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.
Oakland Tribune 1949
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.
Oakland Tribune November 12, 1949
Oakland City Directory 1874
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
Oakland Daily Evening Tribune 1874
In 1874, 60 acres were subdivided, and a map of the Watts Tract was drawn up.
Oakland Tribune December 09, 1874
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.
Oakland Tribune November 12, 1949
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
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.
Oakland Tribune Aug 1912
“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’.
Oakland Tribune Aug 1912
Oakland Tribune Aug 1912
This photo was most likely taken from the hill behind the present-day Walgreens on High and Redding Streets.
Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising c. 1911 ‘The Collection of Ed Clausen’.
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.
Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising c. 1911 ‘The Collection of Ed Clausen’.
3651 39th Avenue
4026 Masterson
Laurel School
3625 Patterson Avenue
3840 MacArthur Blvd
St. Lawrence O’Toole
Oakland Tribune Aug 1912
Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising c. 1911 ‘The Collection of Ed Clausen’.
Oakland Tribune Aug 1912
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.
Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising c. 1911 ‘The Collection of Ed Clausen’.
Photo by Cheney Photo Advertising c. 1911 ‘The Collection of Ed Clausen’.
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.
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.
Oakland Tribune 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.
Oakland Tribune June 14, 1925Lynn Homes Nicol Ave today – GoogleMapsNicole Avenue today – Google maps2639 Nicol Avenue – today Google Maps
Lynn Homes on Best Avenue
Oakland Tribune Nov 15, 1925
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.
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.
Oakland Tribune 1925
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
Oakland Tribune 1925
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
Oakland Tribune 1926
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.
Oakland Tribune Jan 15, 1926
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 at6886 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.
Oakland Tribune Aug 30, 1925
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.
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.
From the 1928 Directory
The Willard Booth Home – Earl Street
Croup Cured – by the Warm Climate of Melrose Highlands
Mrs. W. Booth – Jan 1926
Oakland Tribune Jan 17, 1926
1927 Oakland Directory – Anderson Street is now Keller Avenue
Willard Booth Home – 7908 Earl Street
Moved from San Francisco
Oakland Tribune Jan 31, 1926
House similar to the A.De Backer home
Homes and Life in Melrose Highlands
Oakland Tribune Apr 1926Oakland Tribune Aug 29, 1926
Many New Homes
Oakland Tribune Jan 1927
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
Oakland Tribune 1927
Oakland Tribune Jan 1917
More Melrose Highlands Homes
Oakland Tribune 1927
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.
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 Siteand 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.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View Southwest from between Wesley Avenue and Radnor Road – June 1914
Looking at Wesley Avenue and Lakeshore Blvd, Lake Merritt and downtown.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View North Between Excelsior and Beacon Avenues – June 1914
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
View Northwest from Between Hillgirt Circle and Haddon Road – June 1914
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
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
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
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.
C 1914 Courtesy of the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site.
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.
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 Farmand theDunsmuir Home.
Oakland Tribune Oct 08, 1888
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.
Oakland Tribune Mar 26, 1906
SF Call July 30, 1906
Oakland Tribune Jan 1906
Map of Toler Heights – 1907
Shows block and lot numbers, measurements, land ownership, etc. Covers area generally bounded 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. c1907 Historical Maps of the Bay Area – Toler Heights
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.
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
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.
From 1933 Directory
2844 Georgia St – Google Maps
Hopkinstown Like City Within a City ;In Oakland
Oakland Tribune
Oakland Tribune
Oakland Tribune Aug 14, 1922
Get a Home — Your Own Buy — Build –Live In Hopkinstown All for $49 First Payment
Oakland Tribune Aug 17, 1922
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
Oakland Tribune Sept 1922
Oakland Tribune Sept 07, 1922
Oakland Tribune Sep 07, 1922
From Bare Ground to Housekeeping in Two Days
Oakland Tribune Sept 14, 1922
Church for Hopkinstown
Oakland Tribune Sept 14, 1922
Oakland Tribune Oct 1922
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.
Oakland Tribune 1959
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.
Allendale Terrace is a group of twenty-seven homes built east of High Street on Allendale Avenue. They were built and sold by K.A. Johnson.
Fifteen homes were ready for inspection in 1930. The area is most likely is considered Maxwell Park.
Oakland Tribune May 11, 1930
Twenty -seven unusually beautiful English designed homes. Five, six, and seven rooms, basements, furnaces, water heaters, and laundry rooms. Close to new schools.
All basements are sufficiently large to provide space for a social hall. The five-room homes can be converted to six-room homes by completing another room upstairs, the stairways are already built.
Claremont Circle is a real estate development by the E.B. Field Company. It opened in 1935.
Oakland Tribune Sep 1935
Claremont Circle has a magnificent panorama view of SF Bay, Golden Gate, Marin County, and Mount Tamalpais
Oakland Tribune 1935
Oakland Tribune Sep 1935
Oakland Tribune Sept 1935
Oakland Tribune 1935
Oakland Tribune 1935
The homes of Claremont Circle
Oakland Tribune Aug 1936 38 Sonia Street
Oakland Tribune Sept 1936 Not sure of the location
Oakland Tribune Oct 1936 Not sure of the location
Wide Horizons Display Home
Oakland Tribune Feb 14, 1937 34 Sonia Street
In February of 1937, the E.B. Field Company held a contest to name their newest display home that opened. The winning name was “Wide Horizons.” The house was located at 34 Sonia Street
The Home of Today is located Claremont Circle, a small real estate development by E.B. Fields Co. on Sonia Street. It opened in May of 1937. The address is 58 Sonia Street.
Oakland Tribune Apr 1937 58 Sonia Street
The Home of Today was designed and built by Earl R. MacDonald and Herman A. Schoening
It is located where Foothill Blvd meets Trask Street and 55th Avenue. 55th Avenue was formally called Central Avenue, and Foothill Blvd was often referred to as the Scenic Boulevard. Central Terrace also includes Ruth Avenue, Laverne Avenue, El Camille Avenue, and Kingsland Avenue. The area now is considered to be an extension of Maxwell Park or the Fairfax District, depending on who you talk to.
Mutual Realty Co.’s Central Terrace office,
Foothill Boulevard at 55th Avenue and Trask Street looking north
Cheney Photo Adv. Co., photographers. C 1912
Oakland Public Library, Oakland History Room.
Brochure for Central Terrace
The Mutual Realty Company put the Central Terrace Subdivision on sale in April of 1912. The agent was Fred T. Wood, who later took over the project. Then they added the Central Terrace Extension and Scenic Park Knoll
Earth Sciences and Map Library,
The University of California, Berkeley -Cadastral map. Historic Maps of Bay Area
“Central Terrace is surrounded by modern schools and educational institutions of the very highest standard, the John C. Fremont high erected at the cost of $140,000, the Melrose School, the W.P. Frick School and the Lockwood Grammar School and the famous Mills Seminary for young ladies, all are within short walking distance from any part of Central Terrace”
