The above photos are from a brochure by Frank K Mott, showing some of the features of Grand Avenue Heights from 1907.
“Grand Avenue Heights enjoys the finest climate in Oakland (and that means the best in the State). It is the greatest place in the world for children who can sleep out upon the sleeping porches 365 nights in the year.”
Over 3,000 people attended the opening day sale, and they sold between $50,000 and $79,000 in lots that first day. The average lot was about $2000 with $300 down and $25 a month.
“It is between the two most fashionable residential districts in the county – Adams Point and Piedmont”
Worden, W. E., and Frank K. Mott Company. Some Features of Grand Avenue Heights (by the park): the Park And Boulevard Residence District of Oakland. Oakland, Cal.: Frank K. Mott Co., 1907. Haiti Trust
The glass palace was once a part of the estate of A.K.P. Harmonin Oakland.
A.K.P. Harmon
Albion Keith Paris Harmon settled in Oakland in 1872 after making a fortune in the Comstock mines. He settled on 6.2 acres of land on the shores of Lake Merritt next to Sacred Heart College.
From the Map of the City of Oakland and Surroundings. Compiled from Official and Private Surveys. by J.C. Henkenius. 1888. Britton & Rey Lith., S.F. Cal. Entered…1887.
Soon after, he built his house, conservatory, and magisterial carriage house.
“…greenhouse, which contains one of the most extensive collections of rare plants on the Pacific Coast.”
1882
Harmon House and Conservatory from Webster Street, Oakland. ca. 1870 Gift of Miss Marietta Edwards H68.10.6B
Harmons Greenhouse
Sf Examiner May 1, 1896
Mr. Harmon died in 1896, and his estate was subdivided and sold.
Sf Examiner May 03, 1896
Edson Plaza
Mr. Edson Adams Jr., son of one of the city founders, purchased the conservatory in 1902 and moved it to a two-acre park he had created at the head of Lake Merritt. The new park was called Edson Plaza and Conservatory or Adams Park.
The Adams heirs spent a large sum of money creating the park. The site was once a foul and unsightly marsh. It took about 18 months to complete the project.
The conservatory measuring 75′ in length, the glass structure had to be moved intact, as it was constructed in a way that could not be disassembled. Arriving at the park unbroken, it was placed upon a concrete foundation. Walter J. Mathews, an architect, supervised the move and the placement of plants in the greenhouse.
The entire plaza was a perfectly kept lawn with maple, poplar, birch, willow, and eucalyptus trees along the border. In the center was the conservatory in the shape of a cross 72 by 60 feet in size, containing several thousand potted plants. John McLaren (Golden Gate Park) prepared plans for the conservatory and park’s care and upkeep.
New or greatly enlarged industrial establishments of Oakland and East Bay cities / by Oakland (Calif.) Chamber of Commerce. Cheney Photo Advertising Co.; Wickham Havens, Inc. circa 1917 Courtesy of Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Center http://www.oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt7199q9d0/?order=87
The Oakland Herald proudly announced,
“Conservatory and Park Are Gift to Oakland’s People.”
In 1903, the Edson Heirs Donated the park to the city of Oakland.
“…gift is that the city shall forever maintain the plaza as a public park and keep up the handsome conservatory which stands in it.”
Oakland Tribune July 11, 1903
Oakland Tribune Aug 4, 1903
Relic of the Past
“So, another landmark is destroyed.”
Oakland Tribune Sept 8, 1918
In September 1918, an official notice came from the park commissioners to sell the conservatory and its contents. It was too costly for the city to keep up.
“Now its life is ended. There no further use for it.”
Oakland Tribune Sept 08, 1918
SF Examiner Sept 10, 1918
The “Forever Park” is Gone
In 1926, Oakland’s city council opted to lease land that Edson Plaza (then called Adams Park) to the county for a new Veterans’ Memorial Building.
Did the city forget they agreed to keep it a park with the conservatory FOREVER?
Deed Doesn’t Restrict
“The deed to the property, which became known as Adams Park in 1902 after Edson Adams had erected a conservatory on the site, places no restrictions on the use and its only dedication as a park is through the city’s naming it.”
Oakland Tribune Jan 27, 1927
Oakland Tribune July 19, 1927
Veterans’ Memorial Building
Veterans’ Memorial Building 200 Grand Ave – Oakland Local Wiki
