Claremont Pines Model Home

Claremont Pines was formally the P.E. Bowels estate “The Pines.”  It is bounded by Broadway Terrace, Country Club Drive, Acacia Drive, and Romany Road.

Oakland Tribune

Palatial Home to be Built

In July 1928, a palatial residence, the Tribune-Schlesinger Home, was to be built in the new subdivision Claremont Pines developed by York Company Inc.

Oakland Tribune 1928

The Spanish-Mediterranean-style home was sponsored by the Oakland Tribune and was furnished by B.F. Schlesinger and Sons 

The house was designed by Frederick H. Reimers, an Oakland architect, and was constructed by C. Dudley de Velbiss, a well-known builder.

Drive Out Today

The Oakland Tribune columns fully describe each phase of the construction. The site was open to the public during construction.

Great care was taken in selecting the residence, which occupies a prominent corner overlooking the Claremont golf course and facing the Golden Gate.

“The Mediterranean type of architecture was selected to conform to the contour of the site and to the general rolling nature of the terrain.”

Frederick Reimers July 29, 1928

The house has sixteen rooms, each with an individual style. It also has a ballroom, library, and smoking room.  

The halls and library have floors of colored, hand-made tile and arched doorways.  

Ground Floor – Oakland Tribune 1928

It is further enhanced by a series of walled-in courts and terraces. 

The landscaping was done under the supervision of Johannes Reimers, a local landscaper and artist who was also Frederick’s father.

Tribune-Schlesinger Home Breaks Ground

On August 09, 1928, the official groundbreaking was held in the presence of a large group of Eastbay notables.

Oakland Tribune August 1928

Home Nearing Completion

“Plastering is now ready to start.”

Oakland Tribune 1928

$55,000 was invested in the project, exclusive of the furniture and furnishings.

Unique Feature of Home

“a haven of rest and peace from the busy world.”

Frederick H. Reimers Architect

The exterior brick fireplace and terrace brick walls leading to the entrance are the same color as the stucco.

A Firm Foundation

Another feature was the concrete foundation installed by J.H. Fitzmaurice, Inc., a local concrete contractor. The foundation’s material was of the very best quality at the time. 

All bearing walls are twelve inches in thickness.

Shows Rapid Progress

Significant progress was reported on November 04, 1928. It was expected to open on December 02, 1928.

Oakland Tribune November 1928

Under the guidance of A.L. Abrott of B.F. Schlesinger & Sons, a rare harmony of late Renaissance furnishings, promised to make the home of exceptional interest.

The upper floors followed the lighter moods of the seventeenth century when Venice was still at the height of her glory.

The ballroom or social hall on the ground floor was decorated in the spirit of modern jazz and twentieth-century amusement.

Magnificent Vestibule

Upon entering the vestibule, one is impressed by the tremendous Castillian effect of the entrance and the monumental stairway—the curving staircase with artistic hand-wrought iron railing.

Oakland Tribune October 28, 1928

The main stairway leads to a secondary vestibule, giving access to four bedrooms.

New Type of Telephones

Convenience was the new type of telephone installation by Pacific Bell. Each telephone is placed to obtain the highest possible comfort and privacy for the users and blend in with the decor.

Two main lines were installed: one for the family’s use and the second primarily for the servants’ use.

A hand telephone with a key box was installed in the master bedroom. The keys could cut off the servant’s phone for privacy.

Oakland Tribune 1928

A wall telephone connected to the servants’ line was placed in the garage.

Formally Opened

The formal opening was held on Sunday, December 30, 1928.  Lucile Webster Gleason of the Dufwin Theater, star in “The Shannons of Broadway,” formally opened the doors.

Large Crowds

Ten thousand visitors viewed the home in its first opening week, and seven thousand attended the opening day.

Oakland Tribune Feb 1929

Tribune-Schlesinger Home Claremont Pines

Tribune-Schlesinger Home Claremont Pines Cheney Photo Advertising 1928

Claremont Pines Homes

Oakland Tribune 1929

More Info:

Claremont Pines – Oakland Local Wiki

Today

Google
  •  2 Westminster Drive
  • Frederick H. Reimers, architect
  • C. Dudley de Velbiss – builder
  • York Company Inc. – Developers
  • Built-in 1928
  • Sold for $2,3 million in 2008

The End

Attractive Lynn Homes

Lynn Homes on Nicol Avenue

Eight charming five-room homes of Spanish and Mission architecture were built by Willis F. Lynn on Nicol Avenue. Five of the houses were sold before they were completed. The last three went on sale on June 14, 1925.

Oakland Tribune June 14, 1925

Each house has:

  • Breakfast room or nook
  • Dining room with built-in buffet
  • laundry room
  • Hardwood floors throughout
  • Automatic water heaters
  • Separate garage

Priced at $5950.00 in 1925.

Oakland Tribune June 14, 1925
Lynn Homes Nicol Ave today – Google
MapsNicole Avenue today – Google maps
2639 Nicol Avenue – today Google Maps

Lynn Homes on Best Avenue

Oakland Tribune Nov 15, 1925

Another group of homes went on sale on November 15, 1925. Located on Best Avenue between Brookdale and Trask. The houses have an attractive and varied style of architecture.

Each of the homes has six-rooms, a garage, and a laundry room.

  • Large living room windows
  • Large convertible breakfast rooms
  • Wards heating system and Trojan water heaters
  • Bathrooms with tile floors
  • Base plugs throughout the house
  • Lawns and shrubs and fences

Priced at $6950.00 each in 1925

Best Avenue today – Google Maps
2506 Best Avenue today – Google maps
2495 Best Avenue today – Google Maps
2462 Best Avenue – google maps
Oakland Tribune Dec 1926

Two Beautiful Lakeshore Highlands Homes

Lynn also built two homes in the Lakeshore Highlands (Trestle Glen) neighborhood. One at 983 Longridge Road and the other at 957 Sunnyhills Road.

983 Longridge Road

  • Immense living room
  • Social Hall with cheerful fireplace
  • Large dining room
  • Master bedroom with sleeping porches and dressing room
  • Maid’s room
  • Radio wiring to the living room

Priced at $30,000 in 1928

983 Longridge Road today – Google maps

957 Sunnyhills Road

  • Large living room
  • Breakfast room with built-in cabinets
  • 3 bedrooms with porches
  • 3 bathrooms
  • Maid’s room
  • Full basement

Priced at $18,500 in 1928

957 Sunnyhills Road Google Maps

Another home

Oakland Tribune 1926

The End

The Pines

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 Drive in what is now Rockridge (I guess).

Oakland Tribune April 04, 1910

Land Purchased

In 1909, Philip E. Bowles purchased 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 $700,000 for 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 to 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.

    Announcement of Mary Bowles’ Gift: March 19, 1927

    Caretaker House

    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.

    More Info:

    Photographs

    The End

    The Highest Home in Oakland – 1928

    “1928 Model View Home

    The 1928 Model View Home – Oakland Tribune 1928

    The 1928 Model View Home is situated at the Top of the World” in reality the topmost peak in Montclair Highlands, overlooking several counties as well as affording a magnificent sweep of the entire bay and part of the Pacific Ocean beyond.

    Montclair Highlands Commands Ones of The World’s Finest Views, and Only 15 Minutes From Downtown

    Montclair Realty – 1928

    Combining modern features in fixtures with a marine view, the Spanish themed home with certain additions, designed by Hamilton Murdock, an Oakland architect.

    Oakland Tribune 1928
    Oakland Tribune March 1928

    The “1928 Model” View Home “The Home Electric.” All the latest features of proven merit – the things you have wondered about are used in the “1928 Model” home, including Oakland Tribune Mar 25, 1928

    • Complete Electrification
    • Quartz-Lite – window glass
    • Colored plumbing ware
    • Venetian Cabinets
    • Linoleum Floors
    • Balanced Illumination
    Oakland Tribune 1928

    Screen Test for Children

    In November of 1928, they held a movie screen test for children in the “1928 Model View “ home. The screen test was under the direction of the Sherman Clay Company.

    Oakland Tribune Nov 11, 1928
    The Oakland Tribune November 1928

    The “1929 Model View” Home

    For a few weeks in 1929 is was renamed.

    Oakland Tribune Dec 1928
    Oakland Tribune 1936
    Asking price $8750.00
    1954 – Asking price $17,500
    1969

    Location

    The “1928 Model View” home is located at 1949 Asilomar Drive in Montclair. It was one of the first homes built in the hills directly behind the business district of Montclair. The area was called Montclair Highlands. The 1928 Model View Home was built just up the hill, the lone home to the left of the arrow.

    1928 photos showing the of the Observation Tower
    The solitary home to the left of the yellow area is the Callahan House
    at 1989 Asilomar Drive
    Photo from East Bay Hills Project

    The house has 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and last sold in 1974. I don’t have a present-day picture.

    1949 Asilomar Drive – Google Maps
    • 1928 Model View Home
    • Montclair Highlands
    • Spanish Style
    • Hamilton Murdock – architect
    • Elmo Adams – builder
    • Howard Gilkey – a landscaper
    • Paul Pause – owner
    • Montclair Realty
    • 1949 Asilomar Drive

    The Callahan House is the bottom in the photo below.

    Oakland Tribune 1928
    1989 Asilomar Drive – Google Maps

    Last sold in 2017 for $1, 682, 619 – 1989 Asilomar Drive

    The End

    Montclair Observation Tower

    The Montclair Observation Tower was a two-story tower built by the Realty Syndicate in 1925 to assist with the selling of homes in the newly opened area of  Montclair Highlands.

    Montclair Observation Tower 1925 - Oakland History Room
    Montclair Observation Tower – Montclair Highlands 1923 –  Oakland History Room

    Every night the Observation Tower was illuminated by the Idora Park searchlight – “the most powerful searchlight in the world.”

    “On a clear day, it is said you could see points as far away as the Farallon Islands.” 

    Oakland Tribune June 25, 1925
    Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jun_21__1925_
    Oakland Tribune  June 25, 1925
    Oakland Tribune August 16, 1925
    Oakland Tribune Jun 21, 1925

    The tower was still standing in July of 1929. I don’t when the tower was removed. I have heard that the was heavily damaged in a late-night fire in 1929 or 1930. But I have no proof.

    Location of the tower

    The tower (yellow arrow) is seen in this 1929 aerial By Fairchild

    Montclair in 1928 Fairchild Aerial with arrow jpg

    Near the intersection of Asilomar Drive and Aztec Way.

    observation tower

    The End

    Casa Altadena

    In Smith Reserve

    Atop one of the knolls, commanding full advantage of the ever-changing vistas, is Casa Altadena, the distinctive exhibition home of Realty Syndicate. Company”

    SF Examiner February 11, 1928
    Casa Altadena – flickr

    Casa Altadena is of Spanish architecture. It occupies a knoll overlooking beautiful wooded vistas and canyons on one side and a panorama of the bay on the other.

    Oakland Tribune – January 29, 1928

    Opening Day

    SF Examiner February 11, 1928
    SF Examiner February 11, 1928

    Over 500 people attended the opening on January 29, 1929.

    Oakland Tribune February 5, 1928

    Casa Altadena reflects the discerning taste of its decorators, who sought to incorporate the romance of the Peraltas into its furnishings.

    One of the rooms in Casa Altadena – Oakland Tribune January 29, 1928

    Details include its tiled roof, arched doorways, decorative tiles, wood trims, antique wall sconces, and decorative wrought-iron work.

    Oakland Tribune – 1928
    Oakland Tribune August 16, 1931

    Casa Altadena Today

    Casa Altadena Today – 6401 Chelton Drive
    The house today
    • Casa Altadena
    • Smith Reserve (Piedmont Pines)
    • Open January 29, 1928
    • Spanish design
    • Realty Syndicate
    • Still there
    • 6401 Chelton Drive

    Location on Google Maps

    More Info:

    Updated July 17, 2020

    The End