Dublin - Silvergate subdivision 1966

Located in the rolling hills of Dublin, this advertisement from June 5, 1966 shows the desirable Silvergate subdivision. Built by the remarkable Tom Gentry (Gentry Development Company), Silvergate offered one and two-story homes starting at $23,950. These homes offered high-end features like coaxial T.V. cable; virtually unheard of for almost another decade. Although residents in the area could attest to poor or non-existent TV reception, making cable a virtual necessity.

Although these homes are located adjacent to the competiting master-planned San Ramon Village, Tom Gentry always choose to use the term "Dublin" to describe the location. At the time, Dublin was relatively unknown to home buyers west of the Village. However, the term began to show prominence in new home developments, even far into today's San Ramon.

Roughly speaking, the Silvergate subdivision (or "Silver Gate Homes" in the earlier phases) celebrated its grand opening in May 1963. The earliest known advertisement came in December 30, 1962 and announced a preview opening. Most homes were built on Silvergate drive and extended southward toward the Briar Hill subdivision, just west of San Ramon Road. Covering 150 acres, 400 homes were built between 1963 and 1967. The six model homes were designed by architect Norm Dyer. Tom Gentry, always an innovator, even included pools with some homes in the early phases.

Notice on the included map for Silvergate that Interstate 680 terminated at 580 and showed a dotted line for the future freeway.

Enjoy!

San Ramon Village - Unit 5 subdivision - 1961

4 Bedroom homes with 2 sultan-size baths in San Ramon Village, starting at $15,995! Downgrade to a 3 bedroom model and the price drops to $13,995. Yes, this is 1961 pricing, but still an incredible deal.

This advertisement dated February 26, 1961 appeared in the Hayward Daily Review newspaper. It featured two popular models in the development: The Palm Springs and The Suburban. Unit #5 homes featured thermostatically-controlled heat, wallpaper, acoustical-type ceilings, and diamond-pane windows.

Unit 5 was the first segment in phase II of San Ramon Village, opening in early 1961. Unit 5 contains 234 homes and offered three and four bedroom homes. Unit 5 is the area bordered by I-680 on the west, Amador Valley Blvd on the south, Village Parkway on the east, and Tamarack Drive on the north. Although many of Volk-McClain's subdivisions used recycled home plans, the elevations on the Suburban and the Palm Springs were unique to the homes east of I-680.

San Ramon - Rancho Solana - 1967

Opening in Fall of 1966, Kay Homes introduced Rancho Solana in San Ramon.

Originally offering 5 models ranging from a 3 bedroom 1,533 sq. ft. single-level to a 5 bedroom 2,229 sq. ft. two-story. Each model featured the panoramic "Vista Kitchen," which were billed as kitchens with wall-to-wall windows. A sixth 4-bedroom model was later introduced, but only found popularity by one buyer (not including the model).

The most popular model was the 4 bedroom/2 bathroom 1,795 sq. ft. rancher featuring a step-down living room and family room.

When Kay Homes either merged or was purchased by Dame Homes, Rancho Solana was renamed (correctly) to Rancho Solano.

The development sold out by the end of 1968.

The original models can by found on Winslow Place.

The newspaper clipping came from the Oakland Tribune on May 28, 1967, after Dame had renamed the development. The rendering is the actual backyard of 20 Winslow Place.

Dublin - San Ramon Village - Parkwood San Ramon subdivision 1962

Here's a story from the Oakland Tribune dated November 18, 1962. It's reporting the opening of Parkwood San Ramon, new homes in San Ramon Village from $22,950 to $23,950.

Also included is a map of the subdivision, encompassing Wicklow Lane, Wickow Court, Ardmore Place, and a portion of Davona Drive in Dublin.

The subdivisions off Alcosta were generally referred to as the "Country Club Section," propagating this area to be upscale, thus, worth the extra cost.

The Parkwood San Ramon subdivision was developed by Monarch Construction and offered 102 homes in your choice of three models. The subdivision was largely completed in a single year, 1962.

An updated photo of a random home from Wicklow Lane is pictured. This particular model featured a unique "bonus room," which is the entire second floor. Parkwood San Ramon has the distinction of being Dublin's first two-story homes in a subdivision!

Enjoy!

Vintage Postcards: Dublin 1972

Here's a beautiful postcard showing an aerial view of Dublin, San Ramon, and Mount Diablo.

The back of the postcard reads "Dublin, California. Aerial view of the fast-growing northern California community with Mt. Diablo in the background."

Visible is the San Ramon Drive-in, Dublin Cinema, and the Handyman home improvement center.

My guess is this postcard was taken in Spring 1972, possibly Spring 1971. The Shamrock Estates subdivision in Dublin has yet to be built (started in 1973) and what looks to be the California Classics subdivision way down Alcosta in San Ramon is under construction.

Previous postcards with views similar to this were titled "San Ramon Village" or "San Ramon." This is one of the earliest postcards with Dublin's own identify. San Ramon itself was still a town without an identity. Out-of-towners had trouble make the distinction. Some just called it "Dublin-San Ramon."

Enjoy the view!
Scott

Dublin - Ecco Park of San Ramon Subdivision 1967

One of the largest subdivisions in Dublin, the Ecco Park of San Ramon subdivision contains nearly 600 homes in San Ramon Village.

The development opened on Sunday August 29, 1965, selling out and closing around August 1969. Original prices ranged from $17,950 for the Bayview model to $20,950 for the Newport model. As of today, homes for sale range from $429,950 to $685,500.

This article is from The Daily Review [Hayward], dated January 29, 1967. It shows a picture of the models, which started at 7124 Amador Valley Boulevard and worked their way westward. Additional models were added later (as well as renaming of the original model names). An updated picture from Google Maps shows the same homes today (notice someone hasn't put away their garbage can).

Included is a map of the development showing its enormity. Ecco Park of San Ramon occupies nearly the entire developable area south of Amador Valley Boulevard. Only a portion was purchased by the developers of Redwing Valley (later Appletree) subdivision.

In 1969, Ecco Park leapfrogged across Amador Valley Boulevard with a few homes on Emerald Avenue. The lots were pillaged from the Villa de San Ramon development (which was not unusual).

Ecco Park is constantly being referred to as "Echo Park" in real estate. Hopefully, some Realtors will see this post and start using its correct name.

Enjoy!

Pleasanton - Amador Estates subdivision - 1964

Homes from $16,500 in Pleasanton? This ad from The Daily Review [Hayward] on August 16, 1964 shows one unbelievable deal.

The Amador Estates subdivision featured three models in "the sunshine belt." The model shown in the ad is the Candia model. The prominent front window is the master bedroom, but this model is occassional reversed with the master bedroom facing the back and the other two bedrooms facing the front. A current picture of a Candia model on Cortez Court is shown. The original show model was most likely at 1580 Santa Rita Road.

A map of Amador Estates is also shown. The subdivision borders Santa Rita Road, Valley Avenue, Alisal Elementary School, and Kolln Street.

Today, many of the homes in this neighborhood have been modified to varying degrees. Pleasanton's home values have skyrocketed and this neighborhood's excellent location next to Amador Valley Community Park, Amador Valley High School, Alisal Elementary School, shopping centers, and business parks makes this nearly-affordable neighborhood (on the Pleasanton scale) desirable.

Enjoy!
Scott