Fire in the Hills – 1943

In December 1943, there were winds up to 75 MPH and many fires in the hills and the East Bay. There were at least 10 brush and grass fires reported all over Northern California.

The smell of burning eucalyptus hung over the city for hours

Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 19443

The fire in the Oakland hills started near Broadway Terrace and Skyline, in the area above the Broadway Tunnel (Caldecott Tunnel). There also was a fire on Snake Road.

Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943

The fire started just after midnight and burned for about 3 hours. The fire was most likely started by down wires knocked down by gale-force winds. There were over 30 fires reported all over Oakland.

 

Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943

Wind and Fires Wreck Havoc

Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
Oakland Tribune Dec 09, 1943
  • Fire destroyed the garbage facility at the end of Davis Street
  • Fire on Mt. Diablo
  • 50 Boats smashed in Monterey
  • Tilden Park Fire
  • 1800 Acres burned in Concord
  • Napa County Swept by Fire

More

Highlands of Oakland

The “Highlands of Oakland” went on sale in November of 1925. It is located area of Tunnel Road and behind what is now the Parkwoods Condominiums. This area was burned during the 1991 Oakland Firestorm, and I assume there are no original homes left.

The “Highlands of Oakland” includes the following streets Bristol Drive, Buckingham Blvd, Charing Cross Road, Devin Way Marlborough Terrace, Norfolk Road,, Sherwick Drive and Westmoreland Drive. The area is right on the border of Berkeley. That area is now called the Claremont Hills.

Cheney Photo Advertising c 1925
Showing the “Highlands of Oakland” of in the distance

The Highlands of Oakland faces on Tunnel Road and is 20 minutes from the business district of Oakland. It consisted of 300 large parcels for a low price of $225.

Fred T. Wood Co. developed this beautiful scenic tract high in the hills of Oakland.

Oakland Tribune November 29, 1925

 “Highlands of Oakland Entrance to our tract from Tunnel Road. A weekday average of over 6000 automobiles passes this point.”
Cheney Photo Advertising
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard-Gibbon
OMCA H89.64.15

In the months before the opening of the “Highlands of Oakland” force of men had been actively building streets.  The winding roads cover some of the most beautiful scenic property in the San Francisco Bay –

Highlands of Oakland
The steam shovel, an unfailing sign of progress.
Cheney Photo Advertising
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard-Gibbon
OMCA H89.64.15

More pictures of the Highlands of Oakland can be seen here – OMCA

Oakland Tribune Oct 1926

The Oakland Hills has been compared to the Seven Hills of Rome.”

Oakland Tribune November 29, 1925

 

Oakland Tribune May 1926
Oakland Tribune June 1926
Oakland Tribune May 1926
Oakland Tribune April 11, 1926

“Miss Australia” Beryl Mills visits the “Highlands of Oakland” after touring UC Berkeley.

Oakland Tribune August 22, 1926

The End