$20,000 Log Cabin – Fernwood

Fernwood was the beautiful country estate of Col. Jack C. Hays and his wife Susan in 1852.

Residence of Col. John C. Hays – Oakland History Room

After Hays died in 1883, the estate was sold to William J. Dingee. Dingee built an opulent 19-room Queen-Anne-style mansion and had additional landscaping with gardens, terraces, and waterfalls. He also added such features as a deer park and an elk paddock.

Fernwood The Residence of W.J.Dingee

Sadly, the home and countless artworks were destroyed in a fire in 1899. Oakland Tribune Oct 19, 1899

In 1915 Dr. and Mrs. Nelson M. Percy of Chicago, Illinois, purchased the former W.J. DIngee home “Fernwood” for an undisclosed amount.

Oakland Tribune Oct 15, 1915
Oakland Tribune Mar 12, 1916
Oakland Tribune Aug 19, 1923
SF Examiner Aug 18, 1923
SF Examiner Aug 18, 1923
Oakland Tribune Aug 26, 1923
Oakland Tribune Aug 16, 1923
Oakland Tribune Aug 4, 1923
The yellow arrow shows the log cabin, the green arrow shows the pool, and the blue arrow shows the tennis courts.

More of Fernwood

The End