435 Hazel Brake
Lots 30 and 31
“The McAllister House”
Built in 1905
Currently owned by Paul Petricevich
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In 1905, Clinton and Clara McAllister built their cabin at 435 Hazel Brake. The McAllisters were contractors who had homes in Oakland, Pasadena, and New York. They were married October 3rd, 1905.
They were among the founders and financiers of Bracken Brae. Their cabin was one of the first three built in the first summer home subdivision in Boulder Creek. Without the men and women who built Bracken Brae, including the McAllisters, the San Lorenzo Valley as we know it may never have existed.
The building of this cabin was clearly announced in the Santa Cruz Sentinel in March of 1905. It is possible that the cabin was a wedding gift to Clara but who knows. Their ownership of the cabin only lasted until 1909 and it has passed through many hands since then.
In 1904, Lot 31 is sold to Clinton P. McAllister. In 1905, he builds his cottage on it.
The McAllisters purchased the lot in 1904. The McAllisters and the Rowes (445 Hazel Brake) were the first people to purchase lots in Bracken Brae.
Clinton McAllister has arrived from one his houses in Pasadena, San Francisco or New York. He had recently been married to his wife Clara. The McAllisters were wealthy contractors as were many of the original residents of Bracken Brae.
The announcement that Clinton McAllister is building his cabin. Dr. S. J. Fenton was the builder of 300 Wooded Way. Purcell Rowe was the builder of 445 Hazel Brake.
The McAllisters are visiting their cabin in Bracken Brae just two weeks before much of San Francisco would burn down in the 1906 earthquake.
The first directors of Bracken Brae are C. A. Johnson (I think this is an error and should be C. A. Westenberg of 421 Hazel Brake), Edgar Bishop (owner of the lot at 511 Hazel Brake), Archie Kerr (of 530 Hazel Brake), Clinton McAllister (of 435 Hazel Brake), and Purcell Rowe (of 445 Hazel Brake)
The McAllister’s sell their cabin.
The McAllisters are having a house built in Pasadena.
In 1909, the cabin is sold to B. E Sherwin
After 4 years of ownership, the cabin is sold to Laura Abbot, owner of the Boston Dry Goods Company in Pasadena. Her husband has recently passed away.
B. E. Sherwin only holds onto it for a short time and sells it to Laura B. Abbott
Laura Abbot loses the cabin to foreclosure.
Laura loses the cabin.
The cabin is sold by the lienholder to Emma Disbrow
Charles Westenberg (of 421 Hazel Brake) was trustee of Bracken Brae and handled many of the real estate transactions.
At some point the cabin is sold to Eva Smith, who in 1925 sells it to Lillian Griffins.
Lillian Griffins turns over the cabin in three months, to Mabel Ducket and her sister Clarisse.
Clarisse and Mabel were teachers in the Geyserville area.
Vacationing at Bracken Brae
Clarisse purchases the adjoining lot.
Clarisse has passed away and the cabin is place on the market once again.