Melrose Highlands is the area off Keller Avenue to the King Estates Open Space, Field Street, and Crest Avenue – The area is now called Eastmont Hills.
Melrose Highlands to Open
Melrose Highlands is a part of the ‘old Houston ranch” (I have to find out more about Houston, I think it might be Hewston), and a portion of the property was used by the National Guard as a rifle range ( see my blog here). It lies between Leona Heights and Sequoia Country Club and the Upper San Leandro filter plant (7700 Greenly Drive) on the west side.
The tract opened on July 19, 1925
C.P. Murdock was the developer and sales agent for Melrose Highlands.
Melrose Highlands location was ideal for the people to be employed in the industrial plants of East Oakland. It was up the hill from the Chevrolet Assembly plant that opened a few years before.
They offered a lot and a completely built home on easy terms. A homesite and building material, or just a homesite, could be purchased.
3 Offers to pick from
- House and homesite complete – $100 down and $1 a day.
- Homesite and material for a house – $50 down and 75c. a day
- Homesite – $25 down and 50c.a day
These homes were complete and comfortable, from the concrete foundations to the plastered walls. A sink, wash basin, toilet, and bathtub are included in the price. The kitchens had built-in cabinets.
A group of 12 homes was almost complete. Oakland Tribune – July 26, 1925
“In Melrose Highlands we are going to give the working man a chance to get the sort of house to which he has long looked for “
C.P. Murdock, Inc. –
Oakland Tribune – July 12, 1925
Transportation
CP Murdock established a bus line that ran on a regular schedule designed to appeal to the wage earners of the industrial district.
“Men can reach their work, women can go shopping, and children can get to high school, from Melrose Highlands”
August 23, 1925
A.J. Krajnc and His Home In Melrose Highlands
In September 1925, Anton J. Krajnc moved into his new home with his wife and daughter. This was his first time buying a home and the first family on Earl Street.
“It’s Paying Me To Live In Melrose Highlands”
A.J. Krajnc
The Adams home on Earl Street
The new home of William E. Adams on Earl Street. Their home was located at lot No. 232, now 7941 Earl Street, but the houses don’t look the same.
“Croup Cured by Warm Climate of Melrose Highlands”
“I am so glad we moved to Melrose Highlands,” states Mrs. W Booth. “Over on 64th Avenue, I was up almost every night taking care of one or more children suffering from croup.”
“Melrose Highlands is healtier.”
Mrs Boothe 1926
Moved from San Francisco to Melrose Highlands
“I still work in San Francisco as a molder, and find that by taking my car over to the Seminary Southern Pacific Station I get home at night by 5:45.”
Homes and Life in Melrose Highlands
Many New Homes
New School for Melrose Highlands
In 1923 the “Columbia Park School” was built on Sunkist Drive. It was next to the home of Susie Thompson and her husband Roy, who lived at 6886 Sunkist Drive.
Mrs. Thompson was the custodian of the one-room school building for three years when only 14 families lived in the area.
The school was later destroyed in a high wind, replaced by a new school (down the street), and then renamed the Charles Burckhalter School. Oakland Tribune, May 10, 1969.
Glad I Moved to Melrose Highlands
In January 1927, a new store was opened by John G. Koch. The store was located at 7979 Macarthur (give or take a few numbers). The building was later in the way of construction of the MacArthur Freeway (580).
“We have a fast-growing community here, and as fine a place to live as any could want”
J. Koch, the first grocer in Melrose Highlands
More Melrose Highlands Homes
The picture below shows the progress of Melrose Highlands as of June 1926. The streets with the most homes are Earl Street, Winthrop Street, Keller Avenue, and Greenly Drive.
More Info:
- In Melrose Highlands – Oakland Tribune January 31, 1926
- Large Sales in Melrose are Reported – Oakland Tribune May 2, 1926
- Own Homes in Melrose Highlands – Oakland Tribune April 24, 1927
To be continued with the next phase of homes built in the 1930s to 1940s
Updated June 2023