November 18, 2004

STREET SCENECahen Drive

Set beneath an ‘S’ bend up a hill under the watch of strong, aged oak trees and formerly home to Cahen Drive’s namesake Cahens—reportedly pronounced cane—the former orchard/railway is historic and contemporary.

Cahen was the rail’s end of a train line during the 1800s. And in innovative fashion, the passage, designed to support Quicksilver Mine operations, has developed into perhaps Almaden’s most unique architectural display and barrack with diversity.

Isolated, the street has mirrored modern civilization evolving with the times.

“Cahen is the epitome of society,” commented David Mun, a newer resident, only half joking. “You look at the history, the mines, and what not and then consider all of the turnover, with new families coming in and the old moving out, but keeping the spirit of the street friendly. It almost represents the American ideal, where civilization and technology produce a greater quality of life.”

Cahen Drive is a long stretch between McKean Road before a grade entering Mountain Shadows Road off Almaden Road. Homes on the street have recently been sold in the million-dollar range.

Approximately 25 years ago, a developer named Mike Checci approached Louise Cahen with a proposal to purchase the land and develop houses to parcel up and sell for profit. Cahen, a widow by that time, agreed.

However, there was one stipulation—she would remain in her home, on her lot, until she died. An agreement was reached and Checci began building with his son Mark. In addition, friend and current Cahen resident Gary Mignano served as architect.

All the while Mrs. Cahen lived in her house, which, according to several residents, was a Quicksilver water tower.
“I’ve heard that Mrs. Cahen climbed up that water tower well into her 80s,” said Cahen resident Dave Ferguson.

“Apparently it was amazing.”

“People kind of looked after her,” commented Sue Ferketich, whose family moved to Cahen 17 years ago. “Mrs. Cahen was friendly with everyone. I wasn’t buddy-buddy with her or anything, but I remember she would give the kids candy and they would love to stop by and see her.”

Since Mrs. Cahen passed away in, according to Ferketich, ’93 or ’94, the Checcis completed their development project, finalizing a vision that at least one woman refers to as Norman Rockwell-style. “It’s a wonderful street,” said Sharon Pardini, who was an original owner on the street. Pardini and her husband, Rich, bought a vacant lot from the Checcis 20 years ago and submitted plans to accomplish their own view of a dream home. “Mike wanted us to submit plans and make sure our thoughts fell in line with theirs.” The result is a personalized street, original and attractive.

“All of the houses are different,” explained Ferketich. “Apparently, Mr. Checci let each of his kids come up with the ideas of what kind of house to build. Our house is actually modeled after his house.”

In social aspects, residents have maintained gracious family values instilled by the Cahens. “It’s the type of neighborhood where you tell the kids, ‘be back at dinner,’ and they come back and you don’t worry about them because everybody watches out for everybody else,” said Pardini. “And if somebody does something that they ought not to have, the parents find out.”

Families with school-age children take turns hosting a party prior to trick or treating and an annual gift exchange on Christmas. “It’s a nice time,” said Ferguson. “There are a lot of little kids around here and we get together and go off in a couple of different groups trick or treating. The older kids sort of segregate themselves from the younger and do their thing and vice-versa.”

Mun, who at 25, was not invited to participate in trick or treating this past Halloween, personified Cahen ideology stating, “No jealousy, here. Kids my age had our chance. I love living on Cahen. It’s like transcending time on both ends, traveling from the Wild West into the 23rd century.”

Little known to Mun, who is still educating himself on Cahen lore, allegedly, there is a picture floating around with Mr. Cahen posing as a 4-year-old with Wild Bill Cody—in Almaden. Perhaps Cahen still is more cowboy ‘n’ wild West than cyborg ‘n’ Silicon Valley?

—By Justin Petersen