The Home
In 1892, a group of prominent African American women from Oakland, California, formed the Old People’s Home Association (OPHA). Its purpose was to establish and sustain a home for the aged and infirm colored people.
The Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People was the first to be built in California. It was sometimes called Beulah Home because of its location in Beulah Heights (Beulah initially.)
Beulah Heights (originally just Beulah) was a district in Alameda County just northwest of Mills College. In 1909, it was annexed to the City of Oakland.
The association was directed by a Board of Directors consisting of thirty women and an advisory board of ten men, and the home was managed by a matron, nursing assistants, and a resident physician.
The association sponsored festivals, dances, and concerts to raise money for building costs.
The beautiful site on the northern border of Mills College for the home was donated by a Christian Missionary, George S. Montgomery, and his wife, Carrie Judd Montgomery of Beulah. The Montgomerys ran the Salvation Home of Peace.
Below is a page from the 1925 Vol 5 Sanborn Fire Map. The left circle shows what is now MacArthur Blvd. The right circle shows the home, which is now within the college campus.
After the OPHA secured the land, they hired local architect D.F. Oliver to draw up the plans for the home. The plans called for a neat two-story building with a mansard roof and underground basement for $2.773, and I. and H. Bingham were the builders.
The deed contained a few binding clauses:
“…the land was to be used only for the home, and should it ceased to exsit the property would revert back to Montgomery.”
“…no intoxicating shall ever be sold.”
The home was ready in two months and began receiving inmates (residents) in October 1897.
The two-story Victorian originally had sixteen rooms. In 1905, after an eight-room edition, which gave them room for nineteen residents. Electricity was added in 1919. In 1927, an annex of four bedrooms and two sleeping porches was added.
Donation Day
The association always needed money to keep the home open. They would sponsor dances, dinners, and donation days.
Once a year, the directors of the home made a plea to the people of Oakland to contribute a small portion to the comfort of the “elderly colored people” who lived there.
The Residents
Alcohol use was prohibited, and males and females were segregated in the living quarters. The women were required to sew, knit, and assist in domestic labor as they could. The men were required to cultivate the grounds and keep them in good order. The men also cared for the livestock. You had to be sixty-five or older to become a resident.
Initially, residents were charged a lifetime membership fee of $500.00. In 1919, the price was lowered to $350.00. In 1934, the price was $600.00.
In 1937, they proposed (not sure if they did) charging incoming residents:
- $ 1000.00-lifetime fee for 65 to 69 years old
- $ 800.00-lifetime fee for 70 years or older
- $ 1400.00-lifetime fee for out-of-state residents
The first resident was Alvin A. Coffey, a Kentucky-born, formerly enslaved person. He came to California during the Gold Rush.
1849 Alvin A. Coffey came to California with his master’s brother. Coffey was permitted to start a business for himself, but he was not allowed to keep his money. Between 1849 and 1857, he made three trips to California. On the third trip, he saved enough money to purchase freedom for himself, his wife, and his children. Coffey and his family settled in Shasta County in 1857.
1887, Coffey was the first African American to be inducted into the Society of California Pioneers.
Slaves Tale Told in the Court
An Oakland Tribune article from 1901 reported an unsuccessful attempt was made to have Alvin Coffey sent to an insane asylum.
Coffey stated the problem started when he sold a horse to the home’s matron and her daughter for $35.00. He said she refused to pay, so he went to the association, and they ordered her to pay.
“Since then, she has been very bitter towards me.” Coffey 1901
The matron swore to the complaint, charging Coffey with insanity. She alleged he attempted to put chickens to roost during the day and that he had
“a strange gleam in his eye.” Harriet Davis 1901
The complaint was discharged by the Lunacy Commissioner, who found Coffey to be of sound mind.
Mrs. Mary Ann Lane, a Negro Pioneer and ex-slave, died in the home in 1932 at the age of 102. She had lived there for twenty-five years.
Closing the Home
In 1937, the Department of Social Services informed them that their license to run the home was put on hold due to concerns they had about its financial condition.
At the same time, the Oakland Fire Marshall strongly recommended that the residents be moved to a safe, fire-proof building—the cost of bringing the old wooden building up to fire prevention requirements. The Community Chest of Oakland withdrew its monthly support.
“the present building constitutes a serious and dangerous fire hazard.” Oakland Fire Marshall, 1937
The home remained in business until 1938. , Mills College purchased the property in 1938 and the home was demolished in 1939.
Past Presidents
From Facebook
More Info:
- Colored Folks’ Home – SF Chronicle Aug 26, 1895
- A New Home – Oakland Enquirer August 17, 1897
- Alvin A Coffey was Not Insane – Weekly Searchlight Jul 26, 1901
- Inmates Charged Neglect – SF Chronicle Nov 6, 1901
- No Mismanagement at Home – SF Chronicle Nov 10, 1901.
- Death of A Well-Known Colored Man – Daily Red Bluff News Oct 30, 1902
- Another Building for Infirm Colored People – Oakland Enquirer June 22, 1905
- At the Home – Oakland Tribune Jul 08, 1905
- Seeks Aid for Old Folk’s Home – Oakland Enquirer Nov 27, 1916
- Beulah Home Donation Day – Oakland Tribune Nov 09, 1919
- Aged Negro Home Asking for Funds – Oakland Tribune Nov 21, 1921
- Dedicate New Annex – Oakland Tribune June 05, 1927
- Funeral Set for Ex-Slave – Oakland Tribune Mar 11, 1932
- Pioneers in Philanthropy – California Eagle Aug 16, 1935
- Aged Home Moving Under Advisement – Oakland Tribune Jan 25, 1936
- 44th Anniversary of the Home – Oakland Tribune Feb 23, 1936
- Home for Aged, Infirm – Oakland Tribune Feb 28, 1937
- Constitution and bylaws of the Home for Aged and Infirm Colored People of California – MS122_B01_F02_001
- Lifting as They Climbed: Making a Home for African American Seniors – Oakland Public Library
- Alvin Aaron Coffey, the California Trail – National Park Service
