Piedmont in Alameda County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Maze

English Hedge Maze Popular in Early 1900s

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 7, 2014

1. The Maze Marker

Caption: 879 – The Maze, Piedmont Park, California (postcard, upper right).

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

One of the first improvements made by Frank Havens to Piedmont Springs Park was the construction of a living hedge maze modeled on those like Hampton Court in England. An article in the Oakland Herald in December 1904 shows a winding drive leading to a natural bowl and the new maze. Missing from the picture is a red roofed pagoda and fields of roses that would be added later.

The maze was demolished when a new School Board purchased part of the park land in 1920 for its new high school and future athletic field. The city purchased the remaining land for a municipal park.

In September 1948, the high school athletic field was named in honor of Jean C. Witter, former captain of the football team who was killed in World War II. The same night the first lighted football game was held between Piedmont High and Concord’s Mt. Diablo High School. Further renovations were made to the field in 1998 when a new field house, track and synthetic turf were added.

”At the western end of the park on the low grounds is situated the “Maze” where the visitor can find much enjoyment trying to find his
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 7, 2014

2. The Maze Marker

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or her way out to the open path. Here are circles, semicircles and long straight rows of ornamental shrubbery, palms, flowers and deciduous trees. Through this charming spot wind roads of red stone, over which an occasional automobile goes whirling, leaving the trail of gasoline smell to drive away for a moment the delicious odor of pine and redwood.” - The Oakland Herald, 1904

Erected by Piedmont Beautification Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1948.

Location. 37° 49.219′ N, 122° 14.037′ W. Marker is in Piedmont, California, in Alameda County. Marker can be reached from Wildwood Avenue near Prospect Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 317 Wildwood Avenue, Oakland CA 94611, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Eucalyptus Amphitheater (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sulphur Springs Grotto (about 800 feet away); The Cascade (approx. 0.2 miles away); Piedmont Art Gallery (approx. ¼ mile away); Piedmont Springs Hotel (approx. 0.3 miles away); Faux Bois Benches (approx. 0.3 miles away);

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Piedmont Springs Clubhouse & Cafe (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honor Roll (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Piedmont.

More about this marker. This marker is located at the southern entrance to Piedmont Park.

Additional keywords. landscape architecture

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 17, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 576 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 17, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.