Middle-Aged Eichler Neighborhoods Are Ready to Party

Eichler neighborhoods built in the '50s and '60s are reaching late middle age. If they were people, some would be thinking hard about retirement and sending their kids to college. And they would be busy making plans for their own 50^th birthday parties.

Really, though, they are people. They're the people who live in the houses Eichler built, and they are partying with a vengeance. Earlier this year we reported on a 50^th anniversary bash at the Laguna Heights development, in San Francisco, where long-term residents and new transplants continue to create a thriving inner-city village.

Many communities host regular events, such as San Mateo Highlands' 4^th of July parade and celebration, and Fairglen's block party in San Jose. But the 50^th anniversaries are giving many others an excuse to kick their shoes off and celebrate.

In the coming weeks, two more neighborhoods will be celebrating their half-century marks. Lucas Valley, in Marin County, has been celebrating its 50^th anniversary since last year, when it hosted a screening of the Eichler video documentary People in Glass Houses. That recognition will crescendo on Aug. 24 with a cocktail party for residents. Artwork by Michael Murphy will grace the walls of the neighborhood's community hall. And while party attendance is by invitation, the public is welcome to stop by and view the artwork after Aug. 20, according to the neighborhood newsletter.

In Santa Clara, the Pomeroy West community plans a 50^th anniversary celebration on Labor Day, Sept. 2. As a permanent reminder of their community's longevity, they'll be unveiling a monument identifying the neighborhood as a historic Eichler development, organizer Lisa Flosznik told the Eichler Network via email. The final design and specifications for the monument have yet to be ratified, but the image at left gives an idea of what the concrete-and-steel sign will eventually look like.

Surely many more neighborhoods have recently marked their 50^th or 60^th anniversaries, or will be doing so soon. We'd definitely be interested to hear people's plans or accounts of recent celebrations. Write me at [email protected] and perhaps there will be a future post featuring even more half-century birthdays of mid-century homes.

In the meantime, here's wishing a happy 50^th to Laguna Heights, Pomeroy West, and Lucas Valley.

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