A bit more history of the display or model homes in the Piedmont Pines neighborhood. There seems to be a lot of information on these homes, and local architects (now famous) designed many.
Spanish View Home – Ascot Lane
“The Spanish View Home is completely equipped with the latest ideas in modern home construction”
Oakland Tribune 1932
The Spanish View Home and the one next to it were designed and built by Thomas Sharman.
Oakland Tribune June 26, 1932
“Spanish View Home” 31 Ascot Lane – Google Maps
Architectural Prize Home – 1933 – Unknown Location
I haven’t been able to locate the address of this house. If you recognize it, please let me know.
Oakland Tribune November 19, 1933
The Architectural Prize Display Home was designed by Miller & Warnecke. The design was chosen from among 19 individual plans submitted by 11 different architects during a competition in the spring of 1933.
Oakland Tribune December 10, 1933
It opened in December 1933. Thirty-nine hundred and eighty-five visitors walked through the home on its opening day, and by the end of the first two weeks, over Seventy-five hundred people had visited the house.
The home was created with these three principle points:
Moderate in price -well within the means of the average family.
It had to fit the site in Piedmont Pine and take full advantage of the contour of the lot, the size of the lot, the view, and the trees.
It had to set a standard for the future homes to be built in the area.
Miller & Warnecke had this in mind when they designed the home.
Oakland Tribune Dec 1933
There are seven large rooms, including the rumpus room or recreation hall, in the basement. The living room, dining room, and kitchen are on the patio level. The bedrooms are elevated a half story above the living room.
Oakland Tribune November 26, 1933
The home was furnished by Breuner’s of Oakland, and L’Hommedieu were the selling agents.
Smith Reserve was a subdivision in Montclair and is now called Piedmont Pines.
Smith Reserve is located at the top of Park Blvd with borders on Shepherd Canyon and Joaquin Miller Park and up to Skyline Blvd.
Smith Reserve Opens
The Realty Syndicate announced in May of 1926 that they were putting 300 acres in the hills behind Piedmont for sale. TF.M. Smith once owned the land.
Page from 1928 Brochure of Smith Reserve courtesy of Chris Treadway
“Smith reserve is the most beautiful tract of land opened by the Syndicate Company”
Oakland Tribune
Oakland Tribune May 23, 1926
“Much of the beauty of Smith Reserve is due to the varied groupings of oaks, ecualyptus and pine trees which cover the entire tract. The different shades of green, together with the variety of sizes and shapes of these trees afford an almost endless variety of choice to people in search of unusualsettings for distinctive homes.”
Oakland Tribune
Huge Sales!
In July of 1926, two months after the subdivision was open, the Realty Syndicate reported nearly $250,000 in sales. They also said a bus transportation system would be implemented, connecting with both local and San Francisco electric lines. – Oakland Tribune, July 18, 1928.
“Scenic Beauty”
Oakland Tribune 1926
Oakland Tribune May 30, 1926
S.F. Examiner Sep 4, 1926
S.F. Examiner Oct 28, 1928
“The Princely Estate of F.M. “Borax” Smith”
“Selected years ago by F.M. “Borax” Smith as a private estate when thousands of acres of the finest residentioal property in the East Bay were owned by him, Smith Reserve was set apart for eleborate development.”
Oakland Tribune
1912: Map of Oakland and vicinity published by the Realty Union, compiled from optical and other data by T. J. Allan; T. R. Morcom
Smith built Arbor Villa on the site further down on Park Blvd.
Arbor Villa estate, as seen from across Park Boulevard
Camp Dimond
In 1919, 25 acres of the Smith Reserve were sold to the Oakland-Piedmont Council of the Boy Scouts of America for a camp. It was calledCamp Dimond and was in use from 1919-1948.
In 1948 the Oakland Public School district took over the land and built Joaquin Miller Elementary and Montera Junior High Schools.
Bus Service
In July of 1928, the Realty Syndicate inaugurated a regular bus service into Montclair Highlands and Smith Reserve from the terminal at Moraga Ave and Hampton Road ( now La Salle Ave.) The buses had a regular schedule but alternated their run. It would go to Smith Reserve first on one trip and go to Montclair Highlands first on the next trip.
S.F. Examiner Jul 28, 1928
In Smith Reserve
In September of 1928, they broke ground for two new Spanish-type homes ranging from $10,000 to $15,000 in building costs. Architect Hamilton Murdock completed plans for four additional homes with three more on the drawing board. They embraced various types of architecture. Two of the homes were of the modified Spanish hacienda type with balconies overlooking the Eastbay and the Golden Gate.
S F Examiner Apr 14, 1929
One of the homes started in 1928 was the residence of G.O. Thomas. This h me was Spanish in style and was to cost $20,000.
S.F. Examiner Apr 13, 1929
The Harry S. Stockman is a nine-room English-type home that cost $25,000 to build. The house has a panorama view of the hills, Eastbay, and landscaped grounds and is at 5640 Castle Drive at Mountain Gate.
The “Painted Rock” is a famous, well-known landmark in Piedmont Pines, often fully painted with birthday or anniversary messages. Painted Rock is located at the ‘Y” where Ascot Drive and Chelton Drive
Google Maps
The area was called Sulphur Springs Park.
Google Maps
Some History
In the 1930s, the Rock was placed in a project under the auspice of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). I believe they created the benches.
In the 1960s, residents began painting messages on the rock. This tradition has continued to this day.
The Montclarion 1963
Early on, the area residents complained about the messages that appeared on the Rock. Some called it “grafitti rock.“
A Bufano Statue
There was talk of placing a Bufano statue at the rock.
The Montclarion 1966
At the crossroads
“There’s a rock at the intersection of Ascot and Chelton drives and it’s become almost a national monument in Piedmont Pines”
Peggy Stinnett 1966
Updated from Facebook
The Montclarion – October 12, 1966
“People who live in Piedmont Pines drive past the rock twice a day more or less”
Peggy Stinnett 1966
There was even a “Save the Rock” campaign for a while. They insisted the Rock should stay in its natural state. Others said the Rock should be a “servant to young mankind, a forum for self-expression.” While the groups were going back and forth, city crews came in and sandblasted the Rock. The controversy didn’t happen when the Rock was painted in purple.
“I am a Rock.”
The Rock is Famous
SF Examiner May 1, 1978
The above article was repeated or excerpted in many newspapers across the nation.
The Arizona RepublicThe Paducah Sun KentuckyThe Gettysburg Times PennsylvaniaThe Sun Biloxi Mississippi
Name Change
In 2003, Piedmont Pines residents petitioned the City of Oakland to honor Marjorie Saunders (1909-2009) many contributions by renaming Sulphur Springs Park (“Painted Rock”) to “Marjorie Saunders Park.”
Marjorie Saunders in front of the Rock
On June 26, 2004, more than 100 neighbors and dignitaries turned out for the Park’s dedication in her name.
From the Piedmont Pines Neighborhood Association
From Google Maps
Toxic
Oakland sixth-grader Cameron Cox tests the water that runs off the “painted rock” at Marjorie Saunders Park. Cox, 12, found that people often use toxic paint on the Rock, which pollutes the watershed. (Photo courtesy of Cox)
A middle school student, Cameron Cox, reported on the potential pollution associated with painting the Rock.
“After passing by the rock nearly every day on her way to school, 12-year-old Cameron Cox, decided to test the water that runs off the rock into a creek for a Bentley School project, and found harmfully high levels of levels of acetone, butanone, benzene and other volatile compounds.”
From Bruce GoodmanFrom FacebookFrom Google MapsFrom Google MapsFrom Guy CherryRIP KeithRIP Guy Cherry
Photo by Mark Stauffer April 2023
More Info:
Does anyone have photos of painted Rock that they would like to share? Please let me know. Thanks
Marjorie Saunders Park and the Painted Rock – Fact Sheet
This fact sheet addresses recent concerns associated with potential pollution associated with the painting of the Rock at Marjorie Saunders Park.
“For almost 70 years, PPNA has been the voluntary steward of this Park and has recently been in discussions with the city to address the pollution concerns that have been raised.” – website.
The city confirmed that painting the Rock is not permitted
In this series of posts, I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Montera Junior High
Montera and Joaquin Miller Schools are located where Camp Dimond, owned by the Boy Scouts, once was. The camp opened in 1919 and closed in 1949 when the board of education purchased the land.
Groundbreaking
The groundbreaking ceremony was held in December 1957. The school was next to Joaquin Miller Elementary School. Speakers at the event were Peter C. Jurs, board member; Mrs. Robert Hithcock, President of the Joaquin Miller PTA; Zoe Kenton, eighth-grade student; Jim Ida, seventh-grade student; and Supt Selmer Berg. Rev Robert H. Carley led the invocation.
Malcolm D. Reynolds and Loy Chamberlain designed the school. The new school featured: Administration Offices.
Construction
Jan 1958
1958
Parking Lot – November 1958
Gymnasium
June 1958 Russ Reed Photo
Naming the School
Montera Junior High – Nov 1959
The school was temporarily called Joaquin Miller Junior High because it is adjacent to Joaquin Miller Elementary School.
As in all new Oakland Schools, the students, faculty, and community help choose the school’s name.
Recommendations to the school board from the school’s parent-facility club were as follows:
Jack London Junior High
Montera Junior High
Pineview Junior High
They were set to vote on the name at the next board meeting. Before they could vote, they received a second letter from the parent-faculty club at the school withdrawing the recommendation of Jack London Junior High.
Theparents said that.
London was not a fit person for the honor.“
Parent – Faculty
SF Chronicle – Oct 1959
A student representative said, “Montera Junior High” was the top choice for those attending the school. The area was known historically as the Montera District.
Oakland Tribune November 23, 1924
School Dedication
The school was formally dedicated as Montera Junior High on November 10, 1959
In 2011, Montera became a California Distinguished School. The woodshop is another source of school pride, having celebrated over 50 years of teaching children the arts of woodcraft. It is the only remaining woodshop in an Oakland middle school.
I hope to show Then and Now images of Oakland Schools in this series of posts. Along with a bit of the history of each school, I highlight. Some photos are in the form of drawings or postcards or from the pages of history books.
Note: Piecing together the history of some of the older schools is sometimes tricky. I do this all at home and online — a work in progress for some. I have been updating my posts when I find something new. Let me know of any mistakes or additions.
Updated December 17, 2019
Montclair Grammar School
Oakland Tribune September 20, 1925
The Montclair District held formal dedication ceremonies in their first school on March 14, 1926. The service is under the direction of A.R. Romer, the principal, and Mrs. J.D. Bishop, the teacher in charge of the 71 students already registered to attend the school.
Oakland Tribune March 15, 1926
The four-room schoolhouse was built with funds from the building program funded by a $9,000,000 bond issue voted by the people of Oakland in 1924.
In attendance were Mrs. Stanton Lore representing the Montclair Women’s Club, and Mrs. E.T. Jepsen of the Piedmont Avenue PTA
Oakland Tribune 1926
Montclair School 1927
Montclair School 1927
Montclair School 1927
The original brick building with a tile roof was later considered an earthquake risk and razed in 1936. They used portables for many years.
Oakland Tribune Oct 1936
The new school building was dedicated in 1942, with nine classrooms, an administrative suite, an arts and crafts room, a PTA room, and a Library, was created. In 1947, a Cafeteria and Assembly Hall were added.
Auditorium
Montclair in the 1950s
Montclair is located at 1757 Mountain Blvd., Oakland.
Montclair Today
In 2013, a new building was added to the campus, which houses a modern Multipurpose Room, new classrooms, a faculty lounge, and a living roof. A new learning garden and play structure were also added to the campus.
Plans for a new school in the Montclair District were drawn up by local Montclair residents Robert “Bob” Goetz and Jens Hansen in association with Confer and Willis.
Drawing of Thornhill 1956
The site on Thornhill Drive at Alhambra was acquired through condemnation proceedings. The court awarded $48,000 to the landowner, Alice Taylor.
Oakland Tribune July 4, 1956
Oakland Tribune July 4, 1956Oakland Tribune August 28, 1957Montclarion 1957
The school was to be ready in September 1958 and would have an administration office, a multipurpose room, a library, 11 classrooms, and a kindergarten room.
Montclarion Oct 23, 1957Oakland Tribune June 22, 1958
Thornhill 1959-60
Dedication – November 12, 1958
The Montclarion Nov. 12, 1958
November 12, 1958
November 12, 1958
The Montclarion Nov 1958
Bus Service
The district approved the school bus earlier in the year, stopping at both Thornhill and Montclair schools. The kids were picked up throughout the hills on the roads designated ‘safe.’ The bus service continued until 1959, when the service was going to be pulled but continued a little longer after the parents rallied to raise money to maintain the service.
Menu 1959Jan 1959Jan 1959The Montclarion
Thornhill 1963-64
The school is located at 5880 Thornhill Dr, Oakland
The bid was taken in November 1949 for the New Joaquin Miller Elementary School on Ascot Drive in Montclair.
Oakland Tribune November 1950
Oakland Tribune November 1950 Tribune
First Graduate
In January of 1950, Judith Lowe, 12 daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lowe, had the honor of being the first graduate of the school – she was the only one. She was the lone pupil in high sixth grade.
The Grateful Dead once partied at 6024 Ascot Drive in the Piedmont Pines section of Oakland.
6024 Ascot Drive
Oakland Tribune May9, 1948
In 1948 house at 6024 Ascot Drive was advertised as an ‘ A Little Bit of Mexico” in beautiful Piedmont Hills ( Piedmont Pines), nestled in a glorious 2 1/4 acres: balconies overlooking a beautiful swimming pool. All the tiles in the bathrooms came from the Muresque Tile Co. of Oakland, one of the premier West Coast tilemakers in the 1920s and ’30s. Property highlights include a log cabin family room.
In 1968 Michael Leibert, his wife Alexa, and their 5 dogs lived at 6024 Ascot. Leibert was the founder of the Berkeley Repertory Theater.
The house had a routine existence until sometime during the late sixties, the house was rented by Owsley “Bear” Stanley (1935-2011) was an American audio engineer and chemist.
Stanley was the first known private individual to manufacture mass quantities of LSD. By his own account, between 1965 and 1967, Stanley produced no less than 500 grams of LSD, amounting to a little more than five million doses.
Bear: The Life and Times of Augustus Owsley Stanley III
By Robert Greenfield Google Books Bear: The Life and Times of Augustus Owsley Stanley III
By Robert GreenfieldOakland Tribune Jul 16, 1970
In 1972 the house was advertised an authentic Spanish “Villa.” Back on the market.
Oakland Tribune May 21, 1972
SF Examiner 1998
The house was sold in 2012 for 1.2 million dollars. A September 2012 article, “Rest Your Head Where the Grateful Dead Once Partied,” was posted on the Curbed San Francisco website.
