“Nut Hill” and the Aftermath of the 1923 Berkeley Fire

Description:

The odd assemblage of creative characters who moved into the upper reaches of Buena Vista Way in the early 1900s—frequently building their homes on land purchased years earlier by Bernard and Annie Maybeck—led to the area being dubbed “Nut Hill.” This walking tour focuses on the homes of the unconventional people and university figures who settled in the La Loma Park and Wheeler tracts before and after the 1923 Berkeley Fire.

We’ll see a number of Maybeck-designed houses, as well as notable architecture along Greenwood Terrace, Greenwood Common, and Rose Walk. Along the way, tour goers will gain intimate access to a number of important homes and gardens, offering a rare opportunity to see many of them up close—some from inside. The tour will conclude in Maybeck’s 1907 masterpiece, the Senger House, with a small reception.

Led by Daniella Thompson, a long-time club member and expert in Berkeley’s history and built environment, this tour presents a rare chance to learn about the area’s evolution and will be especially valued by lovers of local architecture and history.

The tour will run approximately 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Final location details to be shared closer to the tour date.

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Image courtesy Daniella Thompson

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Host or Publisher Berkeley Historic Building Fund