TractTales | Neighborhood history of the Tri-Valley

In May 1970, H. C. Elliott launched the Pleasanton Meadows development, marking a key moment in the suburban growth of Pleasanton. Situated around Galli Homes’ earlier portion of Pleasanton Meadows, Elliott inherited a tract that Galli had abandoned due to market pressures. Galli’s homes, which were priced high for the era, did not sell well during tough economic times, prompting the company to sell empty lots to Elliott. With a more affordable approach, H. C. Elliott completed the tract between 1970 and 1971, building 71 homes, primarily along Fairlands Drive. The homes built by Elliott were part of a larger, evolving vision for Pleasanton, as the city began to transition from a more rural, agricultural community to a suburban destination. These new homes were designed to offer young families a more accessible entry point into homeownership during a time when housing prices were rising. Pleasanton Meadows was marketed as an affordable suburban oasis, with homes priced between $25,50...

Developed by H.C. Elliott between 1970 and 1976, Vintage Hills occupies roughly 139 acres on what was once vineyard-covered terrain. With 472 homes overlooking the Amador Valley, the neighborhood quickly became a coveted spot for buyers looking for charm, views, and something just a little different. From an August 1970 Oakland Tribune ad—a world apart at its grand opening—where the views were sweeping, the model complex was miles away, and the dream was worth the detour. Where is Vintage Hills in Pleasanton? Annotated aerial map of H. C. Elliott's homes in the Vintage Hills neighborhood in Pleasanton, California. Base imagery from Google Maps . The grand opening & early sales Vintage Hills launched with a grand opening on August 23, 1970, but homes weren’t actually sold on-site. Early sales were conducted through Elliott’s Pleasanton Meadows office—freeway-close, but nowhere near the hills. Prospective buyers had to follow a winding trail of turns to get there, making the...

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 master-planned neighborhood for the every-family dream. 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. From a 1964 Oakland Tribune–now open: homes with gleaming hardwood floors and the all-electric kitchen of your mid-century dreams. Clean lines, bright spaces, and out...

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. 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. 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...