Livermore’s Somerset Homes: 1968–1971 homes & subdivision history

Cover photo of a two-story Somerset House model in Livermore’s Somerset Homes neighborhood, built between 1968 and 1971 by H.C. Elliott. The home features a balanced façade with traditional detailing, a front-facing garage, and mature landscaping—representing the builder’s signature style during the late 1960s.

Welcome to Somerset Homes

In the spring of 1968, builder H.C. Elliott cracked open a new parcel of land north of East Jack London Boulevard and introduced Livermore to his second series of homes in the Town Square neighborhood.

At the heart of it all was the Somerset House, marketed as a “smart home” (back when that meant clever floor planning, not Wi-Fi). This flexible design came with two bedrooms, one bathroom, and plenty of room to grow. What some called an attic, Elliott called an unfinished second story—because the idea was simple: your home should grow with your family. Who needed a nursery when you had blueprints? The base model kept it modest, but for a bit more, you could finish that second floor with two extra bedrooms and a bathroom. 

Over time, the series of homes within the Town Square neighborhood earned their own identity, and the name Somerset Homes was born.

1968 ad for Somerset House model in Livermore, featuring expandable home with optional second story and unfinished attic space
From a May 1968 Oakland Tribune ad—the expandable home with unfinished second-story. Base price didn't include windows on the second story or a staircase to get there--those were extra.

The public caught on quickly. Within 60 days of opening, Elliott sold 90 homes. The Somerset name stuck—not just for the model, but the neighborhood itself.

Map showing the location of the Town Square neighborhood in Livermore, California, with adjacent areas including the future Somerset neighborhoods where builder H.C. Elliott continued development.
Somerset Homes were built in the Town Square North, Somerset South, and Somerset West neighborhoods in Livermore, California.

Pantries: the unsung heroes of the kitchen

In the Somerset homes, pantries were designed with practicality and convenience in mind—no more cluttered countertops or last-minute grocery hunts. These spacious, organized spaces became a staple, giving families the room to stock up on staples, snacks, and all those little extras that make a kitchen feel like home. From canned goods to cereals, the pantry was the quiet workhorse behind every meal and midnight snack.

Newspaper photo from 1968 showing a woman stocking a pantry with cereal and snacks in a Somerset model home
From a September 1968 Oakland Tribune—snack mission in progress: She’s tucking away Rice-A-Roni, Cap’n Crunch, and Special K—because a smart pantry means never having to say, “We’re out of cereal!”

Prices on the rise: don’t say we didn’t warn you

Back in the day, everyone knew one thing for sure—home prices were creeping up. Elliott wasn’t shy about it either. Ads bluntly reminded buyers: “Fact, prices are going up.” A little nudge to act fast, before that dream home got just a little out of reach.

1969 newspaper ad warning of rising home prices in Somerset neighborhood, Livermore
From a August 1969 Oakland Tribune—Fear tactic alert! Because nothing says “buy now” like a little friendly panic over rising prices.

At first, Elliott planned to be finished by 1970. But builders, like homeowners, are easily tempted. When developer Jim Knuppe decided not to finish his Garden Homes project nearby, Elliott swooped in and picked up the remaining 135 lots—some nestled between Knuppe’s already-built homes. This new area, which stretched both sides of Murrieta Boulevard, became Somerset South.

The homes of Somerset

The model complex opened in May 1968 at Delaware Way and Huron Drive with six homes on display. Over time, as models were added, retired, and renamed, up to 13 floor plans would be featured across Somerset, Somerset South, and Somerset West.

Although the model complex closed in 1971 when the Somerset Homes neighborhood sold out, it re-opened in 1972 to sell homes in the new Somerset West neighborhood. By September 1973, this model court was closed and sold—because Elliott had opened a brand-new model complex in Somerset West.

Small map showing the site of the Somerset model home complex on Delaware Way in Livermore, California. The map pinpoints the model home location within the surrounding residential area.
Map of the Somerset Homes model home complex on Delaware Way.

Pricing history

  • 1968: $17,950 +
  • 1969: $19,950 - $24,950
  • 1970: $19,500 - $25,950
  • 1971: $19,500 - $26,400

Model homes

1. The Danbury - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,130 - 1,150 sq. ft.

2. The Ridgewood - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,400 + sq. ft.

3. The Monterey - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,427 sq. ft.

4. The Sheffield - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,600 sq. ft. Retired in 1973.

5. The Somerset House - An expandable home with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, and an unfinished second story. Or finished with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Came standard without stairs or second-floor windows—those were extra. As were the dreams.

6. The Huntington - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,573 sq. ft. Included a flexible "three-way room" (9.5' x 10.5') that could be used as a den, retreat for the master bedroom, or 4th bedroom. Briefly renamed the Sheffield in 1973 because… why not?

7. The Somerset House II/The Spacemaster - 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1,100 sq. ft. Added in 1969; retired in 1972. A revision of the original Somerset House for narrower lots. Included were blueprints for a 500 sq. ft. second story with 2 additional bedrooms and a bathroom. Windows on the second story and a staircase were extra, though. Owners had trouble figuring out placement of the windows, so in 1970, this model was rebranded as the Spacemaster and included windows on the second story--and a kit with pre-cut lumber to build a staircase.

1970 advertisement for the Spacemaster model at Somerset Homes in Livermore. The ad promotes a partially finished second story, pre-equipped with heating, plumbing, and wiring for future expansion. It offers buyers free plans to add two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. Tagline reads: “Buy a home with big overhead—big overhead space, that is.”
Vintage September 1970 ad for Somerset Homes in Livermore, featuring the Spacemaster model. Marketed with a fully stubbed but unfinished upstairs, the home gave buyers the option to add two more bedrooms and a bathroom—with free plans included. “Buy a home with big overhead—big overhead space, that is,” the ad teased.

8. The Tamerlane - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,640 sq. ft. Added in 1969; retired in 1972.

1970 advertisement for the Tamerlane model at Somerset Homes in Livermore, featuring promotional text: “You couldn't build this home for $28,000. But we sell it for $25,950 and give you a full-sized lot.” The ad highlights a two-story design with a bonus room upstairs.
Vintage February 1970 ad for Somerset Homes in Livermore, showcasing the Tamerlane model. Marketed at $25,950—below the estimated construction cost—the home came with a full-sized lot and a bonus upstairs room.

9. The Homestead - 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms. Added in 1970. This plan introduced cement slab foundations instead of traditional raised hardwood floors to lower construction costs.

10. The La Paz - 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, 988 sq. ft. A lower-priced model added in 1971 with the San Juan; only 18 were built between the two models. Included were blueprints to add a master suite with bathroom, and a larger family room.

1971 advertisement for the La Paz model at Somerset Homes in Livermore, priced at $19,500. Marketed as “the complete house,” the ad highlights that the only optional features are a fireplace and a dishwasher. Aimed at budget-conscious buyers, it promises quality living at an essential price point.
Vintage January 1971 ad for Somerset Homes in Livermore, introducing the La Paz model as “the complete house” for just $19,500. The ad emphasizes simplicity and value, with only two optional upgrades: a fireplace and a dishwasher.

11. The San Juan - 4 bedrooms or 3 bedrooms and a den, 2 bathrooms, 1,268 sq. ft. A lower-priced model added in 1971 with the La Paz; only 18 were built between the two models.

12. The Scottsdale - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,343 sq. ft. Added in 1973 to build in Somerset West.

13. The Huntington - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,479 sq. ft. Added in 1973 to build in Somerset West. Featured the infamous "curvilinear kitchen." When introduced, it stole the Huntington name from a different model, which was then renamed the Sheffield.

Somerset today

Here's what the former Somerset Homes models look like today.

The Danbury today

The original Danbury model home in Somerset, Livermore—3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, used as the neighborhood’s sales office
The original Danbury model today. This home also housed the sales office.

The Ridgewood today

The Ridgewood model home in Somerset, Livermore—3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, one of the larger early designs
The original Ridgewood model today.

The Monterey today

The Monterey model home in Somerset, Livermore—3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,427 square feet
The original Monterey model today.

The Sheffield today

The Sheffield model home in Somerset, Livermore—4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, retired in 1973
The original Sheffield model today.

The Somerset House today

Somerset House model in Livermore—expandable 2-bedroom home with optional second floor, staircase and windows sold separately
The original Somerset House model today.

The Huntington today

Original Huntington model home in Somerset, Livermore—3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, featuring a flexible three-way room
The original Huntington model today.

The Somerset House II, later the Spacemaster, today

Spacemaster model home in Somerset, Livermore—2-bedroom home with blueprints and kit for optional second story
The original Somerset House II model today.

The Tamerlane today

Tamerlane model home in Somerset, Livermore—3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, added in 1969 and retired in 1972
The original Tamerlane model today.

The Homestead today

Homestead model home in Somerset, Livermore—3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, modestly sized with simple charm
The original Homestead model today.

The La Paz today

La Paz model home in Somerset Homes, Livermore—3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms, with optional additions like a master suite
Current photo of the original La Paz model.

The San Juan today

San Juan model home in Somerset, Livermore—3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, offered as a budget-friendly option
The original San Juan model today.

The Scottsdale today

Scottsdale model home introduced in Somerset West, Livermore—3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, built in 1973
The original Scottsdale model today.

The Huntington today

Revised Huntington model home in Somerset West, Livermore—4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, featuring a curvilinear kitchen
The original Huntington model today.

What’s in a name?

By April 1971, every one of the 474 homes in Somerset and Somerset South had been sold. And here’s the kicker: through four years and two subdivisions, Elliott never raised the starting price of a home above $19,500. Let that sink in while you check Zillow.

Some people remember Somerset as a model. Others remember it as a place. But for the better part of a decade, it was a steady pulse in Livermore’s suburban heartbeat. With homes priced to start under $20,000, and flexible floor plans that grew with families, it was more than a subdivision. It was a strategy: build it smarter, sell it quickly, rename it later if needed.

And Elliott? He didn’t just ride the wave—he built the shoreline. One model home at a time.

Related post: The story of Town Square: Livermore's old WWII airfield transforms into a thriving suburb

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