So I was skimming the local real estate ads this morning and came across a home for sale listed as
'The Anthony Boucher House' Really? How many people in the market for a home in Berkeley at this price remember Anthony Boucher aka Tony White? Well, mystery folks, science fiction people, for sure. I'd been there several times in the past to pick up Phyllis White, his widow, to take her to meetings, and then again for Phyllis's memorial. I never met Tony. The house is located on a quiet street in South Berkeley, but just off Telegraph Avenue. Not a particularly tony neighborhood, but walking distance to campus. This has its pluses and a lot of minuses. So I went to the Internet to find out more about the house. Oh, did I mention that it's selling for
$1,5000,000. The last time I was there, I did some washing up in the kitchen. Clearly the kitchen has been remodeled since then, and the garden looks charming.... but $1,500,000. Really? I'm sure they'll get it, home prices being what they are in the Bay Area. I just found it amusing that the realtors are marketing the property as T
he Anthony Bouchercon House! Ah...memories...
2643 Dana Street, Berkeley: The Anthony Boucher House: $1,500,000
Four bedrooms two baths with a bonus space (workshop/exercise room?) and half bath
From the Family to the Next Owner:
I love the traditional layout, large rooms and generous backyard, as well as the fact that our family has so much history here.
We’ve enjoyed many holidays and memorable
family events in this home. I especially love that my daughter is being
raised in the same home my Dad and Uncle grew up in and I lived in
while I attended UC Berkeley.
I also love that everything is nearby,
from the dentist to the grocery store and the park. The neighborhood
boasts a wide variety of dining options, ranging from cheap ethnic
“student eats” to lovely bistros and coffeehouses, as well as convenient
services.
UC Berkeley, Downtown Berkeley and Elmwood shops, restaurants and theaters are all about a mile away. The bus line is just a block away.
A family history at 2643 Dana Street, Berkeley, CA
Four generations of my family have lived
in this home since 1947; my husband and I have lived here since 2002.
My grandparents were the original owners and my Dad and uncle lived here
through college at UC Berkeley. My grandmother lived here until her
passing in 2000. Her husband was William A.P. White, who worked under
the pen name Anthony Boucher, was an accomplished author, book and
magazine editor and critic, active from the 1940s to his death in 1968.
A.P., or “Tony” to his friends, was
influential as a mystery book editor for the San Francisco Chronicle and
New York Times. He was also an author, founder of the Magazine of
Fantasy and Science Fiction and co-writer of hundreds of scripts for
radio shows in the 1940s, including Sherlock Holmes with Basil Rathbone
and Nigel Bruce. He wrote almost everything he ever produced here in
this house, using the master bedroom as his “study.” He also hosted
regular writers’ workshops in the living room, with notable mystery and
science fiction authors.
He was most beloved as an editor because
he took the time to mentor writers and was seminal in attempting to make
literary quality an important aspect of science fiction and mystery
writing. So much so, in fact, there is an annual convention of creators
and devotees of mystery and detective fiction named in his honor.
Called the Anthony Boucher Memorial World Mystery Convention or
“Bouchercon”, the event is held annually every fall.
My love for this house stretches back to
my childhood; I’ve always loved the look and feel of it. When my
grandmother passed away, my husband and I took on the challenge of
updating it so we could live here and keep the house in the family. We
have raised our daughter here, hosted numerous family gatherings and
celebrated many milestones. We hate to leave this beautiful house but
find it necessary as my husband’s career pulls us to Hawaii.
This is a wonderful neighborhood to raise
a family in, with great schools, lovely parks and every possible
amenity nearby. Hopefully, the new family will love how walkable this
area is, with great neighborhoods, restaurants and shops in every
direction.
Built in 1941, the house itself is well
built and has been lovingly updated from top to bottom. Please see list
of improvements for a full description of what’s been done to the home
and property. This is an ideal place for entertaining with a generous
backyard and lots of living space. We have loved every minute in this
house and hope the new owners will too.
The Berkeley Historical Plaque Project will be placing a plaque on the home.
