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: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 . . .
It is located where Foothill Blvd meets Trask Street and 55th Avenue. 55th Avenue was formally called Central Avenue, and Foothill Blvd was often referred to as the Scenic Boulevard. Central Terrace also includes Ruth Avenue, Laverne Avenue, El Camille Avenue, and Kingsland Avenue. The area now is considered to be an extension of Maxwell Park or the Fairfax District, depending on who you talk to.
Mutual Realty Co.’s Central Terrace office,
Foothill Boulevard at 55th Avenue and Trask Street looking north
Cheney Photo Adv. Co., photographers. C 1912
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
Brochure for Central Terrace
The Mutual Realty Company put the Central Terrace Subdivision on sale in April of 1912. The agent was Fred T. Wood, who later took over the project. Then they added the Central Terrace Extension and Scenic Park Knoll
Earth Sciences and Map Library,
The University of California, Berkeley -Cadastral map. Historic Maps of Bay Area
“Central Terrace is surrounded by modern schools and educational institutions of the very highest standard, the John C. Fremont high erected at the cost of $140,000, the Melrose School, the W.P. Frick School and the Lockwood Grammar School and the famous Mills Seminary for young ladies, all are within short walking distance from any part of Central Terrace”
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.
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
I found the following article when I was doing the research for my post on the Hays Canyon Murder and another I am working on. I immediately went searching for the paintings, and I found photos of them. Absolutely beautiful. Sharing what I found. The first painting is somewhere in the hills above Piedmont.
Oakland Tribune Feb 24, 1886
The artist William Keith spent some time in Piedmont Hills painting the following.
View from Piedmont Hills – c 1886
“View from Piedmont Hills,”
oil on canvas, unsigned, canvas: 15.75″h x 29″w.
Sunshine Court is group homes built byPedigreed Home Builders in 1927
Each house had 4 or 5 rooms with separate garage, ranging in from $3950-$4550.
Every Sunshine Court Home had a dining room set, gas range, Hoyt water heater, linoleum, curtain rods, bathroom fixtures, and other time and money-saving extras.
The first six homes went on sale in May of 1927
1425 Sunshine Court.
1638 Sunshine Court.
1645 Sunshine Court
1651 Sunshine Court
1657 Sunshine Court
1665 Sunshine Court
Sunshine Court Model Home
“Le Petit Chateau” was located at 1665 Sunshine Court.  The home was entirely furnished by  Montgomery Wards.
Ardsley Heights is part of Bella Vista Park and is now considered part of Ivy Hill. The streets of Ardsley Heights are Park Blvd, East 28th Street, Bay View Avenue, Lake View Avenue Elliot Street, and East 34th Street.
Ardsley Heights went on sale in October 1912 by the Realty Syndicate.
Adjoining F.M. Smith’s home
Directly across from the Home Club
Twelve Minutes by car from Broadway
Oakland Tribune Oct 12, 1912
Oakland Tribune Sep 1912
A sign advertising the Ardsley Heights tract Circa 1915
Cheney Photo Adv. Co., photographers.
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
ohrphoto.districts.148
The above photo shows the house at 1011 Bay View Ave. It was built in 1915.
Bayview Avenue between East 28th and Elliot Streets
in the Ardsley Heights tract, circa 1915 Cheney Photo Adv. Co., photographers.
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
ohrphoto.districts.147.
The above photo shows the house at 985 Bay View Avenue –
Park Boulevard in Ardsley Heights c 1915 Cheney Photo Adv. Co., photographers.
Previously sold on eBay
View from Ardsley Heights
Showing the Home Club (later the German Pioneer Home) and the Smith Cottages (Home for Friendless Girls). The German Pioneer Home was demolished to make room for Oakland High School.
Home Club and Smith Cottages from Ardsley Heights C 1915 Cheney Photo Adv. Co., photographers
Previously sold on eBay
Hays Canyon or sometimes called “Jack Hayes Canyon,” was the area in hills behind Piedmont. Now known as Thornhill Canyon, Thornhill Drive, and Moraga Avenue. For more info, please see here – Oakland Local Wiki – Hays Canyon
On June 6th, 1894, Manuel Souza Quadros was murdered on the old Thorn Road in the “Jack Hayes Canyon” (Hays Canyon) by an unknown man while returning home. “The assassin did his work well and left no trace behind him.” Quadros had a wife and three children. He had a very “good reputation as a sober and industrious fellow.” He was returning home after delivering milk to the Oakland Creamery.
To reach the Moss Ranch (not sure where this was will have to research more), he had to pass through the canyon pass Blair Park. When found, he was lying on the seat of his wagon “in a lonely place” in the canyon. He was shot in the breast. He was killed instantly by a 44 caliber pistol.
Theodore Medau, a rancher, gives an only clue to the murder. He says, “a middle-aged man, who was very excited,” stopped him and said that a man was dead down the road. The man said he had 15 miles to drive, and he was in a hurry. Medau went down the road a few hundred yards and found the deceased. San Francisco Chronicle June 07, 1984
Miller does not seem to be frightened at the prospect of a noose.
San Francisco Call Nov 14, 1894
Acquitted of Murder
Frank Miller Will Not Have to Stand a Trial
The moment Miller walked out of the courtroom, he said he was going to “start to walk East at once.”
San Francisco Chronicle Nov 21, 1894
Discharged and Rearrested
San Francisco Chronicle Nov 21, 1894
Murdered Man’s Estate
San Francisco Chronicle Nov 24, 1894
Cold Case
Now the question is who killed Manuel Quadros? I can’t find anything on it…yet.
Is this considered a “cold case”?
Is it still on the books?
Does the modern-day Oakland Police Department even know about this murder?
Was he murdered for his estate?
Inquiring minds want to know.
More to come, I hope.
Update
In January of 1886, a man by the name of John Schneider (the name he gave them) was arrested for a stagecoach robbery in Ukiah. When he was arrested, the SF Call published a picture of him. See Below
Attorney Tom Garrity recognized the man as Frank Miller. Garrity was Miller’s attorney during the Manuel Quadros’s murder case. Two other men also identified Schneider as Miller.
