Alameda Real Estate 
Wonderful Alameda stories, tips and info
There are currently 14 blog entries related to this category.
Stately Colonial Revival in Alameda's Gold Coast $1,385,000
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 7:08pm. 209 Views, 0 Comments.
Still known to many as Dr. Boone's house, named for the Alameda fixture who owned it for years, 1000 Grand St. in Alameda's Gold Coast has come on the market for $1,385,000. The sprawling 4 bedroom 3 bath Colonial revival home sits on over a 1/4 acre with an abundance of original details that were retained over the years. The architech was C.H Russell who also designed the Joseph Leonard House at the foot of Union St. Theporte cochère that used to sit on the West side of the home has been turned into a sitting room, but portions of the wrap around porch are still used today. Alameda's Fourth of July parade passes right in front of this massive home. The carpets have recently been removed to reveal the quarter-sawn parquet oak flooring. The dining room's…
Oakland real estate film from the 20's and Heinold's Saloon
Saturday, May 30th, 2009 at 2:43pm. 434 Views, 0 Comments.
I found some great vintage footage from the 20's that a real estate developer made of the Oakland area. It was trumpeting all of the great things about the Oakland in regards to shipping and transportation. Oakland had one of the largest train hubs and continues to have one of the largest shipping ports on the west coast. There are some great shots of Heinold's First and Last Chance Saloon built in 1883, it looks the same today as it did back then. The name was based upon the fact that Alameda was a 'dry' town. If you were coming or going to Alameda on the ferry, Heinold's was your first and last chance to get a drink. There are also some great shots of the Tribune tower and downtown Oakland as well as the shipping ports that made Oakland famous. I will…
How "Grand" is Grand Street?
Thursday, March 5th, 2009 at 6:01pm. 157 Views, 0 Comments.
Grand Street in Alameda passes through some of the most elegant and charming homes in the city. It bisects the island, beginning humbly at the Grand Street Launch Ramp on the Oakland Estuary, and, as it moves westward, it is lined with handsome homes on wide tree shaded lawns.
Originally it stopped at the waters of San Francisco Bay at what was once the location of the Encinal Yacht Club. Today, that spot is occupied by Wood Middle School, and the land has been filled in to make space for many hundreds of postwar homes and the original South Shore Center.
The street lives up to its name when one wanders down its spacious route, and takes time to explore the many side streets leading to it. It is a place of expensive homes. Over the latter part of the…
Wow! What A View!
Friday, February 27th, 2009 at 5:57pm. 791 Views, 0 Comments.
There are some serious benefits about living on an island like Alameda. The major one is that we are, by definition surrounded by water! That allows us to have beachside parties and picnics on a regular basis. Since our weather is so moderate, we can spend more time on the sand than most other land bound people. One of the most amazing stretches of water can be seen at the extreme end of Harbor Bay Parkway. Here is a view that stretches from San Francisco to the Hayward/San Mateo Bridge. On a sunny day, with the water sparkling, you could be anywhere in the world--Italy, Greece, etc..
This stretch of land invites bike riders, walkers and joggers, or the slower paced dog walker. There are pleasant sidewalks and palm trees. Little spits of land jut out…
Aboard a Legend
Thursday, February 19th, 2009 at 10:47am. 122 Views, 0 Comments.
It's windy and chilly, and I am standing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier Hornet (CV-12) which is berthed at the home of the old Alameda Naval Air Station in Alameda.
Now a floating museum that is open to the public, it is an amazing tribute to all the sailors and marines who served on her. Commissioned in 1943, she was active in World War II, the Vietnam War, and was selected to retreive the Apollo astronauts when they "splashed down" on their return from the moon.
While admiring the amazing view of San Francisco Bay, I watch people of all ages and sizes come up the gangplank to visit. As I return to the interior, I hear people talking about signing up for a family overnight on board. What a thrill that will be for everyone to spend the night…
Tourist For a Day
Tuesday, February 3rd, 2009 at 10:23am. 132 Views, 0 Comments.
I recently agreed to meet a friend at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, and decided that it might be fun to take a ferry boat ride across the bay to get there. I was very pleased with my choice, because once I boarded the ferry, I went instantly into tourist mode. It's not often that most of us get out on the water, and this ride takes you into the middle of everything nautical. As you leave, small private boats, both power and sail, are moving past you towards the estuary entrance. On the Oakland side, a huge container ship is off loading its carge.
Once underway, the boat moves quickly, and if you want to go upstairs and outside, a fresh sea breeze can chill the unwary. You rush by the Bay Bridge with its usual load of cars, and you can see the…
"In Memory of My Dumb Friends"
Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 2:03pm. 143 Views, 0 Comments.
For years, I have driven by what appears to be a concrete monument at the south end of Jackson Park, on which is written the words "In Memory of My Dumb Friends". I have always wanted to know the back story to this piece of history, so I did some research. It was designed to provide water and a resting place for animals and their owners in and around the park. Built in 1920 by Isabelle Clark as a memorial to her husband, it orginally had a water trough set in the concrete. The remains of the bench still stand as a tribute to the efforts of a fine lady who wanted to aid the "dumb" animals in the area. At the time, the term "dumb" was used to refer to animals who did not have the gift of speech, and did not refer to their mental acuity!
Jackson Park is…
Victorian Determination
Thursday, January 29th, 2009 at 10:17am. 97 Views, 0 Comments.
Most Alameda residents drive right past it. If they notice it, they may raise an eyebrow in amusement, but continue along Broadway to complete their list of errands.
What they may not know, is that the unique house at the corner of Broadway and Crist has an interesting history. Called the "Spite House', it was built at the turn of the 19th century by Charles Froling.
The story about the house says that during that time, the city of Alameda had made plans to build a street in the immediate area. In doing so, it took a very large portion of Froling's land on which he was planning to build a showplace home. He was left with very little to work with. To spite the city, and an adjacent neighbor, he proceded to build his house anyway.
The house is…
Another "Civic Center"
Monday, January 19th, 2009 at 2:35pm. 87 Views, 0 Comments.
The other Saturday morning in Alameda, I was waiting for the Main Library to open. Looking around, I was delighted to see the happy faces of toddlers gathering at the front entrance to attend the Mother Goose Storytime event in the Chilren's Section of the library. The parents were chatting among themselves, and recognizing each other from other events. Once the door opened, they were in in a rush, and heading in for the fun.
After I got my books, I looked around this "new" (2006) library with amazement. It had truly become a new "Civic Center". I reflected that while the children are downstairs, students are often sitting in front of the many computers researching school projects, and sit side by side with older seniors who are downloading recipes,…
Alameda's Neptune Beach
Friday, January 16th, 2009 at 11:03am. 84 Views, 0 Comments.
On March 31, 1917, a Alameda institution opened its doors to the public. Named "Neptune Beach", it was to be the home of family fun and recreation for more than two decades, and would come to be called "The Coney Island of the West". 
Located at the intersection of Webster and Central, its entrance was marked by a very tall Moorish style tower that was decorated with colorful tiles. Behind this entrance, visitors found swimming pools, a very tall high diving platform, a dance hall, a merry-go-round, and a fairway of fun. Rides in the fairway included, at one time or another, a flying biplane ride, a speedway, a roller coaster and a Ferris wheel.
Additionally, Neptune Beach was the venue for many sporting events, including boxing and wrestling matches. …
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