The Sunalta District – was almost the name given to Montclair.
In 1919, the Oakland Real Estate Board advertised in Oakland Tribune a “$50 cash Prize” to come up with a name for the area now called Montclair.
The deadline was Jan 1, 1920.
On Jan 11, 1920, the Tribune reported receiving about 2000 suggestions and decided on Sunalta.
Sunalta Wins
C.S. Rice of Oakland proposed Sunalta.
But for some reason, they felt there was yet a better name.
They extended the contest until Feb 15, 1920.
I have yet to find out the winner of that contest. I assume someone came up with Montclair. Thank you!
With 2000 entries, there had to be something better than Sunalta.