Oakland Tribune - Sun - May 2, 1943:

​

An Early Telephone
From Evelyn Craig Pattiani, who is collecting historic data connected with "The Saga of Piedmont Hills," I have received a document which will have real interest for all Oakland old-timers. This account, dated November 8, 1927, was given Mrs. Pattiani by Mrs. John L. Russell (Amy Requa): "Isaac Requa was the first resident of Piedmont to have the telephone installed in his home, and every now and then we hear of a little incident in connection with these first days of telephone services. One in particular, says an old friend, tells how Isaac always felt insulted if central asked him for a number. Mr. Requa had a friend residing at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco with whom he held a telephone conversation every evening, providing the line from the Requa home to the Oakland central office was in working condition. This line was line was originally part of a telegraph circuit built by the Government.

Why it was constructed or where it led is not known; running eastward from Oakland, was lost to sight over the hills, Part of this circuit was converted into a four-partyline connecting the Requa and Booth homes and the original Piedmont Springs Hotel to the Oakland exchange. The line was used for demonstration purposes in the days when telephone conversation between Oakland and San Francisco was considered a remarkable achievement. Friends would congregate at the Requa home to witness and marvel at the nightly performance, or now and then take part in it. However, these gatherings were often disappointing, for the line was out of order almost as many times as it was in good order. The trouble persisted where the wires crossed Lake Merritt. Whenever brisk wind sprang up the line would beak, In this event men were sent out in rowboats to fish the wires out of the water, splice them together, and raise the mended line into position by means of a block and tackle. Incidents of this nature occurred so frequently on the Requa line as to make repairs and trouble matters of routine, thus detracting from the novelty of telephone communication as time went on.

Listening In
The telephone line referred to in the above." says Mrs. Pattiani, "extended to Walnut Creek, With the Piedmont Springs Hotel as an intermediary between there and Oakland and San Francisco. This data is authoritative. Anything further would be appreciated. Those early residents who were not connected with the Requa line made use of the public one at the hotel. Those families were four-the Walter Bates, Bowmans Craigs, Gambles and Wings. This was in the late '70's and early '80's.

On a New Year's Day, as near as memory recalls it was 1886, this rather famous springs resort - (the springs were sulphur, both pink and white) was razed to ashes. The fire occurred in the early afternoon and the Craig 'rockaway' had taken the family to Linden Street for dinner with relatives. Later as our 'sorrel' was slowly pulling us up the Moraga grade, there suddenly appeared around a curve an Oakland fire engine with its splendid team of dapple grays completely fagged and spent. Of course there was a halt and much consternation at the news.

The horses had been forced at their best speed over and up the four and, one-half miles, only to find that no water was available when they reached the already doomed hotel. The disappointment at missing such excitement was keenly saddening to brother Roy and me. But our father was rather relieved that the troublesome bar-saloon, which had become a matter of concern to the neighbors, was now eliminated. From that date my father was always alert to see that no other such place could ever get a hold in that home community. It was quite a few years later that the 'A Mon Chateau had its fame down in Pleasant Valley--near to Oakland Avenue- but it was 'over the border line' and not in Piedmont. To this resort a telephone line was fun, and by helping the company, by some private subsidies, it was continued up the hill to Vernal Avenue, now known as Highland Avenue. From there private poles had to be placed to the various homes. Then is when we had our first telephone, and it was on the same line with this ‘A Mon Chateau.' Residing there, on the upper floors, was the rather colorful person, Lady Yarde Buller. For mischievous children to listen on the line was a pastime very entertaining and quite forbidden by our parents. But this gay place' had a tenure of life for only a few years."