History in Downtown
San Jose

Discover the Stories Behind Downtown San Jose

Uncover the City’s History,
One Landmark at a Time

Step into San Jose’s vibrant past with our self-guided Historic Walking Tour. Journey through downtown to explore 24 iconic sites, each telling a unique story of the city’s evolution from farmland to Silicon Valley. With QR code markers guiding the way, immerse yourself in the culture, architecture, and history that shaped today’s dynamic San Jose.

Welcome to our self-guided Historic Walking Tour

Discover the heart and soul of San Jose through its rich history. Our self-guided walking tour takes you through the streets of downtown, where each building, alley, and landmark tells a story of the city’s transformation from a farming community to the vibrant Silicon Valley hub we know today. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this tour offers an immersive look into San José’s fascinating past.

Experience the Past, Present, and Future of San Jose

Whether you’re fascinated by colonial history, early American architecture, or the cutting-edge technology of today, this walking tour offers something for everyone. As you explore, take time to reflect on the layers of history that have shaped San José into the dynamic and diverse city it is today. 

QR Code Historic Markers

Our tour offers 24 historic sites, each marked on this map. Each location is marked by a tall green post on the sidewalk. Our online map offers brief descriptions of each historic landmark, so be sure to visit each post to read its full story. 

Chinatown

Location: 194 Market St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1872

From 1872-1887, a large Chinese population occupied this block of Market St. Despite considerable discrimination, the Chinese thrived within their insular community. By the late 1880’s, as downtown business were established along South First St, many saw Chinatown as a barrier to expansion. Unsuccessful efforts were made to dislodge the Chinese until on May 4, 1887, a fire of suspicious origins raced through the dense brick and wooden buildings, destroying the entire community in a matter of hours. Ruined and homeless, the Chinese were forced to relocate.

First State Capital

Location: Market St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1849

California’s first state legislature met on this site on 1849. Prominent San Jose citizens serving as delegates to the constitutional convention had lobbied strenuously to locate the capitol here, knowing that it meant improved business and real estate prospects. The town council purchased a two-story adobe hotel, then under construction, hoping it would be suitable for state government, but San Jose’s tenure as State Capitol was brief. Wile the town made every effort to accomodate the assembly, initial senate sessions were held in a private residence. Hotel facilities were inadequate, and an unusually wet winter caused flooding, making downtown streets impassable. The behavior of some legislators earned the 1849 session the title “The Legislature of One Thousand Drinks.” This inauspicious start, and pressure from others eager to gain prospects for their towns, led to a move to Vallejo in 1851, Benicia in 1853, and finally Sacramento in 1854.

Cathedral Basilica of Saint Joseph

Location: 98-80 Market St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1875

St. Joseph’s was the first church of the Pueblo de San Jose. An original adobe structure was built on the present site in 1803. After a subsequent wooden structure was destroyed by fire in 1875, the present building was begun. Designed by architect Bryan J. Clinch, this edifice continues to house San Jose’s oldest seat of Christian worship. Both on the national and state lists of historical landmarks, the Cathedral contains hand-painted murals, stained glass windows, impressive artworks and custom-built organ. In 1990, a million dollar renovation was completed.

The Juzgado

Location: 39-49 Market St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1798

On this site stood the juzgado (hoosegow) of the Pueblo de San Jose. Built of adobe in 1798, it housed the jail, court and offices of the comisionado and alcade, and was the pubelo;s primary governmental building. When Captain Thomas Fallon and his volunteers took possision of the town during the Mexican-American was, he signaled victory on July 14, 1846, by raising the U.S. flag, the first to fly permanently in Santa Clara County, over the juzgado.

Electric Light Tower

Location: 1-27 Market St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1881

When completed in 1881, the 237-foot electric light tower that once spanned the intersection of Market and Santa Clara Streets was the largest single source of electric light in the U.S. The brainchild of J.J. Own, founder of the San Jose Mercury newspaper, it was designed to illuminate the entire downtown. While the scheme received tremendous national publicitity, local reactions were mixed. The tower remained in operation until it blew down in a storm in 1915.

San Jose Mercury News

Location: 55 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1851

San Jose’s first newspaper was published on this site on June 20, 1851. Known as the San Jose Weekly Visitor, it was the City’s first permanent newspaper. The paper changed owners and mastheads several times before becoming the San Jose Weekly Mercury in 1861. In 1901, B.A. and J.O. Hayes bought the paper, merging it wiht the San Jose Herald. The Hayes Brother, whose vast wealth derived from their Wisconsin iron mine, saw the press as a vehicle for political reform. The Hayes family controlled the paper until 1952, when it was purchased by Ridder Publications. In 1974, Knight Newspaper merged with Ridder to form a new company, Knight-Ridder.

College of Notre Dame

Location: 225 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1851

The sisters of Notre Dame de Namur founded their college on this site in 1851. The facility began modestly but eventually expanded to occupy the entire north side of Santa Clara street from Almaden Avenue to Santa Teresa Street. A boarding school for young ladies, the College was known for its high academic standards. In 1868, it became California’s first chartered development began to threaten the college’s bucolic isolation; the campus was moved to Belmont in 1923.

IBM

Location: N Almaden Blvd, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1952

In 1952, IBM sent Reynold Johnson to San Jose to open its first West Coast development laboratory to research new data storage methods. At this site in 1955, IBM unveiled RAMAC (Random Access Method of Accounting and Control), the world’s first system for storing computer data on magnetic disks. The technology is the basis for many of today’s computer applications. In 1984, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers named RAMAC an International Historic Merchanical Engineering Landmark. In 1986, Rey Johnson received the National Medal of Technology from Presdient Reagan.

Peralta Adobe

Location: 198-176 W St John St, San Jose, CA 95110

Year: 1787

The Peralta Adobe, named for Luis Maria Peralta, is San Jose’s oldest Spanish structure (1787) and the last tangible remnant of Pueblo de San Jose. Purchased by the city in 1966, and restored in 1976, it is maintained by the City and is treasured for its rich architectural and historical significance.

Thomas Fallon House

Location: 101 San Pedro Cir, San Jose, CA 95110

Year: 1854

This house was built by Thomas Fallon in 1854. A handsome, charismatic figure, Fallon was one of San Jose’s most prominent 19th century citizens. Fallon captained the volunteer company that seized San Jose from the Mexican government, served in the California Battalion of John C. Fremont and, in 1859, was elected mayor. His house, surrounded by a pear orchard and magnificent gardens, was one of San Jose’s most impressive residences. The building was enlarged at the turn of the century and adapted for commercial use.

Birthplace of A.P. Giannini

Location: 26 N San Pedro St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1870

Amadeo Peter Giannini, founder of the Bank of Italy-now the Bank of America- was born at 79 North Market Street on May 6, 1870. The son of Italian immigrants, Giannini is considered by many to be a major figure in American banking. A liberal in a conservative field, he revolutionized and humanized banking practices, creating the world’s larget and most powerful branch-banking system while maintaining his commitment to the ideal of equal treatment and opportunity for all people.

Main Post Office

Location: 105 N First St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1933

Designed by Ralph Wyckoff as San Jose’s Main Post Office and built as a W.P.A. project in 1933, it is a prime example of Depression-Era federal construction. The terra cotta work on the building’s exterior is particulalry fine. Although the Main Post Office has since relocated, this building continues to serve downtown as a branch post office. 

Santa Clara County Courthouse

Location: 151 N First St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1867

Completed in 1867 and designed by noted local architect Levi Goodrich, this imposing building was constructed in the hope of attracting the State Legislature’s return to San Jose. Originally two-storied with a central dome, the present third story was added after the dome collapsed in a 1931 fire. The courthouse was renovated and restored in 1973, only to be damaged again in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Reopened in 1994, it continues its use as a county courthouse.

King Conservatory of Music Germania Hall

Location: 267-255 N 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95112

Year: 1895

These structures housed the King Conservatory of Music, one of the earliest music schools in San Jose. The school occupied two matching two-story Victorians and an auditorium designed by local architect F.D. Wolf. Named for its founder, F. Loui King , the conservatory was one of San Jose’s leading cultural and educational institutions between 1895 and 1920. After the conservatory’s closing, the buildings were taken over by the Germani Verein, a social and cultural club formed by German settlers in 1856. Since 1923 Germania Hall has been a center for San Jose’s German-American community. 
 
 

California National Guard Armory

Location: 240 N 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95112

Year: 1933

Built in 1933, the California National Guard Armory was funded by the U.S. Works Progress Administration (WPA) during the Depression. This structure reflects a Spanish architectural style and is one of the few known WPA structures remaining in downtown San Jose. Originally constructed to consolidate National Guard Units from the South Bay Area, the Armory is the Headquarters of the California National Guard and Brigade, 40th Infantry Division. This building is a memorial to local veterans who have served their community, state, and nation in times of war and peace. 
 
 

Sainte Claire Club

Location: 54-70 E St James St, San Jose, CA 95112

Year: 1888

The Sainte Claire Club was organized in 1888 by a group of local citizens, including James Phelan, banker, U.S. senator, and former mayor of San Francisco. San Jose’s oldest men’s club has occupied this handsome structure since its construction in 1893. Designed by A. Page Brown, the building has unusual ornamental brick detailing. It was damaged in the 1906 earthquake and restored in 1907.

Scottish Rite Temple

Location: 97 N 3rd St, San Jose, CA 95112

Year: 1924

Built as the Scottish Rite temple in 1924-5, this distinguised structure was designed by architect Carl Werner. The entry portico, with its six Ionic columns and unusual Egyptian onamentation, lends the building a special granduer. In 1981, it was rehabilitated and reopened as the San Jose Athletic Club.

First Unitarian Church

Location: 160 N 3rd St, San Jose, CA 95112

Year: 1867

The First Unitarian Church was organized in 1867. The congregation met in City Hall, with a minister riding on horseback from Santa Cruz to conduct monthly services. The present impressive building was erected in 1891 for a congregation of 100 prominent citizen members. Designed by local architect George M. Page, it has served its congregation continuously since its completion.

Eagles Hall

Location: 110 N 3rd St, San Jose, CA 95112

Year: 1909

Local Scottish Rite Masons built a hall here in 1909. Designed by George Page, it was a simple rectangular structure with a severe Greek Revival facade. The Masons moved into their new Scottish Rite Temple in 1925. This building was eventually purchased by the Fraternal Order of Eagles who occupied it until 1982. It was demolished in 1984 to make wat for new construction. Only the entry portico, with its Doric columns, remains.

Trinity Episcopal Church

Location: Central San Jose, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1863

This Carpenter Gothic church was constructed in 1863 and is the oldest continuously used church building in San Jose. Designed and built by John W. Hammond, a sea captain and member of the parish, it was a simple rectangle with a steeply hipped roof constructed largely of redwood logged in the Santa Cruz Mountains. In 1876, the church was cut in half and the front shifted to face North Second Street, doubling the building’s capacity. A bell tower was added at this time. A top story and steepl were added in 1887.

Labor Temple

Location: 72 N 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1911

The San Jose Labor Temple, located at 72 North Second Street, was a hub of the city’s turn-of-the-century labor movement. It was established informally between 1901 and 1903 by Harry Ryan, an early San Jose labor leader, and Jack London, the famous California author. London wrote the last portion of his classic, The Call of the Wild, as well as parts of The Sea Wolf, here in Harry Ryan’s office. The building was the San Jose Labor Temple from 1911 to 1948. It was demolished in the early 1950’s.

New Century Block

Location: E Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1880

This splendid structure was built in 1880 by Adolf Pfister, a prominent San Jose businessman who served three times as the city’s mayor. The building was added to twice in later years. A fine example of 19th century commercial architecture, it has undergone several interior remodelings and was substantially renovated in 1984-5.  

Bank of America Building

Location: 12 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1925

One of San Jose’s earliest skyscrapers, this building has been a local landmark since its construction in 1925-6. The Bank of America, originally known as the Bank of Italy, was founded by San Jose native A.P. Giannini in 1904. Although the bank was based in San Francisco, Giannini, established his first out-of-town branch in San Jose. This handsome structure was designed by architect H.A. Minton as headquarters for the bank’s San Jose branches.

Knox-Goodrich

Location: 25-51 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1889

This charming commercial structure was built in 1889 by Sarah Knox-Goodrich on property inherited from her first husband, Dr. William Knox, and using sandstone from the quarry owned by her second husband, Levi Goodrick. Both men were important San Jose citizens. Knox and his brother-in-law T. Ellard Beans established San Jose’s first bank. Goodrich was a prominent architect. Sarah Knox-Goodrich, a strong advocate of women’s rights, organized the San Jose’s Woman Suffrage Association in 1869. She died in 1903 and was buried between her two husbands in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Letitia Building

Location: 70 S 1st St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1890

This commercial building, designed by Jacob Lenzen and constructed in 1890, was named for Letitia Burnett Ryland, daughter of California’s first state governor, Peter H. Burnett and wife of San Jose councilman C.T. Ryland. According to rumor, Peter Burnett’s election was helped, in a Gold Rush state where men far outnumbered women, by the presence of his three beautiful daughters.

Herrold Radio Broadcasting Station

Location: 50 W San Fernando St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1909

Radio pioneer Charles Herrold opened his College of Engineering and Wireless in the Garden City Bank Building in 1909. A year later, he and his students were the first to broadcast scheduled music and news programs to a mass audience (instead of to individual radio head-sets). His wife Sybil, playing records on a wind-up phonograph and aiming the sound as a microphone, became the first woman disc jockey in the country. By 1912, they were taking listener requests. Together they also initiated commercial radio advertising. A tireless experimenter, Charles Herrold developed more than fifty radio-related inventions.

Bickur Cholim

Location: 144 S Third St, San Jose, CA 95112

Year: 1861

San Jose’s first Hebrew congregation – Bickur Cholim – was founded August 5, 1861. Prior to building their first facility on this site in 1870, the congregation met in City Gall and at various locations downtown. Used continuously until 1940, it was rendered unsafe by a fire that started in the sanctuary. Kurt Opper, a member of the congregation and a refugee from Nazi Germany, saved the Torah from burning. In 1948 a new facility, Temple Emanu-El, was built at Myrtle and University Streets.

San Jose Academy

Location: 101 Second St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1850

The San Jose Academy was founded on this site in 1850 as Edward Bannister’s English and Classical School. It held its first graduation ceremony, the earliest in the state, in December, 1851. A private, nonsectuarian preparartory school teaching English and the classics, the Academy, although not under direct control tone. Its principal, Reverend Edward Bannister, later became president of the University of the Pacific. The San Jose Academy is considered a forerunner of California’s oldest chartered college.

De Anza Hotel

Location: 233 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113

Year: 1931

Completed in 1931 as a civic eimprovement project during the Great Depression, the Hotel De Anza was named in honor of the Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza. Business and civic leaders established the San Jose Community Hotel ASsociation which sold subscriptsion locaclly to fincacne the hotel. Designed by Architect William H. Weeks and built by Carl N. Swenson, the Hotel De Anza is one of the few donwtown structures that reflect Art Deco and Moderne architectural styles. In 1991 this historic landmark was completly renovated; the exterior was restored and the interior was modernized.

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