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The streets that crisscross the Old Mountain View neighborhood and nearby downtown were first carved nearly 150 years ago at the close of the Civil War. The arrival of the railroad in the mid 1860s spurred the developments, which grew south from Evelyn Avenue and now comprise the heart of the city.

Though few 19th-century structures remain, the neighborhood prominently features architecture from the '30s, '40s and '50s. This good-old-days aesthetic has been maintained even as the surrounding community has grown to foster some of Silicon Valley's technology giants, most notably Google, which is headquartered in Mountain View.

Steven Lacy, who works for Google, likes his Old Mountain View home for many reasons. For one, he is able to bike to work along the Stevens Creek Trail. Lacy also enjoys taking his son to nearby Mercy-Bush Park, one of six parks located within the neighborhood, which is bounded by El Camino Real, Shoreline Boulevard, Evelyn Avenue and Highways 87/237.

"It's like the neighborhood's backyard," he said of Mercy-Bush, where he and his family go about five times a week. While there, not only does his son enjoy playing with other children, Lacy and his wife get a chance to socialize with the accompanying adults.

Lacy, who has lived in Old Mountain View since 1999, likes the aesthetic of the neighborhood. "Every house is different," he explained. He did note that traffic can be a concern on Dana Street, where commuters are heading to and from the freeway.

Many choose the neighborhood for its proximity to downtown Mountain View. "It's the perfect distance from downtown," said Aaron Grossman, treasurer of the Old Mountain View Neighborhood Association (OMVNA), who moved into the area in 1995.

Although the bustling Castro Street bisects the neighborhood, the highly active neighborhood association works to make sure that businesses do not push into the surrounding residential areas, even as it encourages growth of retail that serves the community. Walking down Castro from one end of the neighborhood to the other, one will find City Hall, a multitude of restaurants and coffee shops, as well as the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.

Bruce Karney, OMVNA vice chair, has lived in Old Mountain View since 1987. He and his association work with the city council to ensure that the neighborhood maintains a balanced diversity. Karney said the association also holds community events such as ice cream socials, which are highly attended — the past two bringing in about 400 residents.

And, while the community takes pride in the aesthetic of its classic architecture, the highly modern is not discouraged. In September 2008 Shannon Madison's home on Eldora Drive earned the second highest green rating for a home in the Bay Area from Berkeley-based Build It Green. The ultra green home is not the only acclaimed house in the neighborhood. Last year a home on the corner of Bush Street and Yosemite Avenue, which is decked out every Halloween, was recognized by Fearnet.com as the best haunted house in the country.


FACTS


CHILDCARE AND PRESCHOOLS: YMCA Kids' Place at Landels School, 115 W. Dana St.

FIRE STATION: No. 1, 251 S. Shoreline Blvd.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Old Mountain View Neighborhood Association, Noam Livnat, chair@omvna.org; omvna.org

PARKS: Dana Park, West Dana Street at Oak Street; Eagle Park & Pool, S. Shoreline Boulevard at Church Street; Pioneer Park, Church and Castro streets; Mercy-Bush Park, Mercy and Bush streets; Fairmont Park, Fairmont Avenue and Bush Street; Landels Park, West Dana Street near Calderon Avenue

POST OFFICE: Mountain View, 211 Hope St.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Mtn. View-Whisman School District — Landels Elementary School, Graham Middle School; Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District — Mountain View High School

SHOPPING: Downtown Mountain View, Grant Park Plaza

MEDIAN 2008 HOME PRICE: $959,900 ($825,000-$1,443,000)

HOMES SOLD: 27

MEDIAN 2008 CONDO PRICE: $804,975 ($553,000-$1,040,000)

CONDOS SOLD: 20

— Nick Veronin