Pleasanton Valley history: Morrison's 1966–1968 Walnut Grove Series homes
When Morrison Homes broke ground on its second phase in Pleasanton Valley — the Walnut Grove Series — it did so with a nod to the land’s past. Built between 1966 and 1968, the homes were sited on generous lots — many measuring over 11,000 square feet — and often came with a quiet legacy: up to six mature walnut trees left from the original orchard. These weren’t just new homes; they were new roots planted in old soil.
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| A view from Hopyard Road in 1968 shows the Pleasanton Valley model home complex—fresh sidewalks, young trees, and homes awaiting families. The photo hints at Pleasanton’s rural feel before suburban expansion. |
Pleasanton in the mid-to-late 1960s was undergoing a slow but steady transformation. While nearby Dublin was developing its first shopping centers and San Ramon remained mostly pasture, Pleasanton was emerging as a town with modern schools, growing families, and a suburban identity still grounded in rural character. It was a time when Sunset Magazine was inspiring backyards, vinyl floors were replacing linoleum, and kids rode bikes without helmets to brand-new schools like Walnut Grove Elementary — just blocks from the new model homes.
In the background, America was changing fast: the first Super Bowl aired in 1967, color TV was becoming mainstream, and California’s housing boom was heating up. In Pleasanton Valley, that future arrived through the welcoming doors of a Morrison model home.
In the ads: “Pleasanton Valley asks... are you ready?”
A 1967 Oakland Tribune ad posed a question to busy Bay Area families: “Are you ready?” If your weekly errands required a clipboard and a grocery list long enough to wrap around the block, these homes were designed for you.
The ad campaigns promoted “family-size floor plans” and “intelligent storage” — pitched squarely at a new generation of suburban homeowners, many moving from the post-war bungalows of Oakland or San Leandro into larger homes with more bedrooms, more closets, and — in many cases — their very first two-car garage.
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| March 1967 ad for Pleasanton Valley’s Walnut Grove Series asks, “Are you ready?”—a call to growing families looking for space, storage, and a fresh start in suburban Pleasanton. |
The Meadowood Court model complex (1966–1968)
Morrison’s second phase model complex opened on Meadowwood Court in 1966, serving as the showcase for what would become known as the Walnut Grove Series.
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| Site of second Pleasanton Valley model homes on Meadowwood Court, opened in 1966. |
The homes reflected a blend of ranch sensibility with updated layouts and mid-century styling — aimed at families who needed real space, but wanted modern comforts too.
Pricing history
- 1966: $23,900 - $31,950
- 1967: $25,250 - $33,350
- 1968: $28,000 - $35,200
Model homes
1. The Country House - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,752 or 1,912 sq. ft.
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| 1968 ad for the Country House emphasizes community connection and thoughtful construction—a hallmark of the Walnut Grove Series. |
2. The Gatewood House - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,103 sq. ft.
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| From June 5, 1966: the Gatewood House ad promised “intelligent planning” and residential distinction for Pleasanton Valley buyers. |
3. The Heritage House - 6 bedrooms or 5 with a retreat, 3 bathrooms, 2,560 sq. ft.
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| 1966 ad for the Heritage House invites buyers to a serene Pleasanton setting—and one of the largest models available at the time. |
4. The Terrace House - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,540 or 1,732 sq. ft.
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| The 1966 ad for the Terrace House playfully quotes Webster’s to underscore the home's lasting value. |
5. The Holiday House - 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2,179 sq. ft.
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| “You have to be decisive,” warned this 1966 Holiday House ad—one of Pleasanton Valley’s more sought-after plans. |
6. The Monterey House - 4 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,085 sq. ft.
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| This clever 1968 ad for the Monterey House reminded buyers that “community is to house as leather is to shoes.” |
7. The Arbor House - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,854 sq. ft. Added in 1967.
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| Introduced in 1967, the Arbor House was touted as “the newest concept of 1967”—a model ahead of its time. |
8. The Casual American House - 3 or 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1,730 sq. ft. Designed by George A. Swallow, AIA, and added in 1968.
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| Designed by George A. Swallow, the 1968 Casual American House offered a refined but livable setting for mid-century families. |
9. The Portico House - 4 bedrooms or 3 with a retreat, 2.5 bathrooms, 2,227 sq. ft. A tri-level home designed by George A. Swallow, AIA, added in 1968.
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| The 1968 Portico House ad showcased Morrison’s tri-level triumph—“space-craftsmanship” in Pleasanton Valley’s final Walnut Grove design. |
The Walnut Grove Series today
More than 55 years later, the original Walnut Grove models still stand — some updated, others preserved, but nearly all of them recognizable.
The Country House today
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| The Country House model today — still rooted in its original 1966 design, with classic lines and a welcoming presence. |
The Gatewood House today
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| Originally built in 1966, the Gatewood House has evolved with the times, but the original layout still anchors this spacious family home. |
The Heritage House today
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| The Heritage House — Pleasanton Valley’s grandest 1966 model — remains a standout for size and layout flexibility. |
The Terrace House today
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| The Terrace House today: still modest in scale, but big on the charm that made Pleasanton Valley a favorite for new families in the 1960s. |
The Holiday House today
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| The Holiday House, once billed as a "must-act-now" model in 1966, still offers timeless curb appeal today. |
The Monterey House today
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| The Monterey House — Pleasanton Valley’s two-story classic — remains a favorite for its generous layout and neighborhood views. |
The Arbor House today
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| Introduced in 1967 as a design-forward addition, the Arbor House still reflects the quiet confidence of the late Walnut Grove years. |
The Casual American House today
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| The Casual American House today — remodeled for modern living, but with bones still defined by George A. Swallow’s original 1968 design. |
The Portico House today
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| The Portico House, Pleasanton Valley’s bold tri-level model, has stood the test of time with its architectural presence still clearly visible. |
Legacy of the Walnut Grove Series
Walnut Grove was never just a stopgap between phases. It was a thoughtful continuation of Pleasanton Valley’s identity — blending past and present. Here, Morrison Homes made room for what mattered: families, yards, shade trees, and quiet streets.
The homes of Walnut Grove bridged two worlds: the rural past of Pleasanton, and the modern suburban future that would unfold over the next decade.
Today, these homes offer more than nostalgia — they’re a record of architectural and community planning values from a pivotal time in local history. They reflect the optimism of the era, the scale of family life, and the belief that neighborhoods could still feel like home before they felt like investment.
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