Preserving History: Buildings Demolished, Moved and Landmarked
Properties Condemned
Image: Courtesy Donogh Collection,
Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association
According to a January 1950 newspaper article from the Donogh Real Estate files, the condemned properties were originally intended for construction of a kindergarten-primary unit to relieve Washington School of its overpopulation of “little folks.” The land, almost one acre, included the residences at 2232 - 34- 36 - 40 and 46 Spaulding Avenue, bounded by Sacramento St., Bancroft Way and Spaulding. Although the buildings were destroyed, the school was never built. The Berkshire assisted living and retirement community now occupies the land.
The Queen Anne Cottage at 2246 Spaulding Avenue (pictured above), one of the buildings destroyed, was occupied by the family of Elizabeth and Joseph Fox (relatives of Carl Fox of the Fox Brothers Construction Company). The tall palm trees at Bancroft and Spaulding were not destroyed.