from Illustrated Album of Alameda County
Palm Knoll (1890-1947) was the Vernon Heights estate of Governor (later Senator) George C. Perkins (1839–1923). It was on Perkins Street between Orange and Vernon.
Announced in 1889, the mansion was designed by none other than Walter J. Mathews and completed (including a large greenhouse) late the following year. Its thoroughly landscaped grounds, which spread from Perkins St. nearly to Pearl St., were replaced by 10 (!) apartment houses when it was demolished in 1947. Alas, Palm Knoll, we hardly knew ye … [ question: the 1950 Sanborn map shows house still standing. when was it torn down? The house is gone by the 1952 map, and 3 large apartments built on the Vernon Street side. ]
Having such an important neighbor added considerable prestige to the area’s already geographic desirability, and arguably hastened the rise of Adams Point (which would remain undeveloped another 20 years).
Source: Oakland History Center
c.1910-1930 2
from Illustrated Album of Alameda County
1903 Sanborn excerpt
1911 Sanborn excerpt
1950 Sanborn excerpt
The Sanborn maps show the carriage house being replaced by a garage sometime between 1903 and 1911, and the greenhouse being torn down sometime between 1911 and 1950.
Links and References
- Palm Knoll, UC121367 USC Digital Library
