Lot 402 Photobook

This is a story about a photobook that was found at 15335 NW Aberdeen.  This photobook contains photos of the townhomes being built and other old photos of Claremont.   Who made the photobook and why?  What does it show?

The photobook starts with about 12 photos of Claremont.  These photos look like professional photos used as an aid to sell lots.  The photobook was probably given to people encouraging them to show their friends information about Claremont which might help sell more homes.  Originally, the book is mostly empty and home buyers can add photos of their home as it is built.

This is the photobook picture of Dennis & Carol Soleheim on October 2, 1996 when they decided to purchase a Claremont Greens Townhome.  The actual purchase was concluded on May 5, 1997 after the townhome was ready for occupation.  The sign is for lot 405 but they eventually purchased lot 402.  Both 405 and 402 are the center unit in a water-feature triplex .  

At the time of this photo the foundation has not been started.  Large boulders for the water features are visible behind the couple.  Two new homes on St. Andrews are visible.  

This is my photo of Lin McAtee in front of 15335 NW Aberdeen Drive on October 12, 2023.  This townhome was completed 26 years ago and it blocks the view of the water features and the homes on St. Andrews.  However, the tops of new trees along the water feature can be seen in the upper right corner.  

This is where the photobook was found.  

Professional Photos of Claremont before 1996

Photobook picture.  The sign says "PRO SHOP."  The roof is cedar shakes.  The walls have vertical battons.  Notice the fancy decoration above the front doors.

October 2023 picture.  The sign says "GOLF SHOP."  Composit shingles are on the roof.  The siding is a horizontal Hardieplank-type.  

Photobook picture.  The sign says "Claremont Country Club." 

October 2023 picture.  The sign says "Claremont."  The roof has changed from cedar shakes to composite shingles.  The exterior has been replaced with Hardieplank-type material.

Photobook picture of the Fireside room in the clubhouse.  

October 2023 picture.  Notice how much has not changed.  

Photobook picture of Claremont, partially developed.  In the upper right corner Bethany Boulevard is being developed.  The golf course may be finished but does not have a path for golf carts.  At the top of the photo are fields.

Google Earth image from June of 2022.  In the upper right corner is a double row of trees that line Bethany Boulevard.  The golf course now has a path for golf carts.  The large buildings of Bethany are visible at the top of the photo.

Picturebook photo of "Claremont Societe Croquet." 

October 2023 picture.

Picturebook photo of the Claremont Townhomes (not the Greens Townhomes).  Visible are pergolas, trellises and vertical battens.  Notice that the trellises are a natural wood color.

October 2023 picture.   The pergolas and trellises are gone.  The siding is now horizontal.

Photos added by Dennis & Carol Soleheim in 1997 as their home is being built.

The above sequence of photos starts in February of 1997 and shows the progress of framing the home.  Most of the photos are not dated.   The home was completed by May 6, 1997.

October 2023 picture of the completed home.  

January 1997 photo looking South from what will become 15335 NW Aberdeen.  First we see Aberdeen Drive with a curb but no sidewalk.  Then we see lot 428 which will become 15338 NW Aberdeen.  Visible at the bottom of the field is Bronson Creek including a bridge (which is still there).  The field is a horse pasture.

October 2023 picture of the same view.  The view of the wetlands is blocked by 15338 and 15344 NW Aberdeen.  The only recognizable landmarks are the manhole cover and the curb.  However, part of the curb has been replaced because of a drain problem.  

January 1997 photo of the Terrace House taken from where the water features will be.

In October of 2023, trees and shrubs completely obscured the Terrace House from the same location.  This photo is from about the same angle but taken from St. Andrews Drive.

February 1997 photo of the back side of 15335 Aberdeen Drive.  In the center of the photo is the start of a chimney for the fireplace at 15335.   This chimney was removed and a box was placed around a gas fireplace.  There is a chimney at each end of this building.   After constructing the Bethany and the water feature townhomes the chimneys were abandoned.

In October of 2023, trees and shrubs completely obscured the back side of 15335 Aberdeen Drive when I attempted to take the photo from the same spot.  This photo was taken from much closer and photoshop was used to get the image to be somewhat similar to the photo on the left.  

February 1997 photo of the Terrace House.  The roof is cedar shakes.  Notice the lack of shrubs and trees.  A small tree can be seen at the right side of the photos.

October 2023 photo of the Terrace House.   Notice how the small tree on the right has grown.  Trees and shrubs obscure most of the Terrace House.  

February 1997 photo of the water feature at the Terrace House circle.  

October 2023 photo of the same water feature.  I had a hard time finding the same camera spot.  Some of the large boulders had been moved and homes had been added after the older photo had been taken.   

February 1997 photo of the water features looking West from behind 15335 Aberdeen.  In the distance construction has begun on the Bethany Boulevard townhomes.

October 2023 photo of the water features looking West.  My! What a change.

Owners of Lot 402, 15335 NW Aberdeen Drive

Claremont Greens Townhomes