed Huddleson.
Oakland Tribune Nov 03, 1962
Ben Haywood Oakland’s best high jumper was bound for Skyline.
JUNIOR BEN HAYWOOD WIND FOUR EVENTS
Oakland Tribune Mar 03, 1962
It was announced in April of 1961 that no varsity football would be played the first year at Skyline, by principal Dr. George Bliss.
“Football depends a great deal on size and weight.” the principal said, ” and we’ll be outnumbered two and three to one in seniors by the other schools.”
Skyline High circa 1963
Dedication
Sky’s the limit
All we have to do is develop the finest school that’s possible-one that everybody can look up to”
Dr. George Bliss – Aug 1961
The formal dedication for the school was held in December of 1961. The ceremony was held in the auditorium, with music provided by the Skyline Concert Band and Choir.
Oakland Tribune Dec 04, 1961
The formal presentation was made by Selmer Berg the Sup. of the Schools with Arch W. Host and Leroy D. Smith accepting on behalf of the students and faculty.
In a surprise feature to the program the auditorium was named the Selmer H. Berg Hall in his hoor.
The school newspaper is the Skyline Oracle and the yearbook is the Olympian. These publications have existed since the early decades of Skyline High history. The participants of each publication are involved by taking the offered courses. The Skyline Oracle has won numerous honors over the years for the quality of its publication.
Skyline Mascot
Arson Fire
From Chris Treadway
In January of 1973, an ex-student of Skyline who at the time was AWOL from Fort Ord broke into the 20 Building in search of food or money. He said he threw a lighted match into a can of cleaning fluid. He said he tried to put the fire out but fled and pulled the fire alarm. When the fire department responded, they were unable to find it. Neighbors later saw the flames and called the fire department by this time the 20 Building was gone.
From the Skyline Yearbook
After leaving Skyline, he broke into a church down the hill and was arrested by the police; he had set off the silent alarm. While in police custody, he confessed to starting a fire at Skyline.
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
I wasn’t able to locate pictures of Sheffield School. I am hoping someone might have some. The same goes for Burbank, although I think the school looks pretty much the same now as it was built in 1950.
Update January 17, 2020
Burbank School
In 1928 plans for the new Burbank School on 64th Avenue in East Oakland were approved. The new six-room brick structure was to cost $60,000 and house 270 students.
The school is named after Luther Burbank, a botanist and horticulturist who made his home in Northern California.
Oakland Tribune Dec 8, 1928
Oakland Tribune Dec 28, 1928
New School
In 1948 plans for a new school and the reconstruction of the old school, the building was approved. They added an auditorium and a couple more classrooms. Hudspeth and Cerruti were the architects.
Oakland Tribune November 16, 1950
The new $297,777 Luther Burbank Elementary School was dedicated on November 15, 1950. The building is a one-story and had a capacity of 315 students.
Oakland Tribune Nov 16, 1950
School Song
High Upon a hill near home, there’s a school my very, very own Its name is Burbank Elementary, and of all the schools in Oakland, It’s the only one for me Burbank School, where we study hard each day Burbank School, where we have some fun and play Burbank School, you’re the best in every way So we give three cheers for Burbank School Hurray, Hurray, Hurray!
Burbank Today
Burbank Today – OUSD
Burbank Today – OUSD
Burbank was closed by the Oakland Unified School District in 2004.
Burbank is a special place in OUSD that supports infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with special needs through exemplary special education programming as well as related services
In 1923 a new one-room school was built on Sunkist Drive; the school was called Columbia Park (Columbian Park). Susie Thompson was the custodian of the school for three years. She lived next door to the school at 6868 Sunkist.
Oakland Tribune Aug 18, 1925
In the obituary of Susie Thompson, it is reported that a wind storm destroyed the first school, which was replaced by a new building in 1925.
New School
In September of 1948, they broke ground for the new Burckhalter School.
Oakland Tribune Sep 16, 1948
Burckhalter Today
Burckhalter Today – OUSD photo
Burckhalter Today – OUSD photo
Burckhalter Today – OUSD photo
More Info:
The school is located at 3994 Burckhalter Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94605
Plans were approved for the new Redwood Road Elementary School at 5000 Redwood Road. E. Geoffrey Bangswas the architect. The site included a field for the Oakland Recreation Department.
Oakland Tribune Nov 18, 1959
12 Classrooms
Administration Offices
Library
Multipurpose Room
The new school opened in 1960. The name was changed to honor Carl B Munck, who was the president of the school board (five times), was president of the California School Board, and was the president of the National School Boards Association in 1958.
Oakland Tribune Apr 1962
On a rare snow day in 1962, icicles formed on the shrubs after a sprinkler was left on.
Oakland Tribune Jan 22, 1962
In 1962 five local Girl Scout troops they donated a Colorado blue spruce tree to the school in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts.
Oakland Tribune Mar 27, 1962
Bus Service
In 1965 students were able to ride the bus to school. The bus made six to seven trips daily.
Oakland Tribune Sep 14, 1966
In 1966 without warning, the service was ended at the beginning of the school year as part of the Oakland School Board’s effort to make ends meet. Parents were concerned with the safety of children who couldn’t get a ride to school.
The young fourth-grader walks about a mile to school every day, up a steep and winding Redwood Road.
The Krause Avenue School (Webster Annex) was formally dedicated in November 1928.
Oakland Tribune Jul 31, 1928
The “Krause Avenue School” before being demolished to make room for the new school in 1956.
Oakland Tribune February 04, 1956
In March of 1929, the Oakland Board of Education changed the name of the Webster Annex school to Edwin Markham School in honor of the widely known California poet and educator. Edwin Markin was principal of the Tompkins School from 1891-1899
New School
Oakland Tribune Oct 14, 1949
In 1949 a new $450,000 school building with ten classrooms, an auditorium, and a kindergarten was dedicated. The building has a capacity of 385 students and was designed by Edward T. Foulkes.
Note:I have not been able to locate any pictures of the school
Oakland Tribune March 1950
The Sheffield Village School opened in March 1950. The four-classroom building was designed by C.A. Whitten, Dir. of Architecture for the Oakland Public Schools. The school cost $40 300.
The school closed in 1964, and the students were transferred to the San Leandro School District. The site is now used as a park and the Sheffield Recreation Center.
In this series of posts, I hope to show Then and Now images Oakland Schools. and a bit of history of each school, I highlight. Some of the photos are in the form of drawings or postcards, or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Updated March 2, 2020 – see Highland School
Edison Elementary School
In 1927 the Old Grant school at 29th and Broadway was closed, and two new schools were built to replace it, one on each side of Broadway.
Grant School No. 1 was at Kempton Ave and Fairmount Avenue and, Grant School No. 2 was at Summit and 29th Street.
The school was closed in 1975 because it was not up to earthquake standards. The school was later sold to developers, and the classrooms were converted into expensive condos.
The playground turned into a city park called Oak Park.
Highland School – circa 1910-12 Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising
Oakland Tribune Dec 28, 1907
Highland School was established as part of the Highland School District in 1908 and was annexed into the Oakland School district in 1909.
New School
The school was dedicated on November 14, 1908. There were 250 pupils had enrolled in the new Highland Grammar School. The Mission-style building was built at the cost of $23,000. There were 8 classrooms with the possibility of adding more.
Oakland Tribune 1908
1923 a one-story 8 classroom addition was built, and in 1924, they added an auditorium for $44,200.
New School
In 1957 the old school building was demolished. Plans were approved for a new school to house 644 pupils. The new school was designed by Andrew P. Anderson and Irwin M. Johnson.
Oakland Tribune Jan 29, 1958
In 1958 a new school was built to replace the one from 1908. The new building has 9 classrooms, a special classroom, administrative offices, a library, and a multi-purpose room. The total cost was $411,999. The 1923 addition was retained.
8521 A Street, Oakland, CAHighland School Today – google maps
More Info:
The school is located at 8521 – A Street Oakland, CA
Today the school is called the New Highland Academy. The vision for New Highland is that our students become creative thinkers, effective communicators, and compassionate members of their community.
Grant School was built in 1885 and was located on Broadway at the corner of 29th Street, then called Prospect Avenue. The Grocery Outlet is now where the school was originally.
A new school was approved in 1904. The plans were drawn up by San Francisco Architects Stone & Smith.
Another New School
The last day of school in the “old Grant School” building was January 9th, 1928. The 500 grammar school children would march in a parade to the new school buildings that were built. The two new buildings were constructed to replace Grant School. At that time they were called
Grant School No. 1 – Edison Elementary School (see above)
Grant School No. 2 – Grant School at 29th and Summit
Oakland Tribune May 30, 1928
The Front entrance in 1928
Building Abandoned
The old school building was abandoned and demolished. The land was sold for $350,000, and the money was used to pay for the new schools and property.
Oakland Tribune Jan 1928
Continuation School
In 1966 Grant became a continuation school.
Grant School Today
It is now the site of the Oakland Emiliano Zapata Street Academy.
The vision of Oakland Emiliano Zapata Street Academy (OEZSA/Street Academy) is to provide students a small, safe, high school with a social justice-focused college-preparatory education.
In December of 1925, Toler Heights School was just one portable classroom, where 40 students attended school. There were six grades in one room under the guidance of two teachers.
New School
In 1927 a new school was built. The school had four classrooms and was Spanish in design. The new school’s capacity was 180 students and cost about $36,000.
Dedication
Oakland Tribune May 1928
The new school building was dedicated on May 24, 1928.
Oakland Tribune May 1928Shared in the Oakland History Group on Facebook
Toler Today
The school is located at 9736 Lawlor St.
In 2007 the school became known as the Alternative Learning Community, a middle school.
In March of 2009, it became notable as the first, middle school in the United States to be officially named or renamed after US President Barack Obama.
It is now the Francophone Charter School. It opened in 2015 as Transitional Kindergarten through third grade, which offers a French language immersion program.
As I take a little break from my series on the schools in Oakland, I thought I would share this little bit of history with you.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator. Thomas Mahoney House, 69 Eighth Street, Oakland, Alameda County, CA . Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/ca0013/>.
These photos have popped up many times over the years, and I didn’t give them much thought. They popped up again yesterday. I decided to look into them and see what I could find.
Historic American Buildings Survey, Creator. Thomas Mahoney House, 69 Eighth Street, Oakland, Alameda County, CA . Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/ca0013/>.
Both photos are online at the Library of Congress. Please note there is a typo in the LOC description. The address is 669 Eighth Street.
I don’t know what became of the house after these photos were taken. I will let you know if I find out anything.
Early Pioneer
So, I started looking into Thomas Mahoney (sometimes spelled Mahony). Wow, I was amazed to find a Thomas Mahoney living at 669 Eight Street in 1871. In the 1880 census, he lived there with his wife and four children. I then located in an obituary from January 1900. In the obituary, I notice his daughter Laura’s married name is Bassett
!8718 Directory
1888 Directory
Mahoney came to California in the 1850s. He mined for a while in Tuolumne County before retiring on his ranch in the Hills of Oakland. In 1863, he sold his ranch and moved to the home on Eighth Street next to St. John’s Episcopal. He was married in 1863 and raised four children in the home. His wife died in 1891, and he died in 1900.
His obituary
Oakland Tribune Jan 29, 1900
Thomas Mahoney, a well-known pioneer of this city, died at his home at 660 Eighth Street, last evening, in the 71st year of his age.
The deceased was a native of Ireland and came to this State many years ago, where he engaged in ranching. He owned a large quantity of land to the north of the present city limits, from which the sites now comprising Mountain View, St. Mary’s, and the Jewish Cemeteries were purposed by the managers of those several burial places.
The deceased was a widower, his wife having died several years ago. He was the father of Mrs. Laura J. Bassett, Louise H., Emma E., and George Mahoney.
The funeral services will be held next Wednesday in St. John’s Episcopal Church. The interment will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Oakland Tribune Jan 29, 1900
Family members continued to live in the home until around 1913.
St. Mary’s Cemetery
In 1863, Archbishop Alemany purchased 36 acres of land known as the ” Mahoney Ranch” from Thomas Mahoney. The land is now called St. Mary’s Cemetery, next to Mountain View Cemetery. Thomas Mahoney was buried there in 1900.
Laura Mahoney Bassett was well known for her reminiscences in the Sunday Knave in the Oakland Tribune. She was the oldest daughter of Thomas Mahoney, and she was born in Oakland in 1866, where she lived most of her 80 years. She died in 1950.
In December 1943, there were winds up to 75 MPH and many fires in the hills and the East Bay. There were at least 10 brush and grass fires reported all over Northern California.
The smell of burning eucalyptus hung over the city for hours
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 19443
The fire in the Oakland hills started near Broadway Terrace and Skyline, in the area above the Broadway Tunnel (Caldecott Tunnel). There also was a fire on Snake Road.
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
The fire started just after midnight and burned for about 3 hours. The fire was most likely started by down wires knocked down by gale-force winds. There were over 30 fires reported all over Oakland.
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Wind and Fires Wreck Havoc
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Fire destroyed the garbage facility at the end of Davis Street
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:Â 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:Â Â 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 . . .
Oakland and Surroundings Illustrated and Described, showing its Advantages for Residence or Business, was published in 1885. W.W. Elliott was the publisher.
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
I thought I would share some beautiful illustrations from the publication. You can view the entire document here.
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
Oakland and Surroundings: illustrated and described,
showing its advantages for residence or business.
1885
