Part 8 – Highway 77 Redux in Shepherd Canyon

After the Caldecott Tunnel was opened, there was no talk of a highway through Shepherd Canyon until articles started to appear in 1954. At that time, the route through Contra Costa County was not revealed.

L256-05-Courtesy Oakland History Room, Oakland Public Library, (Image 1 of 42)

There were changes made to Park Blvd. west of Mountain Blvd. in the 1950s, such as the straightening and widening of the segment between Delores Ave. and Hollywood Ave., as seen in these east views. This update will not cover these changes, see https://www.cahighways.org/ROUTE077.html for more details. Ref: Google Maps, l, East Bay Regional Park District, c, Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey, Oakland City Planning Department, r

L256-10-Multiple Attributions, (Image 2 of 42)

As Park Blvd. approached Mountain Blvd. on Sept. 23, 1953, east view, the Division of Highways was in the process of creating the Warren Freeway through Montclair. As with the Pleasant Valley Rd. exit in Lafayette, the design appeared to also take into account a future Shepherd Canyon Highway.

L256-15-Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey, Oakland City Planning Department, (Image 3 of 42)

Recall that the extension of the Mountain Boulevard Freeway beyond Broadway Terrace, yellow arrows, stalled between the late 1930s until the Division of Highways took over the project in the 1950s. Ref: Courtesy Oakland History Room, Oakland Public Library, 267 or F-1200, Copyright California Department of Transportation, 4975-1

L256-20-Multiple Attributions, (Image 4 of 42)

These two northwest views show the maturation of the crossing of Park Blvd. over the Warren Freeway as dated. Relative to the other interchanges on the future Highway 13, this one was more complex as reiterated above, but there were no changes east of here relative to a connection with Park Blvd. within the canyon. Note that at this time, the name Shepherd Canyon Rd. did not apply to the road deep in the canyon, and the road will be referred to as Park Blvd., the original name until the 1960s based on maps.

L256-25-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 4975-06, l, 5398-1, r , (Image 5 of 42)

A complementary southeast view over the Park Blvd.-Warren Freeway interchange in July 12, 1960 shows no further construction to the east or left of the road in this image.

L256-30-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7583-1 , (Image 6 of 42)

No documents have been found that discuss the acquisition of the property to the east of the new overpass that would allow a connection, red broken line, into the canyon in the east view from Apr. 22, 1960. The plans for the abandoned Sacramento Northern, SN, right-of-way, turquoise arrows, are noted in the posted newspaper clipping, although the actual documentation of the property transfer has not yet been found.

L256-35-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7453-12 , (Image 7 of 42)

Next to address how the insertion of a highway in the canyon would displace property owners. This process will first start with aerial views from Apr. 22, 1960, and continue with Division of Highways property appraisals. These views show the western end of the canyon with Paso Robles Dr. marked by the orange arrows.

L256-40-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7453-1, 7453-11, (Image 8 of 42)

Deeper into the canyon on Apr. 22, 1960, the abandoned west portal for the SN tunnel at Saroni Dr. is marked by yellow arrows. The cleared out portion in the foreground of the right panel is the future site of the Hills Swim and Tennis Club, ca. 1962, at no. 2400 Manzanita Dr.

L256-45-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7453-7, 10, (Image 9 of 42)

This very inexact southeast panorama from Apr. 22, 1960 shows the placement of the swim club, turquoise arrow, the double set of electrical transmission towers on Manzanita Dr., green arrow, and the approximate placement of Eastwood Ct., the road whose path under which the new highway tunnel was planned to follow, red arrows.

L256-50-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7453-5, 6, (Image 10 of 42)

Another very inexact west panorama from Apr. 22, 1960 from the Contra Costa County side shows the junction of Park Blvd., Manzanita Dr. and Pinehurst Rd., orange arrows, the east portal for the SN tunnel at Pinehurst Rd., green arrow, and the Paso Robles Dr. junction with Park Blvd., turquoise arrow.

L256-55-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 7453-8, 9, (Image 11 of 42)

While the aerials document the highly undeveloped state of the canyon floor, the property appraisals performed by the Division of Highways as a basis for eminent domain proceedings are shown here in this 1957 map from one of these documents by the State for two properties outlined in red.

L256-60-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5447, (Image 12 of 42)

Presented next are two more detailed maps from 1957, the one shown here of the west side of the canyon. Although no houses were seen in the aerials of this section, the high extent of the division of property ownership of these empty lots is striking.

L256-65-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5447, (Image 13 of 42)

This trend in empty lot property ownership continued to the east side of the canyon.

L256-70-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5447, (Image 14 of 42)

The documents provide important dates for the project, not yet Highway 77, but, as documented in the previous presentation for this time period, Ala 235. The designation as 225 in the General Information is a typo. The lot pictured at the top right, parcel 19727, north side of Park Blvd., west of Moore Dr., is seen in a northeast view from Park Blvd., and was appraised at 1500 dollars. The bottom image, parcel 2449, is a lot on Woodrow Dr., east of 7211, as viewed from Woodrow Dr., was appraised at 1350 dollars. Both images were taken in Apr. 1959.

L256-75-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5447, (Image 15 of 42)

The next two parcels in question bring up another relatively frequent occurrence in this area, tax deeded lots, as show in this Jan 1959 map. The lot to the west of Paso Robles Dr., lot 20713, may never have been taken by the State due a standstill in negotiations, and when funds were not available.

L256-80-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5448, (Image 16 of 42)

Shown here is the information for the two lots in question. The middle panel shows the lot off of Paso Robles Dr., as seen in a northwest view from the road in Apr. 1959. The top right image is a south view of lot 24513 from Sims Dr., the lower one a north view from the undeveloped portion of Sims Dr., also from Apr. 1959.

L256-85-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5448, (Image 17 of 42)

The next map provides a comparison of a lot to be acquired by the State, green outlined parcel 24411, versus a parcel sold in July 1959, which later became acquired as parcel 24401. Both separated the SN right-of-way from Woodrow Dr., and would have had no value for development until the railway’s abandonment in 1957.

L256-90-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5674, (Image 18 of 42)

The documentation for each of the two lots are provided here. The middle image is an east view along Woodrow Dr. at the downslope of the lot into the SN right-of-way, at this time partly filled in and grown over. The image to the right is a similar east view down Woodrow Dr. The heavy cluster of bushes hang above the entry of the west portal of the SN tunnel. Both images from 1962.

L256-95-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5674, (Image 19 of 42)

Then next group of lots are examples of ones that were acquired by a single individual just before the State’s appraisals.

L256-100-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, (Image 20 of 42)

The documentation for lot 24504 is presented here. The image was taken ca. 1960 from a north view from a cul-de-sac adjacent to the abandoned railway bed, the bed being behind the photographer taking this image.

L256-105-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, (Image 21 of 42)

Here is a map with other lots acquired by the same individual.

L256-110-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, (Image 22 of 42)

The first lot in this section appears far enough away from the path of the new highway as to not be involved in its construction. The basis for this take could be related to the need for a construction zone, improvements in utilities, or for as a portion of an on ramp, although no reason was given. In 2021, this once empty lot is filled by a house as shown.

L256-115-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, and Google Maps, (Image 23 of 42)

Two sets of images were pieced together to create two panoramas. The top set are a northwest view from Flores Ct., the lower set a southeast view from Sayre Dr.

L256-120-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, (Image 24 of 42)

The next lot obtained by the same owner was immediately west of the lot along the abandoned railway path detailed in L256-90 and L256-95. The description for the image shown here was “View from Park Blvd. showing a gully and watercourse that separate the sloped and wooded parcel to Park Blvd.” These references are actually the abandoned railway bed, and the still opened culvert for “Shephard” Creek. Read on …

L256-125-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, (Image 25 of 42)

Three lots to the east, the evaluation of lot 24409 had much better images …

L256-130- Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, (Image 26 of 42)

The description for the left image in the appraisal was “View of the wood drainage ditch and gully separating the parcel from Park. Blvd”. This is the culverted “Shephard” Creek, whose creation circa 1925 was documented in the previous presentation. The railway bed is to the right, at this point descending to the tunnel portal. The image on the right was described as “View from Park Blvd. showing the upslope descending from Woodrow Dr.” The image looks at a right angle to the railway bed, the latter too low down to appreciate.

L256-135-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, (Image 27 of 42)

There was one additional parcel in this set attributed to a different owner, presented here as a reminder that the exit of the railway from the canyon, and the plans to build a road, did fuel speculation. The view here is a view down Moore Dr., the direction not indicated.

L256-140-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5523, (Image 28 of 42)

So far the discussion has been about empty lots circa 1960, but next to ask if anyone lost their house for a highway that was never to be built. This section will deal with six houses representing the east and west portions of the proposed highway. The first set is the cluster to the west, three residences on Woodrow Dr., just east of Paso Robles Dr., highlighted by the green border in the above description. This land was most likely to be involved in an off ramp.

L256-145-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 29 of 42)

The house at no. 7150 Woodrow Dr. was on the State’s take list. Of the six parcels to be presented here, it had the highest appraised value, and it was the second house built in the Forestland Heights tract, the year 1930. City records available on-line only go back to 1976, and there is no indication the house was ever taken.

L256-150-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 30 of 42)

Any rail photographer who took a photo of the SN down the canyon in an east view past 1930 documented this house, as did those taking myriad images at the SN Havens flag stop. Northeast view, circa 1940.

L256-155-From Charles Savage, Courtesy Tom Gray , (Image 31 of 42)

Four images, left and middle, are of no. 7150 Woodrow in 1960. Starting left to middle, top to bottom: West view from intersection of Park Blvd. and Shelterwood Dr.; West view from Park Blvd. west of the aforementioned intersection; South view from Woodrow Dr.; and, west view along Woodrow Dr. The two images in color, right, are from 2021, documenting the presence of the original house.

L256-160-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, and Stuart Swiedler Photos, (Image 32 of 42)

The house at no. 7151 was the next one built in the Forestland Heights tract, the year 1938, and the last one until the 1950s. City records available on-line only go back to 1976, and there is no indication the house was ever taken.

L256-165-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 33 of 42)

Presented here are three views of no. 7151 as follows: left, east view from Woodrow Dr.; middle, view from the patio over the garage; and right, north view from Woodrow Dr. The house that is there today is a very modern structure completed around 2007. The builder of the home stated that the original home was present when the work was started.

L256-166-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 34 of 42)

Finally, the documentation for the third house on the list at no. 7211 Woodrow Dr.

L256-170-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 35 of 42)

Three images of no. 7211 are shown here as follows: left, north view from Woodrow Dr. in 1960; middle, northwest view from Woodrow Dr. in 1960; right, northwest view from 2021, the latter showing a similar, but clearly different or modified version of the original house on the lot.

L256-175-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, and Google Maps, (Image 36 of 42)

City records available on-line show the State did own the property related to the Highway 77 project. The house appeared to have been damaged by a fire and was vacant at the time of auction. A variance was also filed to enlarge the house once purchased.

L256-176-Courtesy City of Oakland, (Image 37 of 42)

The next three houses were deeper in the canyon, located where the highway tunnel portal was to be placed. The east view from 1960 shows the portion of Park Blvd. just before the road takes a wide left turn and connects with Eastwood Ct.

L256-180-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 38 of 42)

Presented here are the appraisal reviews for the three houses in question. The State’s appraisal folder noted that no. 6941 and no. 6933 “closed on District IV Schedules” in 1961 and 1960, respectively, but there was no documentation in the City records to indicate the houses were ever taken, records that went back to the original building permits in the early 1950s.

L256-185-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 39 of 42)

City records available on-line confirm that no. 6933 received building permit no. B39601 to erect a structure on Apr. 30, 1952, and no. 6949 received building permit no. B42396 to erect a structure on Aug. 1, 1952. All three structures are intact in 2021.

L256-190-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 40 of 42)

Views of the houses in 1960 are presented as follows, top to bottom where applicable, left to right: For no. 6949, north view across Park Blvd., northwest view across Park Blvd; For no. 6941, a view from Aitken Dr. The house appears different in 2021 due to a second story addition in 1977. For no. 6933, view from Aitken Dr., north view across Park Blvd.

L256-195-Copyright California Department of Transportation, Folder 5558, (Image 41 of 42)

This limited review that included the proposed portal site for the highway tunnel in Shepherd Canyon revealed acquisitions limited to several empty lots along the SN right-of-way, and at least one property with a house at a peripheral site. As for Park Blvd., no extension east of Mountain Blvd. can be seen on this north view from Feb. 18, 1963. Next time, the highway debate comes to a boil as the route through Contra Costa County is revealed.

L256-200-Copyright California Department of Transportation, 9500-2, (Image 42 of 42)