535 Burnside Bend
Lots 48, 49, and 50
“The Smith House”
Built in 1941
Currently owned by Myrna McCaleb
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In 1936, lots 48, 49, and 50 were purchased by Marjorie Handy. She held onto the lots for a couple of years but sold them after getting married. The Charles Smith family bought the lots in late 1940 and built the house in 1941.
The house was built by the S. J. Dowling company, ‘Builder of Artistic Homes’. Sydney Dowling, a custom home builder, owned the house at 1525 Hillside Drive. He also built the Smith’s family home at 3025 Thompson Avenue in Alameda. The two were friends and likely worked together since Charles ran a plumbing business.
Shortly after starting work on the home, Sydney and Charles were in a car accident when their vehicle struck a Key System train (predecessor to BART I think) at a high rate of speed. Sydney was driving and walked away with minor scrapes and bruises, but Charles received a concussion, a broken back and several ribs, and contusions to his jaw. He was in the hospital for months and sued the Key System for over $26,000.
In 1953, the Smith family had owned the house for 12 years at which time it was sold to Eula Burnham. In 1952, Eula’s husband, Dr. Clark Burnham had passed away leaving her the substantial sum of nearly $310,000. She also owned a vacation home in Tahoe as well as her mansion in Piedmont.
In 1956, Eula Burnham was the only one in Bracken Brae to have a phone. By the time Eula called the Boulder Creek Fire Department to report the Fisher house at 450 Hazel Brake was on fire, it was too late and the house was a total loss.
I think everyone will agree that it is one of the prettiest houses in Bracken Brae. It is unknown how long she owned the house.
In 1936, lots 48, 49, and 50 are purchased by Miss Handy.
In 1940, the lots are sold to Charles E. Smith, who builds his house upon them.
Charles Smith is the passenger of Sydney Dowling – the owner of 1525 Hillside Drive. Charles and Sydney likely had a business relationship as Charles owned a plumbing company and Sydney owned a company that built custom homes.
In 1953, the Burnham family purchases the house.
In 1952 Mr. Clark J. Burnham passes away and leaves Eula Burnham a sizable fortune. She buys the house a year later.
The house at 450 Hazel Brake is burned to the ground. Mrs. Burnham calls the Boulder Creek Fire Department to report it from the only phone in Bracken Brae.