Eden Dale

Standing at the corner of Fruitvale Ave. and Bona Street, envision a scene with palm-like trees, Yuccas, and a hedge marking the boundaries of Edandale. You've just imagined the Tilman family estate from 1892-1900. The estate's 12 acres spanned along Fruitvale Ave. between Brookdale Ave. and East 27th Street, and renowned gardener Henry Maier meticulously maintained the gardens. Frederick Tillman founded Tillman & Bendel’s Wholesale Grocery in 1857, building wealth by supplying gold rushers with tools and resources.

During the Gold Rush, those supplying the miners with supplies and lodging could sometimes make more money than the miners themselves! As with many other industries during the time period, White business owners faced less prejudice and had more opportunities to grow their wealth than people of color and immigrants. Wealthy White-owned estates lined Sausal Creek during the 1800s, providing retreats from city life and inheritance assets for their relatives. A fire destroyed the Tillman residence in 1900, but some of the Tillman Family still resides in the Bay Area.