BEGINNING
THE SECOND GOLD RUSH Oakland and the East Bay in World War II by Marilynn S. Johnson states, in part, ...
"...Albert Bernhardt and the Stoneon Brothers developed an even larger subdivision in East Oakland. Containing more than twelve hundred homes, Brookfield Village hearkened back to the garden suburbs of the early twentieth century. Located in the flatlands near the San Leandro border, the development featured winding, contoured streets lined with shade trees. Its creators advertised it as "a model village on the Pacific Coast," imitating more expensive subdivisions. Homes sold for four thousand dollars each (well below prices in most East Bay neighborhoods) and attracted large numbers of Moore and Kaiser workers..."
RACIST HISTORY
When the properties were conveyed in 1942, they included some restrictions, still on the books, so had to be disclosed as recently as 1995. Here's some of the text:
RESTRICTIONS AND RESERVATIONS FOR "TRACT 651" IN THE CITY OF OAKLAND COUNTY OF ALAMEDA STATE OF CALIFORNIA...WHEREAS...the owners of a certain tract of land in the city of Oakland, County of Alameda, State of California, which is further described by a Map entitled "Tract Number 651"...NOW, THEREFORE...said Lots or parcels of land shall be...subject to the following conditions, restrictions, limitations and uses, viz:...6. Neither the lands and premises within said area, nor the buildings thereon shall be used or occupied by any person or persons not of the Caucasian Race; provided, however, that nothing in this restriction or limitation contained shall prevent use or occupancy by domestic or other servants not of the Caucasian Race employed by an owner or tenant who is of that race.
WHITE FLIGHT
By the late 1960's, there were nearly no Caucasian residents in Brookfield Village. Most of the businesses were owned and run by people of color (African American and Asian), including a medical office with African American doctors.
