Pine-Covered Hills

Posted on August 26, 2024 by Dorothy Londagin

Studio Homes by Phil Heraty

Phil Heraty (1896-1969) was a Bay Area Builder and Developer responsible for homes in Concord, Walnut Creek, San Leandro, and Oakland. I covered Melrose Highlands in Oakland here.

In 1940, Heraty opened new offices at 3625 Hopkins Street (now MacArthur Blvd.) and announced that this would be the headquarters for all company operations. The branch office at 5815 Thornhill, the original tract office for the Merriewood Development, is now home to a daycare.

It is now Medical Offices – **Oakland Tribune November 10, 1940**

This post will cover a group of homes built in the Broadway Terrace area by Lake Temescal.

Lake Temescal Studio Homes

The development of Lake Temescal in 1938 as a recreation center with swimming and picnic grounds significantly increased the demand for building homes in the wooded hill district adjacent to the lake.

In May 1938, Phil Heraty announced the completion of a new group of eight studio homes he called ‘Lake Temescal Studio Homes.’ The previous year, he sold 37 studio homes in the area.

Below is one of the Studio Homes. It was located at 6192 Ruthland Road and was lost in the 1991 fire.

The Temescal, a furnished 6-room display home, was opened in November 1938. It was listed for $4950.00

The Temescal is located on Florence Terrace, where it meets Capricorn Avenue.

This is the area where I grew up. I used to walk to school with a girl who lived there. They moved sometime in the mid-1970s. I then babysat for the next family that lived there. I watched their daughter from about six months to three years old. I love this house! I fantasized about living there.

Unusual Studio Homes

“Live in the Pine-Covered Hills”
Oakland Tribune Aug 25, 1940

In 1940, Heraty announced the completion of a new group of “unusual studio homes” located along Broadway Terrace and Taurus Avenue.

The new two-bedroom homes would cost less than $4900 to less than $6000. They featured large living rooms with beamed ceilings and corner fireplaces, corner tiled sinks in an airy kitchen, and elevated bedrooms on a huge lot. The largest home in the group had a rumpus room finished in knotty pine.

Sliding Down

In the spring of 1952, a group of studio homes in the Upper Broadway Terrace area at Taurus Road began sliding down the hill. I’m not saying they had anything to do Phil Hearty and the construction.

7075 Broadway Terrace
7081 Broadway Terrace
7085 Broadway Terrace
7093 Broadway Terrace
9009 Broadway Terrace
9025 Broadway Terrace
9033 Broadway Terrace
9041 Broadway Terrace

The following year, during the winter rains and after the city of Oakland had done extensive work on the slide, the homes began to slide again. This turned what was left of the homes into rubble and further damaged others.

In 1954, eight Broadway Terrace property owners sued the city of Oakland and the Oakland Sewer Construction Company for $135,000. The suit alleged the damage was caused by seepage from a ditch the sewer construction company dug.

“eight houses in a hilly portion of Oakland, which, prior to 1949, were serviced by septic tanks. The area is a natural drainage area” Findlaw

“prior to the sewer installation, had leaking septic tanks, and possibly some springs.” Findlaw

The area now has big homes built after the 1991 fire.

More Info:

Oakland Local Wiki – Phil Heraty

Demand Increases for Smaller Homes – Oakland Tribune April 3, 1938
Lake Aids in the Sale Homes – Oakland Tribune May 15, 1938
Home Financing Helps Buyers – Oakland June 28, 1938
‘Studio Home’ Break Heraty Sales Record – Oakland Tribune September 4, 1938
Studio Homes By Heraty Attract Throngs – Oakland Tribune August 25, 1940
Heraty In New Office – Oakland Tribune November 10, 1940
Broadway Terrace Slide Victims Sue $135,000 – Oakland Tribune Jun 11, 1952
Slide Resumes Wrecking Homes – Oakland Tribune Jan 21, 1953
Eight Property Owners Sue – Oakland Tribune Jan 27, 1954
Demolition Broadway Terr. Homes – Oakland Tribune Jan 05, 1957
Hill Sliding an Inch a Day – Oakland Tribune Apr 1957
Phil Heraty Obit – Oakland Tribune October 13, 1969
Philip Heraty, Dies – Concord Transcript October 13, 1969

HAMILTON v. HARKINS (1956) – Findlaw

Claremont Pines Model Home

Posted on August 20, 2020 by Dorothy Londagin

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.

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.

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.

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.

Home Nearing Completion

“Plastering is now ready to start.”

$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.

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.

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.

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.

Tribune-Schlesinger Home Claremont Pines

Claremont Pines Homes

More Info:

Claremont Pines – Oakland Local Wiki

Splendid Home To Be Eastbay Masterpiece – Oakland Tribune July 29, 1928
Breaks Ground – Oakland Tribune August 12, 1928
Near Completion – Oakland Tribune October 21, 1928
A Vision Almost Realized – Oakland Tribune October 21, 1928
Unique Feature of Home – Oakland Tribune October 28, 1928
Environment – Oakland Tribune October 28, 1928
Will be Triumph of Interior Decorator’s Art – Oakland Tribune November 04, 1928
Valuable Ideas – Oakland Tribune November 11, 1928
Progress Made on Display Home is Reported – Oakland Tribune November 11, 1928
Hospitality and Comfort – Oakland Tribune November 18, 1928
Display Home Entrance – Oakland Tribune November 18, 1928
New Type Telephones In Home – Oakland Tribune November 25, 1928
A Foregone Conclusion – Oakland Tribune November 25, 1928
Convenient Arrangement – Oakland Tribune December 02, 1928
Good Progress Reported On Display Home – Oakland Tribune December 02, 1928
Formal Announcement of the Opening – Oakland Tribune December 08, 1928
Magnificent Model Home Opens Sunday – Oakland Tribune December 09, 1928
Formally Opened – Oakland Tribune December 30, 1928
Model Home Opens – Oakland Tribune December 30, 1928
Large Crowds At Claremont Pines Home – Oakland Tribune January 06, 1929
10,000 See Claremont Pines Home – Oakland Tribune January 06, 1929
“Fait Accompli” – Oakland Tribune January 06, 1929
Refrigerator in Model Home – Oakland Tribune January 13, 1929

Today

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

Fire in the Hills – 1943

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

In December 1943, there were winds up to 75 MPH and many fires in the hills and the East Bay. There were at least 10 brush and grass fires reported all over Northern California.

The smell of burning eucalyptus hung over the city for hours

Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 19443

The fire in the Oakland hills started near Broadway Terrace and Skyline, in the area above the Broadway Tunnel (Caldecott Tunnel). There also was a fire on Snake Road.

The fire started just after midnight and burned for about 3 hours. The fire was most likely started by down wires knocked down by gale-force winds. There were over 30 fires reported all over Oakland.

Wind and Fires Wreck Havoc

Fire destroyed the garbage facility at the end of Davis Street
Fire on Mt. Diablo
50 Boats smashed in Monterey
Tilden Park Fire
1800 Acres burned in Concord
Napa County Swept by Fire

Gale Winds and Fire – Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Fire Sweeps Wide Area – Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943

1937 Fire – Upper Broadway Terrace

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

A brush and timber fire that destroyed at least four Oakland hill area homes and menaced at least 50 more burned in the area of Pine Needle Road and Upper Broadway Terrace and came close to the buildings of the new Broadway Low-Level tunnel (Caldicott Tunnel). This was on September 25, 1937.

The photo below was taken at the hight of the blaze, but before the fire jumped Tunnel Road.

Families Flee

Scores of families fled their homes in fear; others who sought to save the belongings were ordered out by fireman.

**Mrs. G.H. Cowles with Eunice and Hazel Cowles**
**of 6142 Pinewood Road**

**The W.R Powers Family lost their home at 6142 Ruthland Road.**

**Edith Thorpe 6, holds her pet Rhode Island Red Hen**

Burned Area

The fire started close to the home of Police inspector Jesse Jackson at 6019 Pinewood Road at around 3 pm on September 25, 1937. During the first six hours, the fire had burned across the western edge of the Pinehaven district up Broadway Terrace to a point just below Skyline Blvd. and back down another canyon to the west.

The fire chief estimated the fire burned over 9 square miles of rolling hill county.

Hose lines Burned

Several hundred feet of hose laid across brushy areas to link the pumps to the fire area were destroyed by flames. Lack of water was a problem, they had used up all the water in reservoirs in the immediate area.

Eyewitness Accounts

C.F. Humphrey – 13025 Broadway Terrace

Mrs. Marguerite Risley – 6493 Farralone Way

Homes Lost or Damaged

15030 Broadway Terrace – Ted Gould – gone
16060 Broadway Terrace – S. Albright – damaged
17014 Broadway Terrace – Ed Pohley – damaged
17044 Broadway Terrace – S. Sund – damaged
17050 Broadway Terrace – S.C. Purser – damaged
6539 Gwin Road – V. Sagues -damaged
6142 Pinewood Road – G. H. Cowles – damaged
6142 Ruthland – W.R. Powers – gone

Fire Started –

The fire started when a “backyard bonfire” got out of control.

1929 Fire

There was a fire in November of 1929 in just about the same area. Some of the same homes were damaged then. The W.R. Powers home was saved in 1929 only to burn down in 1937.

1933 Fire

There was a fire in 1933 with the loss of one home at 7135 Pinehaven Road.

1930 Directory

The End

The Pines

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Dorothy Londagin

“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).

**From the map/brochure** **Rock Ridge properties, Oakland, California**

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.

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.

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.

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.

Death of P.E. Bowles

On January 20, 1926, Philip Bowles died at 67.

Possible Park

Mayor Davie urged the city of Oakland Park board to purchase land and a home for $700,000for a public playground or park. That fell through.

Claremont Pines

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.

After spending two years remodeling and adding new furniture, including expensive Persian rugs, Williams put the home up for sale in 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.

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:

Horse Show – Oakland Tribune July 27, 1924
The Pines sold – Oakland Tribune May 03, 1927
Magnificent Estate Placed on Market – Oakland Tribune October 09, 1927
Claremont Pines Opens – SF Examiner October 08, 1927
Work on Claremont Pines Tract – Oakland Tribune October 30, 1927
Last of the Bowles Home Moved – Oakland Tribune July 18, 1948
Claremont Pines: An Estate Transformed – OHA Spring 2013

Photographs

Views of “The Pines” Estate – by Gabriel Moulin, ca. 1927
Claremont Pines – By Cheney Photo Advertising

The End

College Pines

Posted on June 19, 2018 by Dorothy Londagin

ohrphoto.districts.109 — Broadway Terrace @ Ostrander St. Photo from Oakland History Room.

College Pines is located at the corner of Broadway Terrace and Harbord Drive location(formally Edith), just past the Claremont Country Club. The name of College Pines was chosen because of the close proximity to the College of the Sisters of Holy Names, a new High School.

The sales office was located at the corner of Broadway Terrace and Ostrander Road, as seen above.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jun_12__1932_ — Oakland Tribune June 12, 1932

Below are pictures of Broadway Terrace and Chetwoood and Broadway Terrace, and Harbord Drive. They were taken in 1933 and are from the Oakland Public Library History Room.

ohrphoto.districts.111 — Harbord Drive and Broadway Terrace in 1933 – Oakland History Room Photo

ohrphoto.districts.110 — Broadway Terrace and Clarewood Drive in 1933 – Oakland History Room photo

The homesites front on along Harbord Drive for about a half-mile or more. The lots were priced at $27.00 per foot. A forty-foot lot would cost $1075.00, with a low down payment and easy terms. Sold by the Claremont Pines Corporation and later Michell & Austin.

Oakland Tribune June 1932

Holy Names Central High School was built on Harbord Drive and opened in 1934.

Display Homes

In December of 1933, the first display home opened at 4339 Harbord Drive. The house had eight rooms with two baths and a 14 x 32-foot rumpus room, and

“pleasing features galore.”
Oakland Tribune Dec 1933

The house was priced at $6850 and was recently sold in 2016 for $1,360,000.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Dec_31__1933_ (2) — Oakland Tribune Dec 1933

In September of 1934, another display home was opened at 4347 Harbord Drive. The green and white wood and brick cottage and two bedrooms and a den or nursery, and a large playroom. The house was priced at $6500, with just a $75 down payment and $75 a month. The home recently sold for $825,000 in 2012.

Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Sep_30__1934_ (1) — Oakland Tribune Sept 1934

Misc. ads for homes

Update:

The stone pillar is still there at the corner of Broadway Terrace and Ostrander Street.

Studio Homes by Phil Heraty

Lake Temescal Studio Homes

Unusual Studio Homes

Sliding Down

More Info:

Share this:

Like this:

Palatial Home to be Built

Drive Out Today

Tribune-Schlesinger Home Breaks Ground

Home Nearing Completion

Unique Feature of Home

A Firm Foundation

Shows Rapid Progress

Magnificent Vestibule

Formally Opened

Large Crowds

Tribune-Schlesinger Home Claremont Pines

Claremont Pines Homes

More Info:

Today

The End

Share this:

Like this:

Wind and Fires Wreck Havoc

More

Share this:

Like this:

Families Flee

Burned Area

Hose lines Burned

Eyewitness Accounts

Homes Lost or Damaged

Fire Started –

1929 Fire

1933 Fire

The End

Share this:

Like this:

Land Purchased

Inside the home

Gardens

High Society at The Pines

Death of P.E. Bowles

Possible Park

Claremont Pines

The Wrecking Ball

Bowles Hall – UC Berkeley

Caretaker House

More Info:

Photographs

The End

Share this:

Like this:

Display Homes

Misc. ads for homes

Update:

The End

Share this:

Like this: