Updated with new map – May 11, 2019
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. I looked up the area’s history. I lived in the area until 2012. The area is now called Eastmont Hills (boring). Its history 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 there.
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.” I solved that one. Well, not really, but close.
Maybe now, some smart people who read this blog can help me determine where the range was. Maybe someone remembers it.
From the Oakland Tribune October 29, 1929 – Major fire in the Oakland Hills – threatens the rifle range. Map of the fire below –
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
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, at the top of Seminary Drive, and the back of the Leona Quarry.
In July 1921, a major fire destroyed most of the range. For more on the fire – Oakland Tribune July 04, 1921
It may have also been the location of the stables of the 143rd Field Artillery Regiment. I know there were horse stables there.
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.
More Info:
- Leona Heights Rifle Range to Open – Oakland Tribune March 14, 1921
- Youth Shot at Rifle Range – Oakland Tribune April 24, 1921
- Good Scores at Target Range – Oakland Tribune August 21, 1921
- Google search – Leona Height State Range