530 Hazel Brake
Lots 9 and 10
“The Kerr House”
Built in 1905
Currently owned by Matt Dunstan
Click to enlarge
In 1905, The house at 530 Hazel Brake was built by Archie Kerr and stayed in the family for 3 generations until it was sold in 1965. Archie was an insurance broker in Oakland having been in the business since 1871. His wife, Hannah, passed away in 1897. They had 3 children named Kenneth (Archie), Mary, and Louise.
The story of the Kerr’s cabin also includes Mr. Guy Gould, who was a trustee and active member of Bracken Brae. Guy was married to Louise Kerr who became Louise Gould. Guy was the superintendent of general delivery at the post office in Oakland. This was one of the highest positions in the post office.
The cabin was transferred in Louise’s name in 1911 after her father died but the cabin was left to all three children, eventually ending up with Kenneth’s daughter Mary. It stayed in the Kerr family until 1965 when it was sold to Elsie and Dr. Everett Hartwell from Quincy, Ca.
In 1905, Archie F Kerr built his cabin.
Although lot 9 was not transferred until 1908, there is sufficient evidence to assume that the house was built in 1905.
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)
Archie Kerr Sr. business in Oakland
Archie inadvertently catches his barn on fire while looking for a litter of kittens.
Archie Kerr Sr. wife Hannah has died. He never remarries.
Both Archie and his son Kenneth sign a petition to evict E. W. Woodward from the building they do business in. E. W. Woodward was a city councilman and was found to have taken a $10,000 (about $300k today) bribe to vote to increase water rates by a huge percentage. He was so hated in the city of Oakland that he was chased away by a large mob of people.
E. W Woodward and his corrupt friends.
Archie Kerr Sr. is one of the founders of an oil company along with other Bracken Brae founders Edgar Bishop (511 Hazel Brake) and William Todd (450 Hazel Brake).
Guy Gould married Archie’s daughter Mary and was a frequent visitor to Bracken Brae.
Guy Gould was the superintendent of general delivery for the post office in Oakland, one of the highest positions available.
Archie Kerr Jr marries Sarah Van Larue
Wedding announcement for Sarah and Archie Jr. The Larue family was one of the families that settled East Oakland.
Kenneth is in the insurance business just like his father.
Archie receives a citation for being a member of the Athenian Nile Club for 50 years.
Archie Kerr at 77
Archie Sr. transfers the cabin into Louise Gould’s name but would eventually be transferred to Archie Jr. whose daughter inherited it.
Mary Kerr purchases lot 10.
Their house at 646 Haddon Road has been replaced by the 580 freeway.
Mary Kerr is going on a two month pleasure cruise
In World War II it was used as a hospital ship
Sarah Kerr passes away
Louise Gould passes away
Kenneth (Archie Jr.) Kerr passes away.