Paul Pause - A Bit of History

Before “The Montclarion” newspaper rolled off the presses in 1944, there were two earlier editions. The Montclair Garden Club published a newsletter called the Montclair Clarion in the early 1930s and then the Montclarion.

**Montclarion – Thanks to Chris Treadway**

Montclair Clarion

In January of 1935, a small booklet of community news and poetry appeared in mailboxes in the Merriewood area. The Merriewood-Pinewood Improvement Club sponsored it.

The Montclair Clarion was distributed free of charge. It included poetry, stories, community activities, advertisements, and a recipe for Pumpkin Chiffon Pie.

The cover was a pen-and-ink sketch by Schuler of two pines, grass, and a view of the hills beyond. The sketch tool had slight variations, reflecting the seasons.

Margery Lane Schuler, who lived at 5646 Merriewood Drive, was the editor. Schuler was also the advertising manager, copyreader, publisher, and art director.

In her first editorial, Schuler wrote that she hopes the Montclair Clarion will “have a great many people become more aware of the beauty of the district of the district and promote a desire for our living amongst the trees and nature, living close to God, thereby establishing us to live richer fuller lives.

” We want them to see our sunset, to breathe our pines; and everyone should hear our birds sing in the morning, they like it too, out here.”

Some news from the Clarion

Mrs. Emerson’s garden party with an entrance charge of 50 cents.
The Women’s club was booked solid.
Realtor Ione Jones had a pine lot available for $1,500.
Montclair Realty at 6466 Moraga announced the permit for the Hamilton Market.
New street sign at the blind corner of Merriewood and Sherwood Drives.

The cover of the April 1935 edition boasted a circulation of 1000, and by September 1935, the little book was less than ten pages.

**Montclair Clarion Feb-Mar 1935** – **Thanks Chris Treadway**

You can look at the above issue here: Montclair Clarion – Oakland Local Wiki

Montclarion

In 1940, the first issue of the Monclairion, still a typed, mimeographed newsletter, appeared. Promising its readers, “a personal newssheet will keep you informed on the interesting and important events in your community.

July 13, 1940 –**Thanks Chris Treadway**

The area’s monthly news source was published by the Montclair Townsite Association, “of, by and for the people of Montclair from Piedmont to Skyline.” The yearly subscription price is $1.00.

The editor, realtor Beatrice Pause of The Montclair Realty Co., had a staff of three nurserymen: Elmer Warren, local resident Damond Woodlee, whose forte was “scandal,” and her sister Pierette DeVincenzi.

A popular and controversial column, “Well What Do You Know” by Yehudi, reported the goings-on of hill residents and merchants. “Yehudi” kept things stirred up by tattling on everyone, even himself.

“What local golf wizard took what local scribe’s pants at what club?” began a column in July 1940. “Little did he suspect this local scribe had shed his longies.” (and editors’ note read: Yehudi to be released from local klink Monday)

**Vol 2 Oct 1941 Thanks, Chris Treadway**

Five months after that first issue appeared, The Montclarion became a weekly, six to eight-page publication that included the “important events of the community” gossip, meetings, gardening and cooking tips, new neighbors, and help-wanted columns.

Four months later, the paper was delivered by carriers every Friday to 2,150 homes.

Advertisements on the letter-size news sheet reflected the hill area growth.

Charles Huenneke had taken over the Montclair Pharmacy at the corner of Moraga and La Salle.
Gil’s Market opened at 6120 La Salle.
Edward’s Cleaners and Hatters opened.

The following year, four days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, urged residents to enroll in civilian defense classes.

**Vol. 3 No 1 Jan 1942 – Thanks Chris Treadway**

But despite its popularity—2000 papers every week—the Montclarion died quietly sometime in 1942, a victim of wartime shortages and rising production costs.

For nearly two years, the Montclarion was nothing more than a copyrighted title.

The Montclarion

Fred and Micky Graeser bought the title for $100.00, rented printing equipment, and set up shop in their home on Sobrante Road. They sold the paper in 1977.

The first issue was on October 27, 1944, and started as a four-page semi-tabloid whose pages varied in size.

Over the years, The Montclarion moved their offices at least eight times.

Various Issues

**Monntclarion June 1949 – Thanks to Chris Treadway**

**Montclarion March 1952 Thanks, Chris Treadway**

Thanks to The Montclarion for their history.

More Info:

The Montclarion – Oakland local wiki
Montclair – East Bay Times
The Montclarion – Facebook

The End

In 1924 brothers Paul and Herman Pause formed Montclair Realty Co. Before that, Paul worked for the Realty Syndicate.

The business district of Montclair looked like this when Montclair Realty was formed.

**Graded and staked lots in the undeveloped Montclair district’s downtown in Oakland, California Eston Cheney, photographer. from the Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room. Circa 1925**

Cos. Williams, a builder, was the only other business then.

Sales offices of real estate broker and home builder Cos Williams in the undeveloped Montclair district’s downtown in Oakland, California. Graded and staked lots are visible in the foreground. DATE: [circa 1925] from the Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.

In 1932 they moved into their new offices at 6466 Moraga Avenue. The building was occupied by George B. Brooks, another real estate agent. The building is still there.

Montclair Highlands

“In All the World No View Like his”
Oakland Tribune 1928

In 1928 Montclair Realty was the developer and selling agent for a new tract behind the business district. One of the first homes was the “Model View Home,” built-in 1928.

10th Anniversary

In 1934 Montclair Realty celebrated its 10th Anniversary. During this time, they specialized in developing the rapidly growing hill area. Some tracts they worked on were Montclair Highlands, Montclair Acres, Montclair Estates, and Fernwood.

That year they opened Piedmont Uplands, a new tract along Moraga Avenue at Maxwelton Road. The Henry Maxwell family owned the land and ran a Maxwelton Farm dairy. Before that, it was the picnic grounds of Blair Park.

13th Anniversary

Montclair Realty celebrated its thirteenth Anniversary by moving into spacious new offices in Montclair Realty Building on Moraga Avenue. Harvey Slocombe designed the new two-story building in an authentic Spanish style, complete with a patio and tile roof. Howard Gilkey developed the garden.

**New Montclair Realty Office – Oakland Tribune 1937**

The unusual feature of the new building was the penthouse display home on the second floor. The living room – reception room had a Homebuilder’s Library, where prospective home builders can look through all the latest books and magazines on home building.

Dramatically different the Pent House Model home brings to you “Ideas of 1938” in colorful interior finishes and modern furnishings.
Oakland Tribune 1937

Silver Anniversary – 1949

Paul Pause was a founding member of the Montclair Improvement Club. He was a member of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce residential committee and its highway and transportation committee. He was also a member of the Commonwealth Club.

Death and New Owners

Paul Pause died in 1950. He was an important figure in the development of Montclair since the beginning.

Lucille Chasnoff purchased the company after Pause died in 1950. and John Mallett purchased the company from her in 1962.

New Office in 1954-56

In 1954 they moved into the newly built Montclair Professional Building at 2084 Mountain Blvd. The Montclair Realty offices were on the ground floor; they owned the building.

It was the only office building that had off-street parking. The offices featured gold walls with charcoal woodwork with built-in desks and partitions.