“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).
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 $700,000 for 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
