Oakland Tracts – A Bit of History

Homes, Model/Display Homes, Oakland Tracts, Uncategorized

High Street Park Homes

Posted on January 5, 2021 by oaklanddots

In early 1926 J.B. Peepin announced that his company would be building approximately thirty-one in the High Street Park Tract on Culver Street. Prices averaged $5950 for five rooms, with a down payment of only 10% and 1% of the balance.

Peepin was already well known in Oakland and San Leandro as a builder of Bungalows.

Living rooms have studio ceilings, and the newest wall treatments. Hooded fireplaces, in latest designs. Each house has a breakfast room, with a hand decorated breakfast set, included in the purchased price.”
Oakland Tribune July 26, 1926

Charming hand stenciled kitchens, with linoleums, and every built-in convenience including kitchen cabinets and refrigerators.”
Oakland Tribune July 26, 1926

Gardens are laid out to suit each home, with lawns, shrubs, patio entrances and fish ponds.”
Oakland Tribune July 26, 1926

Casa Linda

4100 Culver Street
Built 1926
Price $5950-$6200

Casa Linda opened on July 18, 1926. The home was entirely furnished by Montgomery Wards & Company.

“The Home Beautiful”

Casa Linda, as the name implies is an unusually beautiful Spanish home, and embodies in its design and ornamentation new and pleasing innovations by our architectural service. Oakland Tribune July 18, 1926

Orange was the kitchen tile color, the hand-decorated furniture, and wall-paper in the breakfast room. Spanish galleons are the motif of parchment shades.

The exterior of “Casa Linda” was enhanced by the patio entrance with stepping stones and a fish pond.

Casa Palomar or Palomares

4150 Culver Street
Built 1926
Price $5950-$6200

Opened in September of 1926 and was furnished by Montgomery Wards and Company.

Casa Novia

4157 Culver Street
Built 1926
Price $5950-$6200

Casa Novia opened to the public on December 5, 1926 it was furnished by Lachman Brothers of San Francisco.

Display Home Is Especially Designed for Newly-Weds, Builder Says”
Oakland Tribune Dec 5, 1926

An arched doorway opens into the front hall affording a glimpse of a large living room with arched windows. The dining room and breakfast room are separated by columns and the kitchen is decorated with orange tiles.

Sold in 2020

In August of 2020 “Casa Novia” was put on the market for $789,000 and sold for $820,000 in October of 2020.

Zillow.com – 4157 Culver St

Culver House

4132 Culver Street
Built 1927
Price $6250

The furnished home went on display on April 24, 1927.

Large rooms, with plenty of sunshine make this home appeal to the housewife.”
Oakland Tribune Apr 24, 1927

Sold in 2020

Estately.Com – 4132 Culver Street

The was listed for $889,000 in November of 2020 and sold for $955,000 in December.

Villa Romancia

4145 Culver Street
Built 1927
Price $6775

Villa Romancia opened to the public in January of 1927.

“Castles in Sunny Spain”

ROMANCE! MYSTERY! That is what you think of when you see Villa Romanica.”
Oakland Tribune Feb 13, 1927

Open House 2021

In January of 1921 Villa Romancia is for sale. The listed price is $699,000. An open house was held on January 3, 2021.

Culver Street Homes

4115 Culver Street

List of Model Homes:

4100 Culver Street – Casa Linda
4132 Culver Street – Culver House
4145 Culver Street – Villa Romancia
4150 Culver Street – Casa Palomar
4157 Culver Street – Casa Novia

More Info:

4157 Culver Street – website
The Bungalow Book By J.B. Peppin – flickr

Casa Linda Opens to the Public – Oakland Tribune July 18, 1926
High Street Park Homes – Oakland Tribune July 26, 1926
Casa Palomar Opens – Oakland Tribune September 19, 1926
Peppin Starts Third Unit of Homes Here – Oakland Tribune October 10, 1926
Casa Novia Opens – Oakland Tribune December 12, 1926
Villa Romancia Opens – Oakland Tribune February 13, 1927
Culver House Now Open – Oakland Tribune April 24, 1927

The End

East Oakland, Homes, Oakland Tracts, Real Estate

In Oak Knoll…

Posted on September 2, 2020 by oaklanddots

In 1926 it was announced that development of the Oak Knoll Country Club and the land surrounding it would handled by Carroll L. Post, the former president of Post Food Products Company. They began building the first group of model homes in April of 1926. Ezell-Phebus were the sales-agents.

Oak Knoll residential development was built around the new Oak Knoll golf course and Country Club .

E.B. Field Co. took developing the project in 1927.

5, 000 people standing on a hillside AGREED! That: Oak Knoll is Oakland’s finest Homeland!“
Oakland Tribune Oct 02, 1927

Spanish Style Home

This six room Spanish style bungalow was built in 1927 and was designed by R.E. Neikirk of Oakland. You enter the home from a terraced entry to a large living room with chapel style ceiling. There are three sunny bedrooms, a kitchen and a dining room.

..Beautiful Oak Knoll – The Heart of Oakland’s Country Club Districts”
E.B. Field Co.

Casa De La Vista

I haven’t been able to find the location of this home.

The attractive Spanish type residence opened in March of 1928. The architect was Harris Allen and the home was furnished by Whithone & Swan.

The Windsor House

Located on a spacious corner lot at Oak Knoll and Granada Avenues. The English style home was attractively adapted to the hillside setting. The house has five bedrooms and three bathrooms.

It was put on display to show how artistic a moderately priced can be with s comparetly small amount spent in furnishing it. Furnishing by Breuner’s of Oakland.

The Beautiful,Completely Furnished “ Windsor House”
Oakland Tribune

The home has beautiful hardwood floors and high coved ceilings. An expansive deck off the kitchen leads to a private back patio. A main-floor master suite makes for convenient living, with two more bedrooms and a playroom upstairs with the second full bathroom.

Calafia Avenue Home

**3610 Calafia Avenue** – **Google Maps**

A Beautiful Home

Live in Oak Knoll and Play Golf at Home“
Oakland Tribune Jan 20, 1927

Overlooking the Oak Knoll Clubhouse

In 1937 a new home overlooking the Oak Knoll golf course and clubhouse was completed. The home was built for Domino Merlino at an approx. cost of $20,000.

**4001 Sequoyah** **Road – Google Maps**

Calandria Avenue Home

Construction of the new $13,000 home for Thomas King began in April of 1930. The outstanding feature of the home was the large living room window with a spectacular view of Oakland, San Francisco and the Bay.

**The view from the Living Room – 3539 Calandria**

Panorama of Oak Knoll Home – Dorisa Avenue

**Oakland Tribune Feb 01, 1931** – **3687 Dorisa**

3687 Dorisa Ave – Today

New Developer at Oak Knoll

David D Bohannon well-known subdivider and developer of San Francisco property, formed a new company called Oak Knoll Land Development Company. This was the third company sell and develop the Oak Knoll area. (Please see Oak Knoll Homes)

An Oak Knoll Home

Freeway

In June of 1938, the Alameda-Contra Costa County joint highway district filed a lawsuit to condemn four parcels of land in the Oak Knoll Tract.

The suit was in preparation for when work would begin on the $3,000,000 traffic artery via Mountain Blvd.

The Defendants:

A.A. Thiel
James R. Pennycook
Raymond Cann
Irving M. Bossie

More Info:

The First Section of Oak Knoll On Sale – Oakland Tribune April 1926
First Unit of Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune April 18, 1926
Your Castle in Spain – Oakland Tribune April 18, 1926
Mission Type Entrance for Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune Jan 23, 1927
5,000 People – Oakland Tribune October 02, 1927
Casa De La Vista – Oakland Tribune March 25, 1928
Casa De La Vista opens – Oakland Tribune April 01, 1928
Oak Knoll Site – Oakland Tribune Feb 09 1930

Spanish Type Fairway Home Open to View – Oakland Tribune March 30, 1930
Spanish Home at Oak Knoll Draws Crowds – Oakland Tribune April 06, 1930
Visitors Given Chance to See Model House – Oakland Tribune October 12, 1930
Oak knoll’s Homes Have Fine Outlook – Oakland Tribune June 21, 1931
New Developer At Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune May 17, 1936
300 Homes for Oak Knoll Tract – Oakland Tribune June 06, 1937
Home Building Plan Ad – Oakland Tribune June 06, 1937

The End

Homes, Model/Display Homes, Oakland Tracts, Uncategorized

Fairway Estates in Oak Knoll

Posted on August 31, 2020September 1, 2020 by oaklanddots

When this are was first built up in mid 1920s it was part of Oak Knoll. Now it is Considered to part of Sequoyah

“Fairway Estates is in the heart of the country club district and consists of a group of estates with building sites of generous size.” Oakland Tribune, August 18. 1929

Fairway Estates and Country Club Fairway Estates and Oak Knoll Unit C are all in the area known as Oak Knoll. Sequoyah Hills on three sides surround Oak Knoll.

The Oak Knoll Land Corporation handled the development.

In Fairway Estates

There are two large bedrooms with a sewing room and bathroom and a large dressing room with many different built-in fixtures and cabinets. On the lower are the maids’ quarters, with separate shower and billiard room. The bathrooms and kitchen are beautifully finished in colored tile.

**3968 Turnley Avenue** – **Google Maps**

In Fairway Estates

The Jefferson Home

The Jefferson home is a seven-room, two-story residence of Spanish design. With a large living room and a massive oak stairway leading to a balcony overlooking the Oak Knoll golf course and country club.

“Another reason is the beautiful setting of Fairway Estates – overlooking the Oak Knoll Country club and golf course and views of wooded hills, the harbor, the bay cities, and the Golden Gate.” Oakland Tribune, August 18. 1929

Oak Knoll Country Club District

The Nine room Spanish Style home.

In Fairway Estates

Model Homes in Fairway Estates

Spanish Type Model Home

Spanish in architecture.

The Fairway Estates model home opened in March of 1930. The home was designed by Watson Vernon to fit the lot-on which it stands, to utilize the view possibilities of the property to the best advantage.

Model Country Club Residence

The Spanish home takes greatest advantage of the two way view the wooded hillside on one side and the bay on the other. This six room home has a spacious master bedroom with a sunroom on the upper floor. The dining room window overlooks the golf course.

Beautiful Spanish Model Home

The Spni

Fairway Estates Home

La Casa Bella

Artistic in the extreme…”

La Casa Bella opened in November of 1930. The home is of Spanish architecture showing the Moorish influence.

A master bedroom that will lull you to sleep after a gallon of coffee…”
Oakland Tribune Nov 16, 1930

A living room almost large enough for a country dance…”
Oakland Tribune Nov 16, 1930

Spanish Home at Oak Knoll

“…with the liquid silver of the moon lying in the pools of mystery the patio will coax you out of doors all hours of the day or night” – Oakland Tribune May 04, 1930
Oakland Tribune

More Info:

Great Activity in Fairway Estates Tract – Oakland Tribune August 18, 1929
Many Homes Being Bought in Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune September 01, 1929
Home Buying Very Active – Oakland Tribune September 29, 1929
Pretty Homes Are Planned – Oakland Tribune October 13, 1929
Model Homes For Fairway Estates Tract – Oakland Tribune October 27, 1929
New Home For Fairway Estates – Oakland Tribune November 17, 1929
Spanish Home at Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune April 6, 1930
Spanish Type Fairway Home Open to View – Oakland Tribune March 30, 1930
La Casa Bella in Oak Knoll – Oakland Tribune November 16, 1930

The End

Black History, North Oakland, Oakland Tracts, West Oakland

The Watts Tract

Posted on August 7, 2020 by oaklanddots

William Watts was known in Oakland for having a tract of land named for him.

**Watts Tract from 1911 Map – black dot shows the location of the Watts’ Home.**

The land was 158 acres running from Chestnut to the Bay, and from 28th to 38th Streets. Looks like it now considered Clawson.

Family History

William Watts was born in Chelsea, Mass, in 1808. In 1831 he married Maria Francis Rollins. They had a son William Augustus Watts born in 1833.

In 1850 Watts traveled to California, via the “Horn.” After mining in Tuolumne County, he returned to San Francisco.

On May 04, 1858, William Watts took the title of 158 acres from Francisco Sanjurjo, who had acquired the property from the daughter of Domingo Peralta. Mr. Watts paid $5000 for the land and built a large ranch home at what is now the corner of 34th and Chestnut Streets. He farmed the property until 1876.

William Watts passed away on January 16, 1878, and the ranch was passed on to his son William.

The family also owned a Tannery that was a close to their ranch.

Subdivided

In 1874, 60 acres were subdivided, and a map of the Watts Tract was drawn up.

Watts’ Tract Auction Sale

In December of 1876, an auction sale was held at the Watts’ station, on the Berkeley Branch Railroad. Two hundred twenty-eight lots were sold in two and one-half hours.

Streets Named For

Four streets in the “Watts Tract” are named for the daughters of George Washington Dam. A friend of the family.

Eleanor Street
Louise Street
Hannah Street
Ettie (Henrietta) Street

Residence of G. W. Dam, Webster Street, Oakland, Alameda County. The Lawrence & Houseworth Albums, 1860-1870 California Views
Society of California Pioneers Photography Collection

Some homes in the Watts Tract

**1400 Block of 32nd Street – Google maps**

**3200 Block of Hannah Street – Google Maps**

**3320 and 3322 Magnolia Street – Google Maps**

**Engine Company No. 22 – 3320 Magnolia**

More Info:

Watts’ Tract Auction Sale – Oakland Daily Evening December 18, 1876
Market Boys – Oakland Tribune November 08, 1943
The Old Watts Tract – Oakland Tribune March 13, 1949
The Watts Tract – Oakland Tribune May 22, 1949
A Yankee in the West – Oakland Tribune November 12, 1949
Watt Tract Memories – Oakland Tribune July 22, 1951
Watt Tract Memories – Oakland Tribune August 25, 1951
Streets Named – Oakland Tribune July 03, 1960

The End

Laurel, Oakland Tracts

The Fremont Tract

Posted on May 13, 2020May 13, 2020 by oaklanddots

The Fremont Tract opened in 1911. The tract is located at the intersection of MacArthur and High Street with frontage on MacArthur, High, Masterson, Quigley and Porter Streets. The Realty Syndicate handled the sales.

“The tract is near Mills College and commands a beautiful view of the hills.”

Every lot in the Fremont Tract was a full 35-front -foot lot. The prices ranged from $10 to $18 a front foot – the terms from $35 to $85 for the first payment. The balance paid at $5 or $10 per month.

“Natural beauty and delightful surroundings, combined with even temperature, make this a delightful spot to build a home and enjoy living every day in the year. Every lot is high and well-drained.“

The eastern side of Quigley Street is now the High Street freeway exit, and Redding Street is part of the freeway.

Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising c. 1911
‘The Collection of Ed Clausen’.

This photo was most likely taken from the hill behind the present-day Walgreens on High and Redding Streets.

3315 Vale Street
3333 Vale Street
St. Lawrence O’Toole
Location of Walgreens today
Freeway exit ramp
Macarthur Blvd and High Street
Masterson Street
Laurel School

Kanning Street is now Masterson Street, and Franklin Avenue is now 39th Avenue, and Hopkins Street is now MacArthur Blvd.

3651 39th Avenue
4026 Masterson
Laurel School
3625 Patterson Avenue
3840 MacArthur Blvd

St. Lawrence O’Toole

St. Lawrence O’Toole Catholic Church at the corner of Porter and High Street opened in 1911, in time for Christmas Eve Mass. The church was dedicated on August 25, 1912.

In March of 1956, the Diocese of Oakland broke ground for a new church just three blocks up High Street. They held the first mass on Thanksgiving Day in 1957.

More Info:

Oakland’s Laurel District

History is All Around Us

Opening New Foothill Tract – Oakland Tribune Mar 11, 1911
New Houses in Fremont Tract – Oakland Tribune Mar 31, 1912
A 35-foot lot Fremont Tract – Oakland Tribune Apr 02, 1912

The End

Fruitvale, Homes, Oakland Tracts, Then and Now

Attractive Lynn Homes

Posted on December 2, 2019February 2, 2020 by oaklanddots

Lynn Homes on Nicol Avenue

Eight charming five-room homes of Spanish and Mission architecture were built by Willis F. Lynn on Nicol Avenue. Five of the houses were sold before they were completed. The last three went on sale on June 14, 1925.

Each house has:

Breakfast room or nook
Dining room with built-in buffet
laundry room
Hardwood floors throughout
Automatic water heaters
Separate garage

Priced at $5950.00 in 1925.

MapsNicole Avenue today – Google maps

**2639 Nicol Avenue – today Google Maps**

Lynn Homes on Best Avenue

Another group of homes went on sale on November 15, 1925. Located on Best Avenue between Brookdale and Trask. The houses have an attractive and varied style of architecture.

Each of the homes has six-rooms, a garage, and a laundry room.

Large living room windows
Large convertible breakfast rooms
Wards heating system and Trojan water heaters
Bathrooms with tile floors
Base plugs throughout the house
Lawns and shrubs and fences

Priced at $6950.00 each in 1925

**2506 Best Avenue today – Google maps**

**2495 Best Avenue today – Google Maps**

Two Beautiful Lakeshore Highlands Homes

Lynn also built two homes in the Lakeshore Highlands (Trestle Glen) neighborhood. One at 983 Longridge Road and the other at 957 Sunnyhills Road.

983 Longridge Road

Immense living room
Social Hall with cheerful fireplace
Large dining room
Master bedroom with sleeping porches and dressing room
Maid’s room
Radio wiring to the living room

Priced at $30,000 in 1928

**983 Longridge Road today – Google maps**

957 Sunnyhills Road

Large living room
Breakfast room with built-in cabinets
3 bedrooms with porches
3 bathrooms
Maid’s room
Full basement

Priced at $18,500 in 1928

Another home

The End

Homes, Oakland Tracts

Melrose Highlands

Posted on July 9, 2019July 14, 2020 by oaklanddots

Melrose Highland is the area off of Keller Avenue to the King Estates Open Space and over to Field Street and up to Crest Avenue – The area is now called Eastmont Hills.

Melrose Highlands to Open

In June of 1925, preliminary construction work on a new track, called Melrose Highlands, was nearly finished and ready to open.

Melrose Highlands is a part of the ‘old Houston ranch” (have to find out more about Houston), 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 of the tract and the sales agents for Melrose Highlands.

The Tract Office –

Looking up Earl Street towards Keller Avenue

A group of 12 homes was almost complete. Oakland Tribune – July 26, 1925

Display Home Opens

On opening day, a display home was ready to be toured.

FOR THE WORKINGMAN

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
states C.P. Murdock, Inc. –
Oakland Tribune – July 12, 1925

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

Transportation

Due to the interest in Melrose Highlands, CP Murdock set up a bus system to bring potential buyers to the site and for the residents.

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, was replaced by a new school (down the street), and then that school was renamed the Charles Burckhalter School. Oakland Tribune, May 10, 1969.

Obituary for the custodian of Columbia Park School – May 10, 1969

The First Resident – Earl Street

In September of 1925, Anton J. Krajnc moved into his new home with his wife and daughter. This was his first time buying a home.

It’s Paying Me To Live In Melrose Highlands
A.J. Krajnc

**From the 1928 Directory – 234 is now 7957**

The W.E. Adams home on Earl Street

**Lot 234 or 7957 Earl Street today Google maps**

The new of William E. Adams on Earl Street. Their home was located at lot No. 232, which is now 7941 Earl Street, but the houses don’t look the same.

The Willard Booth Home – Earl Street

Croup Cured – by the Warm Climate of Melrose Highlands
Mrs. W. Booth – Jan 1926

**1927 Oakland Directory** – **Anderson Street is now Keller Avenue**

**Willard Booth Home – 7908 Earl Street**

Moved from San Francisco

**House similar to the A.De Backer home**

Homes and Life in Melrose Highlands

Many New Homes

New Store

In January 1927 new store was opened by John G. Koch. The store was located in the 7979 Macarthur (give or take a few numbers). The building was later in the way of the 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

**Oakland Tribune 1927 – Shows the new store**

You can see the store both the upper and lower articles

More Melrose Highlands Homes

The article below shows the progress of Melrose Highlands as of June 1926. The streets with the most homes are Earl Street, Winthrope Street, Keller Avenue, and Greenly Drive.

The End

History, Oakland Tracts

Sather Park – Photos from 1914

Posted on June 17, 2019January 16, 2020 by oaklanddots

Sather Park – 1917

Sather Park Tract is now known as Lakeshore Highlands and Trestle Glen.

I have shared a few of the photos from an album entitled “Lakeshore Highlands” that was prepared for Frederick Law Olmsted who was hired by Walter H. Leimert.

The album is from the archives of Olmsted at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site and Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior,
National Park Service.

Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903) is recognized as the founder of American landscape architecture and the nation’s foremost park maker. Olmsted moved his home to suburban Boston in 1883 and established the world’s first full-scale professional office for the practice of landscape design. During the next century, his sons and successors perpetuated Olmsted’s design ideals, philosophy, and influence.

I believe the photos were taken by Cheney Photo Advertising Company and Morton Photo Company.

The album can be viewed here: Album 1 – Lakeshore Highlands Job #5945 –

Sather Park – June 1914

Now Lakeshore Highlands and Trestle Glen

**C 1914**
**Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior,**
**National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site**

Sather Park – June 1914

Now Lakeshore Highlands and Trestle Glen – The “Glen” (a.k.a. Indian Gulch)

View Southwest from between Wesley Avenue and Radnor Road – June 1914

Looking at Wesley Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd, Lake Merritt and downtown.

View North Between Excelsior and Beacon Avenues – June 1914

View Northwest from Between Hillgirt Circle and Haddon Road – June 1914

View Southwest towards Haddon Hill – June 1914

You can see what is now the corner of Lake Park Ave and Grand Avenue. The future home of the Grand Lake Theater.

Looking North from Hillgirt Circle North and Hillgirt Circle South – Haddon Hill – Today Prospect Avenue and Hillgirt Circle – June 1914 –

You can see Santa Clara Avenue, Grand Lake Avenue. The future location of the Grand Lake Theater, Lakeview School and the MacArthur Freeway

Looking Northwest from Haddon Hill Towards Sather Tract Entrance – June 1914

Looking towards the Trader Joe’s parking lot and the Trestle Glen Road. You can see Rand Avenue and Mandana Blvd.

**LAKESHORE HIGHLANDS OAKLAND,**
c 1918
Lake Shore Highlands; Wickham Havens –Sather Tract, formerly –Leimert, Walter H
Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.

Map of HADDON HILL
c1914
Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior,
National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.

Haddon Hill – Wesley Avenue – Google Maps
Lakeshore Home Association – website
Olmsted Legacy and Lakeshore Homes – Our History

I will talk more about Sather Park later.

The End

East Oakland, Elmhurst, Oakland Tracts, Tract or Subdivisions

Toler Heights

Posted on June 11, 2019May 10, 2021 by oaklanddots

Toler Ranch

William Pinkney Toler (1829-1899) and his wife Maria Antonia (1836-1926) owned 330 (349) acres of land in the foothills of Elmhurst. Maria was the daughter of Hermenegildo “Ignacio” Peralta. William and Maria were married in 1853.

The Ranch was on the foothills road between Elmhurst and San Leandro, later known as Foothill Blvd, and is now MacArthur Blvd. The ranch was close to both the Talbot Farm and the Dunsmuir Home.

Toler Ranch Sold

After her husband’s death, Mrs. Toler sold the ranch to the Realty Syndicate for $110,000-$120,000. The land was then subdivided and placed on the market.

Map of Toler Heights – 1907

Map of Toler Heights : Brooklyn Township, Alameda County, Califo — Shows block and lot numbers, measurements, land ownership, etc. Covers area bounded generally by Stanley Rd. [i.e. Ave.], Wise [i.e. 99th] Ave., Foothill [i.e. MacArthur] Blvd., and Hillcrest Ave. [i.e. Seneca St.]. Panel title: Map of Toler Heights, Elmhurst, Oakland. Oriented with north toward left. Cadastral map. t

Opening Day 1907

Toler Heights went on sale in 1907. A group of Investors owned the property, and the Southwest Securities Company was handling the sales for them.

Change of Ownership

In 1910 the Henderson & Tapscotts Company purchased Toler Heights. The made a lot of improvements to the tract. Opening day in was held on May 22, 1910

Looking towards Thermal Street and 90th Avenue
Cheney Photo Advertising Company c1910
Previously sold on eBay

The photo above might be showing the Silva Ranch on Foothill Blvd

Opening day was one of the most auspicious days in the residential property sold. Oakland Tribune May 24, 1910

The Piedmont of East Oakland
SF Examiner
SF Examiner

The corner of MacArthur and 90th Avenue
Cheney Photo Advertising Company c1912
Previously sold on eBay

Another change in ownership

In 1922, the property was for sale via an auction. “Sales way down.” Oakland Tribune May 28, 1922

**Along Foothill Blvd**
**Oakland Tribune June 04, 1922**

New School – May 1928 – Now Barack Obama Academy

**Toler Heights School – Now Barac**k **Obama Academy**
**9736 Lawlor Street**

Location

More Information on Toler Heights

Ready to Rush to Toler Heights – Oakland Tribune Oct 05, 1907
Birdseye View of Toler Height Advertisement – SF Examiner Oct 13, 1907
90th Avenue to be Boulevard – Oakland Tribune Jul 12, 1914
The Men Who will Try an Auction – Oakland Tribune Jun 03, 1922
Absolute Auction – Oakland Tribune June 04, 1922

Toler Heights – Oakland CA
The Oakland Neighborhood Project – Toler Heights

More to come – Toler Heights Homes

The End

Dimond District, Laurel, Oakland Tracts

Hopkins Town – in the Dimond District

Posted on June 9, 2019February 14, 2020 by oaklanddots

In Hopkinstown every lot is practically level, all lots are big and deep with sewer, water, gas and electricity in front of every lot.
Oakland Tribune Aug 15, 1922

Oakland Tribune Aug 15, 1922

Hopkins Town was a small subdivision in the Dimond District.

HopkinsTown was located at Hopkins St (now MacArthur Blvd) Georgia, Maple, and Peralta Ave (now Coolidge) and Carmel and Morgan Streets.

California Subdivision Company handled the sales. It opened in September 1922.

Was the Josiah Rose Farm

Hopkinstown was once the farm of Josiah Rose, who settled there in 1864. When Rose lived on his farm, the Antonia Mario Peralta was his neighbor.

From the 1894 Directory

In 1922 Rose’s daughter Mary Mulrooney (Mulroony) and her son James still lived on a small piece of the farm on Peralta Street (now Coolidge). I found that in 1933 Mary lived at 2844 Georgia Street, which is part of a small commercial area that Loard’s Ice Cream is today. Mary died in 1933.

Hopkinstown Like City Within a City ;In Oakland
Oakland Tribune
Oakland Tribune

Get a Home — Your Own Buy — Build –Live In Hopkinstown All for $49 First Payment

The fastest growing “small home” community in the state.
Oakland Tribune 1922
Oakland Tribune 1922

Every lot is a GOOD lot, and NO HILLSIDES!

“HopkinsTown” Is the Latest

**Oakland Tribune Aug 20, 1922**
**His home was on Georgia Street**

NO MISTAKE! FREE Home Plans

From Bare Ground to Housekeeping in Two Days

Church for Hopkinstown

I didn’t find many homes that were built in Hopkins Town, at least they weren’t advertised. This is the area I live in now. I drove around the area, trying to locate some of the homes. I did notice small homes on deep lots.

In the late 1950s, the unsold Hopkins Town lots were being rezoned for duplexes or apartment buildings. The large lots zoned for single-family homes has long caused the planning department problems.

Today I noticed on Morgan Street there is lots of building going on. They are converting a few of the Hopkins Town Tract “lots’ into duplexes or triplexes.

	oaklanddots on Money-Back Smith
	oaklanddots on Mills Gardens
	Laine Farley on Naming Our City Streets
	Janet Smith on Mills Gardens
	Sabine Kooner on Mills Gardens

Casa Linda

Casa Palomar or Palomares

Casa Novia

Sold in 2020

Culver House

Sold in 2020

Villa Romancia

Open House 2021

Culver Street Homes

List of Model Homes:

More Info:

The End

Spanish Style Home

Casa De La Vista

The Windsor House

Calafia Avenue Home

A Beautiful Home

Overlooking the Oak Knoll Clubhouse

Calandria Avenue Home

Panorama of Oak Knoll Home – Dorisa Avenue

New Developer at Oak Knoll

An Oak Knoll Home

Freeway

More Info:

The End

In Fairway Estates

In Fairway Estates

The Jefferson Home

Oak Knoll Country Club District

In Fairway Estates

Model Homes in Fairway Estates

Spanish Type Model Home

Model Country Club Residence

Beautiful Spanish Model Home

Fairway Estates Home

La Casa Bella

Spanish Home at Oak Knoll

More Info:

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Family History

Subdivided

Watts’ Tract Auction Sale

Streets Named For

Some homes in the Watts Tract

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St. Lawrence O’Toole

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Lynn Homes on Nicol Avenue

Lynn Homes on Best Avenue

Two Beautiful Lakeshore Highlands Homes

Another home

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Related

Melrose Highlands to Open

Display Home Opens

FOR THE WORKINGMAN

Transportation

New School for Melrose Highlands

The First Resident – Earl Street

The W.E. Adams home on Earl Street

The Willard Booth Home – Earl Street

Moved from San Francisco

Homes and Life in Melrose Highlands

Many New Homes

New Store

More Melrose Highlands Homes

More on Melrose Highlands

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Sather Park – 1917

Sather Park – June 1914

Sather Park – June 1914

View Southwest from between Wesley Avenue and Radnor Road – June 1914

View North Between Excelsior and Beacon Avenues – June 1914

View Northwest from Between Hillgirt Circle and Haddon Road – June 1914

View Southwest towards Haddon Hill – June 1914

Looking North from Hillgirt Circle North and Hillgirt Circle South – Haddon Hill – Today Prospect Avenue and Hillgirt Circle – June 1914 –

Looking Northwest from Haddon Hill Towards Sather Tract Entrance – June 1914

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