10 Overlake Court –

10 Overlake Court –

Oriental Theme in Small Home

Oriental (now we would say Asian) theme in a small home. The five-room home is located at 10 Overlake Court above the Montclair Pool (Swim and Racquet Club).

It was designed with both far Eastern ideas and California architecture. Oil finished wood in a natural color, accented with Chinese red in finish and outside trim, grasscloth wallpaper, and bamboo moldings were some of the Eastern ideas.

Oakland Tribune Feb 1940

The living room opens onto a private garden with beautiful oak trees. The house is somewhat like a modern ‘farmhouse’ with an exterior of oiled, heart redwood, and an off-white limestone finished roof with wide overhanging eaves.

With many red brick window boxes and large glass areas of windows that are divided into horizontal panes, creating a streamlined effect that is unusual in residential construction. A large circular grille in the garage door was also new and different.

Oakland Tribune Feb 1940

Montclair’s Most Talked-of Home

I don’t know who designed the home, but it was built by Robert Darmsted of Pinehaven Road. The Darmsted’s moved to Montclair in about 1920.

From 1924

Another local Montclarion F.A. Christopherson, who lived on Abbott Drive in the Merriewood area, did the brickwork.

From 1944
Oakland Tribune Feb 1940

Modern with “oriental touch.” Delightful patio. Price at $6450.00 in 1940.

Oakland Tribune Apr 1940
10 Overlake Court – Google maps

It is priced in the low 30’s! – 1964

Oakland Tribune 1964A

A true hideaway on a secluded cul-de-sac with a gorgeous living room in Japanese style. Price $289,000 in 1992.

SF Examiner Nov 15, 1992

The End

Forest Park – a scenic residential park

Subdivision of Montclair – approx. the area above Thornhill at Woodhaven and Oakwood Drive and up to Snake and Colton Blvd. The Forest Park Pool (now Montclair Swim Club) was included with the tract. – Updated May 06, 2019

Wickham Havens, Inc., to Sell Fine Scenic Property on the Highlands Northeast of Beautiful Piedmont” – Oakland Tribune May 11, 1924

A residential park that has been “twenty years in the making” is how they described Forest Park when it first opened in May 1924. The hills of Forest Park were barren of trees when the late Frank C. Havens undertook the task in the early 1900s of planting them with trees. His son Wickham is in charge of selling Forest Park.

Oakland Tribune May 11, 1924
Oakland Tribune May 11, 1924
Oakland Tribune May 1924
Free Bus service to Forest Park
Oakland Tribune May 1924
Oakland Tribune 1924

Big wooded lots some with a view of the bay were selling at a few hundred dollars each. “Investment in Forest Park today means rich profits in the future” – Come out and see the $10,000 pool being built for the residents – Oakland Tribune June 1924.

Oakland Tribune Jun 15, 1924
Elmer F. Morrill lived down the road where
Harbord Drive and Moraga Avenue meet since the late 1880s
Oakland Tribune Mar 1924

Forest Pool was located at Thornhill Drive and Woodhaven Way is now the Montclair Swim Club.

Forest Pool – 1925
Photo By Cheney Advertising
https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
Forest Pool 1927
Photo By Cheney Advertising
https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
The corner of Woodhaven Way and Indian Way
Cheney Photo Advertising 1925
https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
Present Day Google Maps
Woodhaven Way looking towards the corner of Indian Way
Photo by Cheney Advertising 1927
https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
Woodhaven Way looking towards the corner of Indian Way
Present Day – Google Maps
From 7000 Thornhill Drive looking east
Cheney Photo Advertising 1925
https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
From 7000 Thornhill Drive looking east
Cheney Photo Advertising 1927
https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
Present Day 7017 and 7025 Thornhill Drive – Google Maps
San Francisco Bay – Forest Park with Oakwood Drive and Thornhill
Cheney Photo Advertising c 1927
https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4
San Francisco Bay – from Skyline
Cheney Photo Advertising c 1927
https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt209nd06r?&brand=oac4

To be continued …Forest Park – the Shepard Canyon Section