Visit the site of Arbor Villa, Francis Marion “Borax” Smith’s palatial estate. Smith founded an international industry (“20-Mule Team Borax”), established the Key Route System, and became one of Oakland’s most famous, colorful entrepreneurs. The tour visits the site of Oak Hall, the 9th Avenue palm trees, the Mary R. Smith cottages, and other historic houses, including ones designed by Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan. A 2-mile, hilly walk.
Phil Bellman shared “The Life and Legacy of F. M. Borax Smith” richly illustrated in a Zoom presentation on May 21, 2021 that shares illuminating background material: https://www.oaklandheritage.org/events/4frjcimft7qsk1qtz15trh7ujjawoe
Tour Leader: Phil Bellman
Meet: Redwood tree, corner of 1105 McKinley Ave. at Home Place East (1 block off Park Boulevard)
Bio: Phil Bellman is a longtime East Oakland resident with interests in history, architecture and historic preservation. He served as an early member of the OHA Board of Directors and edited the OHA News for several years. He has led tours relating to Borax Smith both in Oakland and the Nevada desert for many years. Now retired, Phil worked with Kaiser Permanente in the field of medical education.
NOTES:
• PLEASE MEET 15 MINUTES BEFORE listed time to allow for registration.
• Comfortable walking shoes, sun hats and sunscreen are recommended. Bring water.
• Vouchers, limited-income accommodation, and any other special circumstances will be handled onsite at the starting point on the day of the walking tour. Check your email the morning of the walking tour for any last-minute changes, clarifications, or cancellation.
• Due to the ongoing presence of Covid, we will continue to make masks available. If you feel ill the day of a tour, please stay home. If after a tour, you become ill and test positive, please let us know as soon as possible. Thank you.
• Please visit our website www.oaklandheritage.org for profiles of tour leaders. We are grateful for their skill and generosity.
• These tours support Oakland Heritage Alliance, a non-profit that tells Oakland’s story through walking tours, lectures, newsletters and advocacy. We welcome volunteers and new members!
• THESE TOURS ARE BASED IN PART on the research of the Oakland Cultural Heritage Survey, a project of the City of Oakland Strategic Planning Division, and the resources of the Oakland History Center, 2nd floor, Oakland Main Library.