State Rifle Range at Leona Heights

Updated with new map – May 11, 2019

From Google maps – go here to see more of the map

Every day while taking my kids to school, we would pass a street called Rifle Lane. I thought that was a weird name, and I wondered why (they named it that), as I do many times as I drive around Oakland.

Fast forward a few years later. I looked up the history of the area. I lived in the area until 2012. The area is now called the Eastmont Hills (kind of boring). It goes back to 1925 when the C.P Murdock Company sold it as Melrose Highlands. It was just up the hill from the new Chevrolet Assembly Plant (now Eastmont Town Center). An excellent place to live if you work at the plant.

Oakland Tribune July 17, 1925

In my research, I came across the following article from July 1925. The Upper San Leandro filter plant (7700 Greenly Drive) and the State Rifle Range are adjacent to Melrose Highlands. I thought, wow, there was a rifle range right about where Rifle Lane is now. Solved that one. Well, not really, but…close.

Oakland Tribune Jul 26, 1925

Maybe now, some of the smart people who read this blog can help me figure out where the range was located. Maybe someone remembers it.

From the Oakland Tribune Oct 29, 1929 – Major fire in the Oakland Hills – threatens the rifle range. Map of the fire below –

Rifle Range
Oakland Tribune Oct 29, 1929

A bit of history

The range has been called the following:

  • National Guard rifle Range
  • California National Guard rifle range
  • State Rifle Range at Leona Heights
  • Leona Heights Rifle Range
Target range
Oakland Tribune Apr 11, 1917

In 1917 the National Guard rifle range was transferred from Marin County to Leona Heights in Oakland. They had purchased “140 acres of land directly back of the quarry for the purpose”. The land was formally the property of the Realty Syndicate. The range opened in 1920. The location varies. Close to Mills College, 2 miles from Mills College, a top of Seminary Drive, and the back of the Leona Quarry.

SF Examiner Mar 13,1921

In July 1921, a major fire destroyed most of the range. For more on the fire – Oakland Tribune Jul 04, 1921

Oakland Tribune Jul 4, 1921

It may have also been the location of the stables of the 143rd Field Artillery Regiment. I know there were horse stables there.

Oakland Tribune Mar 10, 1927

The California Guardmans highlighted the rifle range in their Feb-March 1925 issue. You can see it here.

“A California National Guard range and local training area located in the Oakland Hills of Alameda County. It may have also been the location of the stables of the 143rd Field Artillery Regiment. The site was developed approximately 1919 and was actively used until at least 1941. The site supported elements of the 143rd Field Artillery, 159th Infantry, and 250th Coast Artillery Regiments. The April 1919 edition of The American Rifleman, stated that there were 60 firing points for rifles with targets placed between 200 and 600 yards. There was also a pistol range with 14 firing points. The range was described as one of the finest ranges west of Camp Perry, Ohio.”

Military Museum site.
Oakland Tribune Dec 10, 1923

More Info:

The End

The Ward-Way – Homes by Montgomery Wards

Oakland Tribune Apr 28, 1940

In the 1940’s Montgomery Wards, through its building services department, sold pre-fab homes to be made by local contractors.  They would supply everything necessary to build your home.

“The Ward Way method of building and furnishing is a simplified system of obtaining built to order home,”  states Ralph Jarvis  Ward-Way representative 

Oakland Tribune Oct 27, 1940

 

I found information on ten or so homes built “The Ward-Way.”   I am basing this solely on what I see in the Oakland Tribune.  So, with that in mind, my list might not be perfect due to errors in the paper.  I am not perfect, either.   If possible, I have included a picture of the house as it is today.  All these homes were built in 1940.

Oakland’s Home Built The Ward Way

  • 4225 Lincoln Ave – Lincoln Highlands
  • 4215 Lincoln Ave – Lincoln Highlands
  • 3598 Lincoln Ave – Upper Dimond
  • 3917 Whittle Ave – Upper Dimond
  • 3001 Logan – Meadow Brook Fruitvale
  • 1991 Magellan Dr. – Montclair Highlands
  • 6024 Leona St – Leona Heights
  • 9909 Murillo Ave – Oak Knoll
  • 7879 Michigan Ave – Eastmont Hills
  • 2227 85th Ave – Castlemont
  • 1615 82nd Ave  – Webster

Here are a few:

4225 Lincoln Ave

4225 Lincoln Oakland_Tribune_Sun__Jun_9__1940_

3917 Whittle Ave

1991 Magellan

9909 Murillo Ave

Oakland Tribune Oct 27, 1940

7879 Michigan Ave

2227 85th Ave

1615 82nd Ave

1615 82nd ave
Google Map

6024 Leona St

The End