The Jaynes/Schmidt Sub-division Homes from 115 yrs.ago, Central Berkeley

I've changed the meeting/location of today's event. We'll explore the heritage architecture on the streets around the Gourmet Ghetto, from Hearst to Berryman from Bonita to Walnut. About two miles and flat.

Meet at the North Berkeley Senior Center at the northeast corner of Hearst Ave. & MLK Blvd. I find two hour parking on Bonita St., between Virginia and Vine St., then I walk to the Senior Center. This location seems to be a sure thing but you may find parking closer. Watch the parking signs for street cleaning day and times.

This is not the oldest section of Berkeley. But it was developed during a period of rapid growth, peaking here from 1906 to 1918. A quiet, early suburban area not much impacted over the years from outside real estate interests.
We'll see great examples of original, mostly untouched residential architecture from 1895 up to 1939. Maybe with a peak into a nearby, old railroad tunnel. (see photo)

Two hour parking here. But be sure to check the parking signage for street cleaning day.

About a three mile walk today with some interesting old timey things to find. Afterwards the option for lunch at a wide selection of very good places.

Photo above of a brown shingle craftsman house on Edith St, built in 1908, the Lottie T. Bailey House. There are many arts & crafts style houses on the tour today. As well as great examples of Spanish-Mediterranean Revival styles.

Information comes from the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Assoc.

As we walk along the tour route, identifying /house spotting, as we learn the following information for some of the houses we pass.

• Architect's name
• Year built & builder's name
• Original owner's name .
• Architectural style (Victorian, craftsman, period revival etc.)
• Possibly a human interest story from the home's past and/or a unique architectural feature or streetscape.

The above detailed information comes from the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association research and comprehensive data they have published.

We often see on some tours the oldest local houses, the pioneer style and Victorians, followed by, 1st bay traditional, Berkeley brown shingle, arts & crafts movement and Bernard Maybeck's signature style from the 1890s onward.