Barkley Square wasn’t just another subdivision in Dublin—it was part of a bold vision for a new kind of suburban life. In 1964, Volk-McLain set out to redefine what “home” could mean for middle-class families. With prices starting at $16,996, these homes were accessible, modern, and designed for a generation ready to move up.
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| 1964 Oakland Tribune ad—after nearly four years of building the same five floor plans, Volk-McLain thought it'd try new mid-market homes. |
Where Barkley Square is located in Dublin
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| Annotated aerial map of the Barkley Square neighborhood in Dublin, California. Base imagery from Google Maps. |
When the Cold War came to the suburbs
Barkley Square wasn’t just about homes; it was about ideas. In one of the most unusual marketing stunts of the time, Volk-McLain built a replica of a Soviet-style home right in the middle of their sales complex. The small, utilitarian house was meant to show buyers how good they had it in America—or rather, how good they could have it in Barkley Square.
Imagine walking through a cramped replica of a Cold War apartment, only to step into one of Barkley Square’s models, complete with sunken living rooms and sleek Philippine Mahogany cabinetry. The contrast wasn’t subtle, but it worked.
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| 1964 Oakland Tribune ad—sure, your house only has one bathroom—but at least it’s not a Cold War cottage with a wood stove and a shared goat. 1966 reminded us: it could always be worse. |
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| 1964 San Francisco Chronicle newspaper clipping—a dreary Soviet home replica was dropped into the middle of a shiny new suburbia—just to remind you how lucky you were to have your own bedroom. |
Selling the subdivision
These homes weren’t just selling comfort; they were selling a vision of the future. They promised more of everything—more space, more style, and more freedom to customize your life. The homes offered something for everyone. Need a home office? Convert a bedroom. Want a cozy den? There’s a plan for that, too.
For those seeking something even bigger, the New Englander model came with 1,610 square feet of possibilities, including a convertible bedroom and an oversized garage. It was suburban living with just a bit of flair.
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| May 1964 newspaper clipping—the New Englander elevation and floor plan |
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| From a 1964 San Francisco Chronicle—ornate room dividers. it ain't Russia, it's decadent San Ramon Village. |
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| An artist's rendering of the Bridgeport from March 1964. |
A sudden exit leaves an incomplete dream
Yet Barkley Square’s story isn’t all polished brochures and open-house dreams. Volk-McLain, known for its ambitious developments, quickly ran into challenges. In the original plan, Barkley Square was to fill in all the land around Frederiksen Elementary with 600 homes. However, by 1965, they decided to pull out of the area entirely, leaving behind unsold lots and unfulfilled plans.
Just a year before Volk-McLain's exit from Barkley Square, they sold off eights lots across from the model complex, and one lot in between models 6 and 7. Purchased by a local reality company, nine homes were built and unique compared to Volk-McLain's homes. While the neighborhood reached completion, it did so without the grand flourish originally envisioned.
Legacy of Barkley Square
Today, Barkley Square is a blend of its mid-century roots and decades of homeowner updates. Drive through the neighborhood, and you’ll see the charm of 1960s architecture alongside the personality of modern touches.
It’s a reminder of a time when optimism fueled big ideas—and sometimes, a little showmanship (and a Soviet house) helped sell the dream.
Exploring the original Barkley Square today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Barkley Square model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of Volk-McLain's vision for suburban living in 1964.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Barkley Square's earliest days. The guide below documents the original model home complex, the homes themselves, and how they appear today.
The original prices
- 1964: $16,995 +
- 1965: $16,995 +
The original model home complex
Originally 6 models, later 7, were shown in a sales complex on the north side of Tamarack Drive at Village Parkway.
Initially, Volk-McLain offered three floor plans, each in two elevations with Hawaiian, contemporary, or ranch styles. In response to an increasing demand for larger homes, they introduced a fourth floor plan in two elevations, "The New Englander" and "The Country Squire." By May 1964, Volk-McLain had sold half the homes in the initial 190 Unit 1 release.
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| Annotated aerial map of the Barkley Square model home complex on Tamarack Drive. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
The original model homes
1. The Fairchild - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,246 sq. ft. Same floor plan as the Bridgeport.
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| Original Fairchild model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Westmont - 4 bedrooms or 3 and a den, bathrooms, 1,305 sq. ft. Same floor plan as the Hartford.
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| Original Westmont model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Bridgeport - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,246 sq. ft. Same floor plan as the Fairchild.
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| Original Bridgeport model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Westchester - 3 bedrooms or 2 and a den, 2 bathrooms, 1,053 sq. ft. Same floor plan as The Briarcliff.
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| Original Westchester model today (expanded) via Google Street View. |
5. The Hartford - 4 bedrooms or 3 and a den, 2 bathrooms, 1,305 sq. ft. Same floor plan as The Westmont.
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| Original Hartford model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Briarcliff - 3 bedrooms or 2 with a den, 2 bathrooms, 1,053 sq. ft. Same floor plan as the Westchester.
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| Original Briarcliff model today via Google Street View. |
7. The New Englander - 5 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 1,610 sq. ft. Added soon after initial opening. If you liked the floor plan, but wanted a different elevation, then you could choose the Country Squire.
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| Original New Englander model today (remodeled) via Google Street View. |
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