Oakland Heritage Alliance's 2002 House Tour

(aka OHA meets OHA)
By Cindy Haines

In 2002 Oakmore Highlands was selected for the Oakland Heritage Alliance's Annual Historic Home Tour. The tour featured 10 classic style homes from the 1920's and 30's ranging in style from Monterey Colonial, Mediterranean , Rustic Tudor, and Spanish Colonial to a Monterey with Art Deco and Moderne features. Architects represented included Miller & Warnecke, Chester Treichel, and Guy Brown. Many of the tour homes featured gardens which followed the stepped topography of the Oakmore hillside and gave a dramatic accent to the home and the tour. As a special treat, a vintage Packard automobile was parked in front of each tour home. The autos were provided by the Packard Club of Marin County .

The tour provided a peek into the sunny neighborhood we call Oakmore, with its treasured panoramic views. The event’s success was due in large part to the cooperation of many Oakmore residents and friends both before and especially on the day of the tour. Attendance for this tour exceeded any previous one that the Oakland Heritage Alliance had conducted. Over 200 people enjoyed wandering through the homes and gardens.

The Oakmore Homes Association sponsored the pre-tour event. Refreshments, music, and a dedication ceremony unveiling the City of Oakland’s historic landmark plaques #40, one on each end of the Leimert Bridge. The plaque recognizes the historic relevance of the bridge, its design over Sausal Creek, and its engineer/designer, George Posey.

Councilman Dick Spees and State Assemblywoman Wilma Chan graciously performed the honors. Immediately following the unveiling, the vintage Packards paraded across the bridge. Most of the cars immediately headed for their tour home destinations; a couple of them lingered for the crowd – which included Mayor Jerry Brown and his canine companion – to admire.