Monta Loma, Mountain View

One of Mountain View's oldest neighborhoods is also one of the city's tightest-knit, a place where the strong sense of community seems from a past era.

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Monta Loma, the diamond-shaped parcel of land formed by San Antonio Road, Middlefield Road, Rengstorff Avenue and Central Expressway, boasts a streamlined '50s appearance, a friendly atmosphere and residents who care deeply about their neighborhood.

"It's definitely one of the most independently organized neighborhoods," said Susan Slater, a resident since 1993. "People go to city meetings. They're concerned about the neighborhood. It's a really active neighborhood."

Monta Loma facts CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: Hobbledehoy Montessori Preschool, 2321 Jane Lane; Monta Loma Babysitting Co-op (part of Monta Loma Neighborhood Association) FIRE STATION: No. 3, 301 Rengstorff Ave. NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Monta Loma Neighborhood Association, Elna Tymes, president, etymes@lts.com, www.montaloma.org PARKS: Monta Loma Park, Thompson Avenue and Laurel Lane; Thaddeus Park, Middlefield Road and Independence Drive POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St. PRIVATE SCHOOLS: The Girls' Middle School, 180 N. Rengstorff Ave. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mtn. View-Whisman School District -- Monta Loma Elementary School, Crittenden Middle School; Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District -- Los Altos High School SHOPPING: Central Expressway and Rengstorff Avenue; Middlefield Road and Rengstorff Avenue; San Antonio Shopping Center MEDIAN 2007 HOME PRICE: $872,000 ($750,000-$990,000) # HOMES SOLD: 14

The majority of Monta Loma's houses were built during the war boom of the 1940s and '50s. As Joseph Eichler constructed most of the homes -- originally three-bedroom, two-bathroom structures with two-car garages -- the neighborhood has a unified feeling.

"They're very modern, even by today's standards," said Alan Whitaker, former president of the Monta Loma Neighborhood Association.

A few apartment complexes sit within the neighborhood's boundaries, particularly near Middlefield and San Antonio roads, but nearly 70 percent of residents own homes. Families occupy most of the roughly 1,100 households, although couples and retirees also hold a significant presence in the neighborhood.

Most parents in Monta Loma let their children walk to the elementary school situated in the center of the neighborhood. And evening strolls are a popular activity for adults as well.

"Go out for a walk at night and you'll see a minimum of 20 people," Whitaker said.

The sense of community in Monta Loma is perhaps best attributed to the neighborhood association. Formed in 1977 to combat unkempt lawns and traffic noise, the group has since represented the interests of residents in a number of issues. Recently, association members offered input to the city, before the city council approved construction of 450 high-density homes on the former Hewlett Packard site.

In addition, the association offers services such as a babysitting co-op and brings neighbors together at two annual social events: the End of Winter Warm-Up in March and the Ice Cream Social in August, both of which have great turnouts, according to Jack Gale, a resident since 1998 and former neighborhood association president.

But it's not all fun and games. The association has also created the Community Emergency Response Team, a group of about 35 residents who would aid neighbors in the case of an earthquake or other major disaster. Members have taken a 27-hour course offered by the city and maintain a trailer and equipment housed at the elementary school.

Many businesses have come and gone over the years, such as Albertson's, which was replaced by the Golden Phoenix grocery store, but one popular aspect of the neighborhood has been a mainstay for 50 years.

"Things change but these houses are still here," Whitaker said. "They are cherished by those of us who live here."

-- Katie Vaughn