Creation of Claremont

Duncan McDuffie built the Claremont subdivison in 1905 using Frederick Law Olmstead's philosophy of urban design for undeveloped land. (His own house was constructed at 156 Tunnel Road, Claremont, Berkeley, CA) His ideas centered around the inclusion of the landscape’s natural features, which are reflected in the layout of the streets, retaining walls, tree plantings, and other public amenities. Homes were built between 1905 and 1930 around Temescal Creek’s meandering path. T

his neighborhood was, like many other upstream communities, restricted for sale to white people only. Redlining and redistricting have been serious issues in the development of the East Bay, resulting in low-income people of color having less access to wild places. Claremont was specifically designated as an area where no "Negroes, Chinese or Japanese" could buy or rent homes. Banks also labeled other low-income areas as too high of a lending risk.

Today, even in preparing this tour, an African American intern was followed and he and his license plate photographed while walking this neighborhood to gather tour information. Racism remains active in Oakland along property lines. As of 2020, 83% of housing in the city remains single-family, but there is a renewed effort to diversify options for home-owning.