Allanoke Manor facts for kids

Allanoke Manor, often called Allanoke, is a historic private home in Berkeley, California. You can find it at 1777 Le Roy Avenue, just a short walk north of the University of California, Berkeley campus. This beautiful house was officially named a City of Berkeley Landmark in November 1986, recognizing its importance to the city's history.

History of Allanoke Manor

Allanoke Manor was designed by the famous architect Ernest Coxhead. Construction on the house began in 1903 and was finished in 1904. It was built using special "clinker bricks," which are bricks that have been slightly over-fired, giving them a unique, rustic look. The house's style mixes elements of Georgian and Dutch colonial architecture.

Early Days and First Owners

In the fall of 1904, Allanoke Manor became a place for music. It hosted a series of cello and piano concerts performed by Frederick Stickney Gutterson and his wife, Minnie Marie.

The first owner of Allanoke Manor was Allen Gleason Freeman (1853-1930). He was a fruit merchant who was born in Flushing, Michigan. In 1887, he married Jessie Katherine Marsh (1858-1940). The Freemans were part of the Unitarian Universalist faith.

The Carriage House and Surviving the Fire

In 1919, the Freemans added a carriage house for their horses and carriages. This building was designed by architect Clarence Tantau and is located across the street at 2533 Ridge Road. A special gate post at the carriage house even has the name "Allanoke" carved into it.

Allanoke Manor was very lucky to survive the big 1923 Berkeley, California fire that happened in 1923. This fire destroyed many other buildings nearby in Berkeley, but Allanoke stood strong.

Later Owners and Recent History

In the late 1980s, the university had a chance to buy Allanoke, but they decided not to. Later, Frederick M. Binkley (1924–2006) and his wife Marian Frances (1924–2017) bought the house. They worked to restore Allanoke and make it a single-family home again.

More recently, on July 16, 2018, Allanoke was sold to the New Bridge Foundation.

The Correct Spelling of Allanoke

There has been some discussion about how to spell the manor's name. In 2017, a local researcher named Daniella Thompson wrote a letter to Berkeley's Landmarks Preservation Commission. She explained that the correct spelling is "Allanoke." One of her reasons was that this name is clearly carved on the gate post of the carriage house.

Daniella Thompson also wrote an article for the Berkeley Architectural Heritage Association. In her article, she shared photos of the "Allanoke" spelling on the gate post. She also included old newspaper notices about the 1904 concerts and Mrs. Freeman's will from 1938, all supporting the "Allanoke" spelling.

Notable Residents of Allanoke

Allanoke Manor has been home to some important people in Berkeley's history.

Robert Sibley

One notable resident was Robert Sibley (1881-1958). He was a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Besides teaching, he was also a leader for the California Alumni Association and served as a director and president of the East Bay Regional Park District from 1948 to 1958.

Carol Sibley

Robert Sibley's wife, Carol Sibley (1902-1986), was also a very important person in the community. She was a well-known local activist who worked hard to make a difference in Berkeley. She played a key role in helping to desegregate schools in Berkeley during the 1960s, working to make sure all students had equal opportunities.