When I first started my research into the architecture of William Raymond Yelland. I remember getting the archive collection listing of properties designed by W. R. Yelland. One thing stands out right away is that a large number of homes in the archives at UC Berkeley that are located in Clarksburg.
I remember googling the map of Clarksburg and seeing the street map of the town and knowing that nine archived buildings are located in this one area.
It's a great place to start your research into understanding this architect. I traveled from San Leandro to Clarksburg, turned off of South River Road onto Netherlands Avenue. It was like being back home in my "The Broadmoor" neighborhood in San Leandro.
The Clarksburg Community Church is the first building you see. It is classic William Raymond Yelland with it's checkerboard brick and stucco gables, conjoined double gables, catslide roof and brick around the main chapel doors. It's a down-right gorgeous building http://www.clarksburgcc.org/
Then the other big building in town the Amalgated Sugar Company building with it's six or so story tall Willy Wonka style factory buildings. This building is being redone as the Old Sugar Mill and Galeria Do Vinho http://www.oldsugarmill.com/ Future plans include artist studios, galleries, a Cafe, Bistro and Micro Brewery.
That trip to Clarksburg started a many year long obsession that I like to call Yellanding explorations. That is, going to the towns where the archived houses are located and searching out the homes and businesses designed by this fun and quirky architect.
Contact me for a history driving tour --- so much fun.
