Royal Edward Towns (February 10, 1899–July 23, 1990) was one of the first Black firefighters in Oakland. He was born in Oakland.
Royal E. Towns
He joined the OFD in 1927 and was assigned to Engine Company No. 22, a segregated firehouse in West Oakland. The station is located at 3320 Magnolia Street. He helped train many other black applicants to pass the test and was a scoutmaster for a Boy Scout troop that included Sam Golden, who became the first African American fire chief in Oakland.
The exterior of Engine No 22 firehouse
Royal Towns was the 11th black Oakland fireman hired in 1927. They didn’t employ the 12th for another 15 years.
Royal E. Towns (center) and his colleagues with Engine Company No. 22 of the racially segregated Oakland Fire Department. (1943)
Royal E. Towns and his colleagues with Engine Company No. 22 of the racially segregated Oakland Fire Department. (1943)
In 1971, there were only 35 black firefighters.
Towns became the first to be promoted in the OFD. He became a chief operator in 1941 and retired as a lieutenant in 1962.
Royal Towns on the left with Oakland firefighters standing in front of fire engine no. 22 – Circa 1943
Royal Towns was instrumental in helping desegregate the fire department. He helped train many other black applicants to pass the fire department test.
Personal Life
Royal Towns was born in Oakland on February 10, 1899, to William and Elizabeth Towns.
Towns married Lucille Dennis on May 26, 1920. They had three children and lived in various locations within Oakland.
The photos are courtesy of the Royal E. Towns papers, MS 26, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California. Photos at Calisphere
According to the tenants of the Peralta Villa housing projects in West Oakland, they first heard about the program when the group of boys from the Alameda County Central Labor Council (funded by a grant from the War on Poverty) started demolishing the backyard fences and flower gardens.
The fences were removed, Housing Authority officials say, as the first step in a program of “beautification”
The tenants were irate because some had paid the OHA for the fences and planted their gardens. No advance notice was given – the workers just started tearing everything up.
As a part of the War on Poverty, a work-study program was funded to provide the salaries of University of California students to work with the tenants.
The students worked with the residents of Lockwood Gardens to help them develop a sense of community identity and to learn how to help themselves.
These students encouraged the tenants to form the Lockwood Improvement League.
The War on Poverty funded the program,the same people supporting the “Beautification Program” and removing their fences.
The tenants of Peralta Villas met at Cole School and formed the Peralta Improvement League. Thirty tenants volunteered to create their own “human fence” They wrote up a list of demands and began their fight to save their gardens.
Stop tearing down the remaining fences.
Rebuild the fences already taken down
Reimburse the tenants whose private property was destroyed
Consult the tenants first before doing any further work
Oakland Tribune July 1965
The labor for the “Beautification Program” was provided by the Alameda County Labor Councilthrough a grant from the War of Poverty.
Lockwood Gardens
On June 25, 1965, the OHA decided to “beautify” the projects. They started with Lockwood Gardens.
The people of Lockwood Gardens newfound sense of community identity was outraged.
Each thirty-plus units in Lockwood Gardens had a yard, and most had fences. Some had lawns, and some had shrubs and flowers.
The enclosed yards gave the tenants a sense of individuality, security, and pride.
All backyard fences would come out; the lawns, shrubs, and flowers would be dug out. A common turf area without fences would replace private yards.
Oakland Tribune June 30, 1965
They had been using my yard as adverstiment for years.”
They were also upset by the lack of warning. They got 200 signatures in favor of keeping the fences.
The Lockwood Gardens tenants were all for beautification but not at the expense of their backyards. One tenant was upset because he had just rebuilt his fence. Not all the tenants of the tenants took care of yards or kept their fences in repair. But they felt the OHA could work it out with those tenants.
The Protests
Beautiful Backyard – July 1965 San Francisco News-Call Bulletin newspaper photograph archive
The tenants of both Peralta Villa and Lockwood Gardens protested and managed to halt or limit the work that could be done at either of the projects.
Oakland Tribune July 13, 1965
The OHA laid out a new backyard fence policy.
“Residents must keep their backyards neat and in repair; no new fences could be installed; no satisfactory fence will be torn down now, but eventual elimination of all fenced areas can be expected.”
In August of 1965, the OHA board voted to poll each family of Campbell Village, Lockwood Gardens, and Peralta Villa if they want a fence. Everyone was to be asked, even those who lived on the 2nd floor. There was a total of 916 total units in the three projects.
The tenants were given two choices in the questions asked :
Oakland Tribune Sep 01, 1965
“It appears to be a lower-the-cost- maintenance program”
The Pro-Fence group leader
In July 1966, one tenant reported that all the fences had been removed, and the place looked like a dump. The lawn was dead in most areas as it wasn’t being watered.
“Oakland in the days when oaks were here,and the Peralta’s owned all the land.”
Oakland Tribune Feb 1891
The house was located at N. E. corner east Eighth Street and Fourth Avenue, East Oakland.
The city directories list the addres as 404 East Eight Street. It was known in the early years as 202 Jefferson Street.
From the 1873 directory
From the 1884 directory
From the 1912 Directory
In Search of Gold
The lure of the gold drew Moses Chase and his son George to California in 1849. They sailed from Boston aboard the Capitol on a 176-day voyage.
Chase then became the first white man to settle in Oakland, and he first camped at the foot of what is now Broadway in 1849.
“Moses Chase was Oakland’s first authentic American settler”
Oakland Tribune May 1, 1932
After the search for gold did not pan out Chase leased land from the Peralta Family just east of what is now Lake Merritt. The area later became part of the Township of Clinton, later a part of Oakland.
The Cabin
He built a small cabin 14 feet wide and 24 feet from ship timbers, driftwood, and rough boards on this land. He intended to bring his new bride Mary Ellen Clinton back to California from Boston and live in the cabin. But she died before he arrived back home to marry her. Clinton Park was suposebly named in her honor.
Oakland Tribune May 1, 1932
In 1856 the front part was added. This would become the main section of the house. Over the years, other alternations and additions expanded the cabin into a two-story building of 17 rooms during its 86-year occupancy by Chase, his son, and his grandson.
The original section, after standing intact until 1936 when it was cut in half and became the laundry room.
Chase spent the later years of his life a near recluse on Bay Farm Island, but he died in the family home on February 17, 1891, at the age of 84. He was laid to rest at the Mountain View Cemetery.
In May of 1925, Albert B. Chase was married in the same room he was born 45 years before. Albert was the son of George Chase (1841-1919), the only child of Moses Chase.
At the time of his wedding, Albert was the only surviving member of the Chase family. His older brother died in 1924, and his sister in 1925.
Old Oakland Scene of a Marriage – Oakland Tribune May 2, 1925
Oakland 80th Birthday
In honor of Oakland’s 80th Birthday in May of 1932, the Clinton Improvement Association erected a sign on the home, noting its historical significance. Oakland Tribune Apr 07, 1932
Razing the Old Home
Oakland Tribune July 02, 1946
Oakland Tribune July 02, 1946
Through three generations, the old home continued at the family residence until, in 1936, Albert died. Albert’s widow sold the house to Guido Pacini, a trucking contractor. Pacini graded the adjacent lot for his trucking business. The old home was completely renovated and was used as a residence for Picini’s daughter and her husband.
Oakland Tribune July 02, 1946
In 1946 workman from the Symon Brothers Wrecking Company started demolishing the “old Chase home,” a small rear portion of which was the original cabin that Chase built-in 1849.
Cook Brothers Equipment Distributors began a 10-year lease of the old homestead after clearing it. Oakland Tribune July 02, 1946
Showing the 404 East 8th Street in 1951 – Sanborn Map
In 1924 brothers Paul and Herman Pause formed Montclair Realty Co. Before that, Paul worked for the Realty Syndicate.
Oakland Tribune Apr 01, 1928
Paul and Herman Pause
The business district of Montclair looked like this when Montclair Realty was formed.
Graded and staked lots in the undeveloped Montclair district’s downtown in Oakland, California Eston Cheney, photographer. from the Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room. Circa 1925
Cos. Williams, a builder, was the only other business then.
Sales offices of real estate broker and home builder Cos Williams in the undeveloped Montclair district’s downtown in Oakland, California. Graded and staked lots are visible in the foreground. DATE: [circa 1925] from the Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
In 1932 they moved into their new offices at6466 Moraga Avenue. The building was occupied by George B. Brooks, another real estate agent. The building is still there.
Oakland Tribune Sept 18, 1932
6466 Moraga Avenue – 2019
Montclair Highlands
“In All the World No View Like his”
Oakland Tribune 1928
Oakland Tribune Mar 4, 1928
In 1928 Montclair Realty was the developer and selling agent for a new tract behind the business district. One of the first homes was the “Model View Home,” built-in 1928.
Oakland Tribune May 6, 1928
10th Anniversary
In 1934 Montclair Realty celebrated its 10th Anniversary. During this time, they specialized in developing the rapidly growing hill area. Some tracts they worked on were Montclair Highlands, Montclair Acres, Montclair Estates, and Fernwood.
That year they opened Piedmont Uplands, a new tract along Moraga Avenue at Maxwelton Road. The Henry Maxwell family owned the land and ran a Maxwelton Farm dairy. Before that, it was the picnic grounds of Blair Park.
13th Anniversary
Oakland Tribune 1937
Montclair Realty celebrated its thirteenth Anniversary by moving into spacious new offices in Montclair Realty Building on Moraga Avenue. Harvey Slocombe designed the new two-story building in an authentic Spanish style, complete with a patio and tile roof. Howard Gilkey developed the garden.
New Montclair Realty Office – Oakland Tribune 1937
The unusual feature of the new building was the penthouse display home on the second floor. The living room – reception room had a Homebuilder’s Library, where prospective home builders can look through all the latest books and magazines on home building.
Dramatically different the Pent House Model home brings to you “Ideas of 1938” in colorful interior finishes and modern furnishings.
Oakland Tribune 1937
Silver Anniversary – 1949
Paul Pause was a founding member of the Montclair Improvement Club. He was a member of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce residential committee and its highway and transportation committee. He was also a member of the Commonwealth Club.
Death and New Owners
Paul Pause died in 1950. He was an important figure in the development of Montclair since the beginning.
Oakland Tribune 1950
Lucille Chasnoff purchased the company after Pause died in 1950. and John Mallett purchased the company from her in 1962.
Oakland Tribune Sept 1962
New Office in 1954-56
Oakland Tribune Jun 29, 1956
In 1954 they moved into the newly built Montclair Professional Building at 2084 Mountain Blvd. The Montclair Realty offices were on the ground floor; they owned the building.
The Montclarion 1956
It was the only office building that had off-street parking. The offices featured gold walls with charcoal woodwork with built-in desks and partitions.
The Montclarion 1956
Out with the Old
The old Montclair Realty building was demolished in 1961 to make room for expanding the Standard Station next door.
The Montclarion
The Montclarion 1961
In 2019 a new building replaced the old and outdated Montclair Realty Office Building.
2084 Mountain Blvd in 2019The Back of 2084 Moutain in 2019
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.”
Wow, the above headline is sensational at its best.
A fast-moving brush fire that destroyed at least four homes in Oakland threatened at least 50 more homes in the area of Pine Needle Road and Upper Broadway Terrace. This was on September 25, 1937.
Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
The photo below was taken at the height of the blaze, but before the fire jumped Tunnel Road.
Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
Families Flee
Oakland’s civilian defense police knocked on doors to tell the residents of Broadway Terrace, Upper Montclair, and Piedmont Pines to evacuate.
Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
Their families fled their homes in fear; others who sought to save their belongings were ordered out by the firefighters.
Big Trees Burn
The fire started close to the home of Police Inspector Jesse Jackson at 6019 Pinewood Road at around 3 pm on September 25, 1937, possibly due to someone burning trash in their yard.
Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
During the first six hours, the fire had burned across the western edge of the Pinehaven district, up Broadway Terrace to a point just below Skyline Blvd., and thenback down another canyon to the west.
SF Chronicle Sept 26, 1937
Flames burned through acre upon acre of brush and climbed up into the tops of pine and eucalyptus trees.
Hoselines Burned
Several hundred feet of hose laid across brush to ease the link from the pumps to the fire area were destroyed by flames. Lack of water was a problem; they had used up all the water in the reservoirs (tanks) in the immediate area.
Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
The abnormally high temperature, combined with the heat of the flames, made it difficult to fight the fire.
Oakland Post Enquirer, Sept 27, 1937
Eyewitness Accounts
C.F. Humphrey – 13025 Broadway Terrace
Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
Mrs. Marguerite Risley – 6493 Farralone Way
Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
Homes Lost or Damaged
Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
Homes Destroyed
6142 Ruthland Road
6539 Gwin Road
15030 Broadway Terrace
“The photo at left shows the flames encircling the little summer home Ted Gould on Broadway Terrace. A few minutes later it had been engulfed.” Oakland Tribune, Sept 26, 1937
Homes Damaged
16060 Broadway Terrace
17014 Broadway Terrace
17044 Broadway Terrace
17050 Broadway Terrace
6142 Pinewood Road
Sept 26, 1937
Sept 26, 1937
Arrest
The fire started when a “backyard bonfire” got out of control. An Oakland music teacher was arrested the Monday after the fire for burning trash in his home at 6064 Mountain Blvd. He stated the fire got out of hand and spread up the canyon towards Skyline Blvd.
Oakland Tribune, Sept 28, 1937
The music teacher was charged with a misdemeanor and was freed on $100 bail after explaining to the court that he did not know he needed a permit. He also said, “a sudden gust of wind spread the fire.”
Later, the court suspended his sentence and the $100 fine, as it did not believe he had set the fire intentionally, but rather due to carelessness. The teacher was put on probation for 180 days.
1929 Fire
There was a fire in November 1929 in the same area. Some of the same homes were damaged at that time. The Powers home at 6142 Ruthland Road was damaged in 1929, only to be destroyed by fire in 1937. The Albright home at 16060 Broadway Terrace was damaged in both fires.
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.
Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
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!
Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
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.
Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
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
Oakland Tribune Nov 13, 1933
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
“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 Drivein what is now Rockridge.
In 1909, Philip E. Bowlespurchased 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.
Oakland Tribune March 28, 1909
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.
SF Chronicle July 28, 1913
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.
Oakland Tribune June 17, 1910
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.
Oakland Tribune May 30, 1912
Death of P.E. Bowles
On January 20, 1926, Philip Bowles died at 67.
SF Examiner January 21, 1926
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.
Oakland Tribune October 15, 1926
Claremont Pines
Oakland Tribune August 26, 1928
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.
Oakland Tribune February 26, 1928
After spending two years remodeling and adding new furniture, including expensive Persian rugs, Williams put the home up for sale in 1932
As for No. 2 Bowling Drive 1931
Oakland Tribune September 05, 1932
The Wrecking Ball
In 1938, the main house was destroyed by the wrecking and sold off piece by piece—a sad ending for a home that was just 28 years old.
Oakland Tribune Feb 1938
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.
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.
Oriental (now we would say Asian) theme in a small home. The five-room home is located at 10 Overlake Courtabove 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.
Oakland Tribune Feb 1940
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.
Oakland Tribune Feb 1940
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 theMerriewood area, did the brickwork.
From 1944
Oakland Tribune Feb 1940
Modern with “oriental touch.” Delightful patio. Price at $6450.00 in 1940.
