How a WWII airfield became Livermore’s Town Square & Somerset neighborhoods
Discover the transformation of Livermore’s WWII naval airfield into the thriving Town Square and Somerset neighborhoods. Learn how developer H.C. Elliott turned an abandoned airstrip into a vibrant community that shaped Livermore’s growth.
A lost airport, rediscovered
It’s hard to believe now, but before Livermore’s modern airport became one of the busiest municipal airfields in the country, there was another, lesser-known airport. Tucked away on Rincon Avenue during World War II, this dirt-runway auxiliary field was built by the Navy as a backup to a larger airfield—now the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. It had none of the glamour or utility of its counterpart and, by the late 1940s, had been all but forgotten. What could possibly become of an abandoned airstrip surrounded by growing neighborhoods? As it turns out: a thriving village.
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| Historical map of Livermore in 1953 with the naval air field and sewage disposal sites. |
From airfield to awkward neighbor
By the late 1950s, Livermore was growing. The sleepy auxiliary airfield on Rincon Avenue, now the city's municipal airport, sat in the midst of new homes and families. Next door, a sewage disposal facility added to the area’s challenges. The city quickly realized something had to give—both the airfield and the sewage plant needed to move to make way for the burgeoning community.
The relocation plan wasn’t simple. While the sewage facility found a new home by 1960, finding a site for the airport took longer. The city decided to sell the old sites to fund the move. After some initial hurdles, Santa Barbara developer H.C. Elliott saw potential in the 304-acre property. In December 1963, he stepped in with a bold vision to transform it. He bought the first 134-acres for $165,000 in cash, and committed to buy the remainder within two years.
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| Pictured here in 1968, developer H. C. Elliott played a major role in shaping north Livermore. His vision and commitment to affordable housing led to the creation of Town Square, Somerset, and Somerset West—neighborhoods that transformed a former airfield into vibrant communities. |
A new beginning for Livermore
With funds from the sale, Livermore bought a historic property—the Hagemann Ranch—and began construction on a modern airport. By late 1965, the city had not only a brand-new airfield but also a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant, solving two critical issues in one swoop. Meanwhile, Elliott got to work transforming the old airfield into something entirely different.
A village takes shape
Elliott had big plans for the land he acquired. Teaming up with Livingston & Blayney, a San Francisco design firm, he envisioned a master-planned community called Town Square. It was to be a place where families could afford to settle, complete with schools, parks, and shopping areas. By grand opening on June 21, 1964, the first homes were ready, and priced attractively between $14,950 and $21,950—just a little easier on the wallet than nearby neighborhoods. With its convenient location near the highway, Town Square quickly became a hit.
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| H.C. Elliott’s vision comes to life with the debut of Town Square in Livermore. With homes starting under $15,000, the neighborhood promised affordable living, modern design, and room to grow. |
By the end of 1967, all 412 homes in the Town Square neighborhood were complete. Murrieta Boulevard was on its way to bypass downtown, and Jack London Boulevard stretched to the new airport. With success in an era of tight money-lending, H. C. Elliott embarked on the next phase of development in the old airport.
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| This 1967 map shows Town Square fully built out, with northern expansion underway. Key new roadways like Jack London Boulevard and the bypass for Murrieta Boulevard are taking shape, setting the stage for future neighborhoods like Somerset and Somerset West. |
A fresh start in 1968, Somerset
With a new parcel of land opened for development, Elliott opened a new line of "smart" homes in May of 1968. Set in the neighborhood dubbed Town Square North, the most notable home was the stunning Somerset House. A flexible home that could grow as your family grew. It came with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and an unfinished second story. Later, you could finish the second level with 2 more bedrooms and an additional bathroom.
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| This 1968 ad introduced the Somerset House, a flexible home design by H.C. Elliott. Starting with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, it offered an unfinished second story that could later be completed with two more bedrooms and an additional bathroom—perfect for growing families and changing needs. |
This home made such a name for itself that the neighborhood would be called Somerset. In the first 60 days after opening, Elliott sold 90 homes. In 1968 and 1969, 1/3 of all new homes in Livermore were being built by Elliott.
Although Somerset was slated to be complete by the end of 1970, Elliott had an opportunity to purchase land just south of Town Square. A neighborhood south of East Jack London Boulevard was rapidly building out with Kaufman & Broad's Green Meadows and Jim Knuppe's Garden Homes. However, Jim Knuppe decided not finish out his subdivision and in November 1970, he sold Elliott 135 lots, some in between his own homes. Located on both sides of Murrieta, Elliott called the neighborhood Somerset South.
By April 1971, all 474 homes in Somerset and Somerset South were sold out. Remarkably, the starting home price never exceeded $20,000 across four years of building. But Elliott wasn’t finished. He went on to open the Somerset West neighborhood.
A last hurrah, Somerset West
In May 1972, H. C. Elliott opened the 90-acre Somerset West neighborhood for development. Between 1972 and 1974, H. C. Elliott built 279 homes in Somerset West. The first 3 units of 186 homes came from the earlier Somerset series, and the final 2 units came from a new model home complex opened in September 1973.
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| The final chapter of H.C. Elliott’s Somerset trilogy opens with Somerset West, a 90-acre neighborhood offering spacious homes and a fresh model lineup. Built between 1972 and 1974, this community brought 279 new homes to north Livermore. |
From runways to roots
Elliott’s vision wasn’t just about building houses—it was about creating communities. His work transformed a forgotten airfield into vibrant neighborhoods that 1,400 families now call home. Today, Town Square, Somerset, and Somerset West remain an integral part of Livermore’s history, a testament to the city’s evolution from wartime necessity to a thriving suburban hub.
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| Location of the Town Square, Somerset, and Somerset West neighborhoods in Livermore, California. |
If I had to describe H. C. Elliott, I would say his core value was building affordable homes that people desired. Painstakingly consumed with rising prices, he would say "we build homes to please 2 age groups--under 30 and over 30." This inclusive practice of building economically diverse neighborhoods allowed more people to become homeowners in the same place, and required a lot of chutzpah. However, as Livermore grew rapidly, concerns over infrastructure and preserving the town’s rural character led to increased building restrictions and fees on new developments. Unwavering on his core value, Elliott eventually decided to leave Livermore.
Somerset West sold out in late 1974 and concluded 12 years developing north Livermore. Elliott’s developments, along with Sunset Homes, doubled the town’s size and provided housing for thousands of families. It’s remarkable to think how a patch of dirt used to launch planes could end up being the foundation for so many lives. Sometimes, the most unexpected places hold the greatest potential for growth.
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