Rolling Hills, Pleasing Climate

Situated in eastern Oakland’s rolling hills, it enjoys a warm, balmy climate and provides ideal home sites with an unobstructed view, a perfect place for children. 

New Developer at Oak Knoll

David D Bohannon well-known subdivider and developer of San Francisco properties formed a new company called Oak Knoll Land Development Company.  The company was to sell and develop the Oak Knoll area.

300 Home Building Plan

In June of 1937, David D. Bohannon Organization announced a vast building program of 300 new homes for Oak Knoll.

“beautiful detached homes of distinctive and individual architectural design, all situated on lots of generous dimensions.”

said: Bohannon

The Plan

• Distinctive Architecture
• FHA Inspection
• FHA Financing
• Restrictions Guard Oak Knoll*

*In developing Oak Knoll, reasonable restrictions have been set up to maintain what Nature has already done so well. Oakland Tribune June 06, 1937

The building in the distance is either Holy Redeemer or Oak Knoll Country Club. If the photo is of Oak Knoll Ave (was Cabrillo Ave) then it would be Holy Redeemer.

The Plan in Action

The photo below shows the progress of their building plan. This is from the Oakland Tribune 1937. You can see Molitor home in the bottom right-hand corner

List of homes in the above photo.

New Oak Knoll Home – 3500 and 3501 Mirasol Ave

A two-story Early California Style home opened July 4, 1937.  

Attractive Home in Oak Knoll

Open in Oak Knoll

This home is located at 3533 Mirasol Avenue

Activity in Oak Knoll

Oak Knoll Display Home

“The Home You’ve Read ad Dreamed of…Priced Lower Than You Dared to Hope.”

The first of the Oak Knoll Display Homes opened in June of 1937. The home was furnished by Breuner’s. ( I don’t know the location of this home)

A spacious central living room with two bedrooms and a bath on one side, and inviting library-guest room with a bathroom and convenient, sunny kitchen on the other.

• Beautifully designed electric fixtures in all rooms
• Extra tile-top kitchen work table
• Indirect lighting over the sink
• Generous cupboard and drawer space…carefully planned.

One of Many New Oak Knoll Homes

Oak Knoll’s Exposition Home

The ‘Exposition’ home is located 9333 Murillo Ave opposite of Mirasol. The 1700 square foot house has beautiful view of the bay and bridges

• Built-in bookcases
• Peerless Kitchen
• Breakfast Nook

The Golden Gate International Exposition was going happening on Treasure Island in 1939 and 1940. Hence the name Exposition Home and I can imagine they could see Treasure Island from the house.

One unique feature of the home was the 14 x 40-foot children’s playroom. In the backyard, there was a fenced playground with recreation equipment. (I wish I had a picture of that!)

Unique Opportunity!

Bus Service in Oak Knoll

Open to View in Oak Knoll

More Info:

• New Oak Knoll Tract Lauded – Oakland Tribune June 13, 1937
• Homes Rising at Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune June 20, 1937
• Display Home will Open – Oakland Tribune June 27, 1937
• Homes Draw in Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune July 04, 1937
• Oak Knoll Tract Wins Popularity – Oakland Tribune July 11, 1937
• Many People See Oak Knoll Homes – Oakland Tribune July 18, 1937
• Site Offers Ideal Climate – Oakland Tribune August 01, 1937
• Show to get Color Photos – Oakland Tribune October 29, 1937
• Oak Knoll Has Great Growth – Oakland Tribune October 01, 1937
• Activity In Oak Knoll Continues – Oakland Tribune October 29, 1939
• Christmas Home in Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune December 17, 1939
• Active Demand In Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune April 16, 1940
• Oak Knoll Homes Are Open to View – Oakland Tribune January 21, 1940

The End