Barkley Square wasn’t just another new-home community 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 home designs. |
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 dream
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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| 1964 San Francisco Chronicle—ornate room dividers. it ain't Soviet 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.
Original advertised prices
- 1964: From $16,995
- 1965: From $16,995
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. |
Original model home designs
1. The Fairchild - This model offered approximately 1,246 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Same floor plan as the Bridgeport.
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| Original Fairchild model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Westmont - This model offered approximately 1,305 square feet with up to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Same floor plan as the Hartford.
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| Original Westmont model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Bridgeport - This model offered approximately 1,246 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Same floor plan as the Fairchild.
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| Original Bridgeport model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Westchester - This model offered approximately 1,053 square feet with up to 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Same floor plan as The Briarcliff.
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| Original Westchester model today (expanded) via Google Street View. |
5. The Hartford - This model offered approximately 1,305 square feet with up to 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Same floor plan as The Westmont.
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| Original Hartford model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Briarcliff - This model offered approximately 1,053 square feet with up to 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Same floor plan as the Westchester.
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| Original Briarcliff model today via Google Street View. |
7. The New Englander - This model offered approximately 1,610 square feet with 5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. 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. |
Collections
Dublin — the neighborhoods that built a new city
This collection explores the new-home communities, builders, and neighborhoods that shaped Dublin during its principle years of suburban growth that gradually became the modern city.
The San Ramon Village collection explores the master-planned community that transformed former ranches and orchards into today's Dublin and South San Ramon. Although the name has largely disappeared, the neighborhoods, subdivisions, schools, parks, and shopping centers built as part of the original plan continue to shape the Tri-Valley.
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