In the early 1960s, Santa Barbara builder H.C. Elliott landed in Livermore with a vision—and a bulldozer. Where others saw a shuttered airport, Elliott saw a village waiting to happen. Not just streets and houses, but a whole community: parks, schools, shopping, and homes priced so attractively, first-time buyers felt like they'd hit the jackpot. The result was Town Square, a new-home community that promised modern suburban living at a price young families could afford.
Elliott crafted a neighborhood built for modern life—functional, attractive, and comfortably within reach. And when Town Square held its grand opening on June 21, 1964, families lined up to see the promise of a better life, wrapped in stucco and asphalt shingles. Prices started at $14,950, which meant you could actually afford to live near a new freeway and still have a backyard for the dog.
 |
| 1964 Oakland Tribune advertisement announcing the grand opening of Town Square. H. C. Elliott promoted hardwood floors, all-electric kitchens, and modern styling to attract first-time homebuyers. |
Where is Town Square?
Today, the original Town Square community can be found around Mohawk Drive, Cherokee Drive, Seminole Drive, Kent Court, Dover Way, Brighton Way, Salem Court, and Brookfield Drive in north Livermore.
 |
| Where is Town Square today? The original 1964 Town Square new-home community by H. C. Elliott occupies the area around Mohawk Drive, Cherokee Drive, Seminole Drive, Kent Court, Dover Way, Brighton Way, Salem Court, and Brookfield Drive in Livermore. Image via Apple Maps. |
Selling the dream
Elliott’s goal was clear: to offer realistically priced new homes that could comfortably fit any-sized family.
Affordability didn’t mean sacrificing style. Inside, walnut wall paneling added warmth and richness, while unique baluster room dividers brought a touch of airy elegance—separating spaces without closing them off. Some homes even included walk-in closets and sunken living rooms.
 |
| The largest Town Square model combined generous living space with an affordable purchase price, reflecting H. C. Elliott's strategy of offering value without sacrificing style. |
 |
| 1966 Oakland Tribune–a photo of the Catalina model with original garage door. |
 |
| Decorative wood balusters became one of Town Square's signature interior details, separating living spaces while preserving the open feeling that defined mid-century design. |
Legacy of Town Square
Town Square helped establish the suburban pattern that would define much of north Livermore during the 1960s. Although its marketing name has largely disappeared, the homes remain a recognizable part of the city, reflecting H. C. Elliott's emphasis on affordability, practical design, and neighborhood planning.
The success of Town Square gave H. C. Elliott the confidence to continue building in Livermore, where the company's next communities would further shape the city's suburban growth.
By the end of 1967, Elliot reported all 412 homes were complete. And with a successful track record—even in an era of tight money—H.C. Elliott turned his sights to the next chapter, Somerset.
Exploring the original Town Square today
Although the sales office is long gone and the advertisements have faded, the original Town Square model homes remain part of the neighborhood. These homes gave prospective buyers their first glimpse of H. C. Elliott's vision for suburban living in 1964.
Today, they provide a tangible connection to Town 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: $14,950 - $21,950
- 1965: $14,950 - $20,900
- 1966: $15,725 - $23,950
- 1967: From $18,200
Original model home complex
Town Square's ten original model homes were arranged on Cayuga Drive around a temporary sales complex that welcomed prospective buyers during the neighborhood's grand opening in June 1964. While the sales office disappeared long ago, the model homes remain, allowing visitors to trace the neighborhood's beginnings more than fifty years later.
 |
| Annotated aerial map of the original Town Square model home complex on Cayuga Drive. Base imagery from Apple Maps. |
Original model home designs
1. The Monterey - This model offered approximately 1,300 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Monterey model today via Google Street View. |
2. The Plan 2 - This model offered approximately 1,144 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Plan 2 model today via Google Street View. |
3. The Arcadian - This model offered approximately 910 square feet with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Often tucked onto corner lots with garages at an angle.
 |
| Original Arcadian model today via Google Street View. |
4. The Plan 4 - This model offered approximately 1,572 square feet with up to 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Retired by 1966.
 |
| Original Plan 4 model today via Google Street View. |
5. The Newporter - This model offered approximately 1,282 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Newporter model today via Google Street View. |
6. The Plan 6 - This model offered approximately 1,697 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Plan 6 model today via Google Street View. |
7. The Jamaica - This model offered approximately 1,559 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.
 |
| Original Jamaica model today via Google Street View. |
8. The Catalina - This model offered approximately 1,800 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Added in February 1966.
 |
| Original Catalina model today via Google Street View. |
9. The Danville - This model offered approximately 1,700 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Added in April 1966.
 |
| Original Danville model today via Google Street View. |
10. The Barcelona - This model offered approximately 1,588 square feet with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Added in February 1966.
 |
| A Barcelona home (not original model) via Google Street View. |
Collection
Livermore — the places that built a modern city
This collection explores the new-home communities, builders, and neighborhoods that transformed Livermore during the decades when ranches, orchards, and open fields gave way to the neighborhoods that define the city today.
Comments
Post a Comment