San Jose's Historic DowntownSan Jose is the "Capital of the Silicon Valley," the high-rise, economic engine of advanced technology. Yet it was once a verdant valley, inhabited by wildlife, waterfowl, and the native Ohlone people. The Spanish who founded California's first civilian settlement here in 1777 named it for Saint Joseph, the patron saint of the Spanish Expedition. Their farms fed the soldiers at the Monterey and San Francisco presidios, beginning an agricultural industry that thrived for nearly 200 years. Although serving briefly as California's first state capital, for many decades downtown was the somewhat sleepy commercial center of the Santa Clara Valley. A housing and population expansion that began in the 1950s exploded with San Jose's rebirth as a technological mecca. |
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Contents
Acknowledgments | 6 |
Introduction | 7 |
Early Days | 9 |
Banks Businesses and Building Downtown | 19 |
The Seat of Government | 39 |
School Days | 51 |
Out and About Town | 65 |
Scandals Tragedies Disasters and Calamities | 79 |
Pleasures Pastimes and Hospitality | 93 |
Above Downtown | 107 |
A Sense of Community | 113 |
Other editions - View all
San Jose's Historic Downtown Lauren Miranda Gilbert,Bob Johnson,San Jose Public Library No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
architect Auditorium automobile Avenue Bank of Italy became block Brothers building built California Center Church City Hall clock College Company completed considered construction corner cost Courtesy of San courthouse damage dedicated demolished designed downtown San Jose early earthquake east fire followed Fourth Horace Mann Hotel interior James Jose State University Jose's late later Light located looking March Market Street million moved Naglee Normal School North northwest once opened original Pacific Park passed photograph picture Plaza post office Public Library replaced roof Sainte San Carlos San Fernando Streets San Francisco Santa Clara County Santa Clara Street seat Second Street seen served shows side Sourisseau Academy South First Street southeast Southern space stands stood structure Sunset taken Theatre third tower town University Special Collections Valley West