Wednesday Walkers discover that “Nace is Nice!”
The summary below by Ken H of last week’s that was led by Pat K. I got back this afternoon from our trip.
I know Pat’s walk was fun and I appreciate Ken, who was subbing for me and Lori A, writing the summary. Attached are the group photo taken on Nace Avenue and the route map.
Thanks again, Pat and Ken!
Best,
Dick
Wednesday Walkers discover that “Nace is Nice!”
By Ken H
Braving another warm day on September 30th, the last day of the month, 50 members of the Piedmont Recreation Department’s Walking on Wednesdays group and five of their canine companions gathered at the Exedra excited to see if Nace Avenue really is nice.
Leading our walk and tour was Pat K, a long-time Piedmont resident and Wednesday walker. Having lived on Nace Avenue for years, Pat was well qualified to relate the history of the area and provide information about some of the homes.
We began the walk heading in the direction of Dracena Park. As we walked through the park on our way to Nace, Park Commissioner Jack F noted that there are now four great horned owls in residence.
Nace is a tiny street with 27 houses. One unusual feature of Nace is that it’s L-shaped, making a 90 degree turn toward the middle. The street was named after Frank C. Haven’s secretary, John Nace. At the time, it was common to name streets after the people who were involved in developing the city. Nace is now a popular street for young families, with approximately 28 kids on the it.
The first house we visited was 22 Nace. It was built in 1906 for $2,820. We were fortunate enough to encounter one of the owners, KT, who graciously invited us to come into her magnificent backyard. It’s a breathtaking and fun little surprise when you enter the rear. The first thing you notice is the immensity of the outdoor living space with beautiful views of Piedmont. In addition there was a hot tub surrounded by redwood decking, a wooden, round-shaped sauna with a cold plunge adjacent, and an outdoor shower. To top things off, an inviting outdoor cabana with sofas tempted some of the walkers to sit and relax.
We stopped briefly and viewed the house at 42 Nace which has an uncommon flat roof. Pat explained to the group that a fire in the 1950s destroyed the original pitched roof which was then replaced by the flat roof.
Next we visited 46 Nace, the present residence of Dave and Kathy Y. Known as the “Gibson house”, it was built in 1910 by the Fenton family of ice cream fame. The original house had lath and plaster walls and the beams were first generation old-growth redwood.
The Smith family moved in around 1912 and the home remained in the family until 1991 {79 years!). It is reported that they planted the large Catalpa tree out front, which is now a Piedmont Heritage Tree. However, a neighbor, Mrs. G, claimed to have grown up at 46 Nace and her father planted the tree. The Smiths had four girls: Winnifred, Hazel, Barbara, and one whose name has been forgotten. When the elder Smiths passed away, Winnifred inherited the house because she was the oldest sister. Winnifred married Orrin Smith sometime between 1940 and 1950. They had no children, but all of the family celebrations were held at the house. Orrin was a wood shop teacher at McClymonds High School in Oakland and had a great workshop in the basement. The shelves and drawers for storing hardware were built by his students as a shop project.
Orrin and Winnifred remodeled the house extensively both inside and outside, excavating a basement and using the surplus soil to level the backyard. Next, they dug out the front and built a garage. In 1976, Winnifred started the “Nace is Nice” block party to celebrate the 4th of July. The current owner Kathy inherited the block party tradition and revived it in the 1990s.
When Winnifred passed away, her younger sister Barbara became the executor of the estate. Barbara was the mother of one of Kathy Y’s best friends. At the time, Kathy and her husband Dave were looking for a home to buy since their daughter Amy was about to begin kindergarten. Fortunately for Dave and Kathy, Barbara agreed to sell the house in time for Amy’s schooling.
Since moving in, Dave and Kathy have extensively remodeled the house: adding a deck to the back, building a second story, re-shingling, constructing interior stairs to the basement, and assembling a new roof for the garage. In 2021, the house received the Design Award in the Excellence in Architecturally Consistent Design Category from the City. The added garage was the winner of the City’s Excellence in Integrated Garage Design in 2024. Dave provided the group with ink on linen drawings of the original house plans, as well as two photo albums of the 1950 remodel.
We ended our tour at 35 Nace, the home of Greg and Pat K. Walkers were directed into a lushly landscaped backyard. Beneath a slatted roof arbor, a table of ice cold water, chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake were waiting. Enough sustenance to fuel the walkers on their uphill hike back to their Exedra start.
In conclusion, the walkers confirmed, Nace is really nice!!!
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