Forest Park - A Bit of History

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.

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.

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.

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

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

It is priced in the low 30’s! – 1964

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

The End

Subdivision of Montclair – 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 Apil 2026

“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. Frank C. Havens undertook the task of transforming the barren hills into timbered homesites in the early 1900s. He sent his planters up to the canyons, slopes, and ridges and planted young pine, cypress, and eucalyptus. His son Wickham is in charge of selling Forest Park.

Forest Park consisted of about 750 acres (600 in some articles) of wooded slopes, stretching up to Skyline Blvd. The first unit was about 75 acres and was sold by September 1925, with another 60 acres ready to be put on the market.

Large, roomy lots sold for as low as $575.

Transportation

Starting June 1, 1924, the Key System announced a new schedule.

The Montclair bus, which connects to San Francisco trains and local streetcars at 40th and Piedmont, will now run until midnight.

A Center of Activity

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.

In Scenic Forest Park

Elmer F. Morrill lived down the road by Harbord Drive and Moraga since the Late 1880s.

Elmer Morrill wrote a series of articles or ads like this about buying and living in Forest Park.

Oakland Post Enquirer July 2, 1924

Swimming Pool Added

A new $10,000 pool was added for Forest Park residents.

To add to the charm of Forest Park, an open-air swimming pool was added.

They took advantage of the creek running through the property, using a pump to add water to the pool. Thereby assuring plenty of fresh water in the pool.

Oakland Tribune, March 23, 1924

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

The pool was divided to provide a shallow pool and an eight-foot depth for diving and swimming. The water was constantly changing in motion. Bath houses and dressing rooms were provided for attractiveness. The pool was reserved for Forest Park residents.

“for the children’s sake” Oakland Tribune May 17, 1924″

For the health and happiness of the children, choose Forest Park as your home. Trees! Sunshine! The invigorating air of the hills! Ferns! Flowers! “You’ll be surprised at what a truly beautiful home park it is.” Oakland Tribune

Hollywood Invests in Forest Park

Mildred Harris, formerly Mrs. Charlie Chaplin, was one of the buyers in Forest Park, according to the Oakland Tribune. I don’t think she ever lived there.