In the mid-1960s, Appletree took root as a small but vibrant piece of Dublin’s suburban tapestry. Developed by the prolific American Housing Guild, the neighborhood was part of a broader dream: bringing thoughtfully designed, character-rich homes to the rising Tri-Valley.
Between 1965 and 1968, 161 homes were built—each one a modest monument to a changing way of life. With six unique models, ranging from 3 to 5 bedrooms, Appletree offered a little something for everyone: clean lines, playful architecture, and just enough room to grow.
Before the “Appletree” name ever graced a map, the neighborhood cycled through a few identities. It was almost called California Home Show, a name that suggested something more temporary than timeless. At the last minute, the builder settled on Redwing Valley, and under that name the model complex opened on July 4, 1965—a fitting date for a suburban independence day.
At the time, the broader area was still known as San Ramon Village, and it wasn’t until 1967, as the town itself shifted toward being known as Dublin, that the neighborhood got its final name: Appletree.
However, much of that original identity has been lost, as the area is now commonly referred to as "Echo Park"—a misinterpretation of the neighboring community's name, Ecco Park.
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| From a 1967 Oakland Tribune ad—"room to grow later,” they said. The expandable house promised room to grow—just add drywall, a second bath... maybe a contractor. The potential? Staggering. The reality? Depends how handy you are. |
Where Appletree is located in Dublin
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| Annotated aerial map of the Appletree neighborhood in Dublin, California. Now considered Ecco Park. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Selling the subdivision
Marketing for Redwing Valley was often vague, relying more on ambiance than on specifics. Ads promised “beauty and charm,” but left out the part about the wall of windows or Monterey-style balconies. Prospective buyers had to see the homes in person to understand just how unique they really were.
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| From an October 1965 Oakland Tribune—before it was known as Appletree, it was known as Redwing Valley. The ad says the homes are beautiful, but you'd have to see for yourself. |
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| From a 1966 Oakland Tribune—the living room inside the New Pacific model, where the martinis are dry, the ceilings are high, and every lamp has a twin. |
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| From a 1967 Oakland Tribune—the unfinished second story of the Room Maker model. A dark place for mother and her antique sewing machine. Is it luxury... or punishment. You decide. |
Legacy of Appletree
By 1968, Appletree was fully built out. Though modest in size, the neighborhood became one of Dublin’s most memorable enclaves, offering homes with enough personality to withstand the decades—and the remodels.
Today, Appletree remains a sought-after neighborhood. You’ll find additions, paint changes, and solar panels—but underneath it all, the original homes are still standing proud. Still modern. Still optimistic. Still whispering a promise of space, light, and possibility.
Exploring the original Appletree today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Appletree model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of American Housing Guild's vision for suburban living in 1965.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Appletree's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
The original prices
- 1965: $19,950 - $23,950
- 1966 (Unit 2): $19,950 - $24,450
- 1966: $20,450 - $24,950
- 1967: $20,950 - $24,950
- 1968: $21,950 - $24,950
The original model home complex
Appletree's five original model homes were arranged on Tyne Court around a temporary sales complex that welcomed prospective buyers during the neighborhood's grand opening in 1965. While the sales office disappeared long ago, the model homes remain, allowing visitors to trace the neighborhood's beginnings more than fifty years later.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Appletree model home complex on Tyne Court. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The original model homes
1. The Spanish Hacienda - 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,848 or 1,867 sq. ft.
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| Original Spanish Hacienda model today via Google Street View. |
2. The New Pacifica - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,590 or 1,638 sq. ft.
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| Original New Pacifica model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Old San Francisco - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,437 sq. ft.
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| Original Old San Francisco model today (with second-story extension) via Google Street View. |
4. The California Ranch - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,276 to 1,491 sq. ft.
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| Original California Ranch model today (expanded in front) via Google Street View. |
5. The Room Maker - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,629+ sq. ft. New for 1967. A flexible home for forward thinkers. It came with a simple idea—an unfinished upstairs that could become anything. Its very presence hinted at a growing desire for flexibility in home life.
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| Original Room Maker model today via Google Street View. |
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