History of Santa Clara County, California

 

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I — PAGE 33
Unrivaled Climate and Situation — Origin of Name — Early Inhabitants — Story of the Early Days — Founding of the Missions — Father Junipero Serra — Father Pena — Founding of San Jose— Father Maguire de Catala Plants Trees on Alameda — Mission of Santa Clara — Secularization of Missions — Life on the Early Ranches — The Rodeo — The Matanza — Early Government — Some Grotesque Religious Ceremonies — Bull and Bear Fights — First American Settlers — The Donner Party.

CHAPTER II — PAGE 46
Santa Clara County During the Mexican Rule — The Adventures of Captain Fremont — Don Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo — Raising the Bear Flag — Proclamation of General Jose Castro. War with Mexico Declared — Proclamation of Commodore Sloat — Capt. Charles M. Weber. Juzgado Transformed into Barracks — Battle of Santa Clara — Captain Thomas Fallon Raises First American Flag — Gold is Discovered — Reminiscences of the Days of '49 — Killing of Young Pyle — Local Government — Early Merchants and Buildings of San Jose — Grandma Bascom's Story.

CHAPTER III — PAGE 61
Military Rule — Constitutional Convention — San Jose as Capital of the State — First Legislature Convenes — Removal of Capital — First July 4th Celebration — Boundaries of Santa Clara County — County Government — Court of Sessions — Land Grants and Suertes — San Jose Land Company — Settlers' Leagues Defend Titles — A Trumped-Up Robbery of Public Treasury — List of Spanish and Mexican Land Grants.

CHAPTER IV — PAGE 71
Courts of First Instance — The Early Bar of San Jose — Alcalde Burton's Common Sense — Mule Appears as Witness — District, County and Justice Courts Supersede Courts of Alcalde and First Instance — Judge Watson's Informal Handling of Cases — Eccentricities of Judge Redman — The Lord of Hardscrabble — The First Court House — Judge Almond's Demijohn — Strange Career of Rufus A. Lockwood — Freeman McKinney — The Irrepressible J. Alexander Yoell — Judge Buckner's Quaint Ways of Dispensing Justice — High Standing of Judge Hester — W. Frank Stewart — Change in Court System — Tribute to Judge Belden.

CHAPTER V — PAGE 85
Topography and Geology — The New Almaden Mines — Crime in the Early Days — Outlaws Terrorize the County — Exciting Career of Francisco Soto — Augustin C. Hall Murdered — Santiago Berryessa Kills Pedro Aravena — Francisco Berryessa Stabbed — Murder of Joseph Pellegrini — Juan Jose Rodriguez Killed — Mary Hallock Foote's Mining Camp Stories — Guadalupe Quicksilver Mine — Enrequita Mine — Mineral Springs of the County — The Oil Development.

CHAPTER VI — PAGE 92
Society Events in the Fifties, Sixties and Seventies — Reminiscences of Pioneer Women — Mrs. Mary A. Carroll's Interesting Record — Mrs. Frances A. Sunol-Angus Writes of Early Society — Joseph H. Scull Tells of Festivities — Entertaining Account of San Jose Society by Mrs. S.O. Houghton — Recollections of Dr. Chamblin — Charles G. Ames Bests Judge William T. Wallace in Oratorical Combat — Opening of Hotel Vendome — Distinguished Visitors.

CHAPTER VII — PAGE 101
Passing of Old Landmarks of San Jose — Fair Grounds — Live Oak Park and Prevost's Gardens — Old Court House — Duel Between Thomas Shore and S.J. Crosby — Killing of Jailer Martin Roohan — John Marr Escapes From Jail After Killing Peter Veuve — Jailer Hendricks Killed When Indians Break Jail — Killing of William Cooper — Harry Love Slain — Old Residential Landmarks — Naglee, Henslev and Josiah Belden Homes.

CHAPTER VIII — PAGE 108
Newspapers in the Early Days — San Jose Weekly Visitor — Daily Mercury — J.J. Owen a Striking Figure — His Encounter With Montgomery Maze — Charles M. Shortridge — The Daily Times — The Tribune — The Herald — E.A. and J.O. Hayes — W. Frank Stewart and the Daily Reporter — Mark Twain — The Courier — W.A. January and the Santa Clara Argus — History of Henry C. Hansbrough — Chester H. Hull — Daily Garden City Times Started by Edwin Markham, S.H. Herring, Ferryman Page and E.T. Sawyer — A.P. Murgotten and The Pioneer — Daily Morning Times — H.A. De Lacy Establishes City Item, Now the Evening Times — Charles W. Williams — The Santa Clara Valley Started by Major Foote — His Exciting Experience with a Delegation of Cornish- men — John T. Wallace and E. T. Sawyer Start the Scooper — W.W. Elliott, Editor of the Santa Clara Index — His Experience as a Court Reporter — Allen P. Kelly. Editor of the San Jose Herald. Captures Grizzly Bear — Other Newspapers.

CHAPTER IX — PAGE 118
Early Days of Drama in San Jose — James Stark Establishes First Theater — Samuel W. Piercy Makes His First Appearance There — Name Changed to San Jose Theater — Gustav Brohaska Converts Armory Hall Into San Jose Opera House — Eleanor Calhoun. Now Princess Lazarovich, Makes First Appearance on Stage in E.T. Sawyer's Loyal Hearts with John T. Malone and H.A. De Lacy — California Theater Had Many Notable Stars — Auditorium, Later the Garden City Theater— Victory Theater — The Hippodrome — T. & D. Theater — Lyric Theater — Jose Theater — Liberty Theater — First Amateur Dramatic Company — John W. Dunne — Frank Bacon — John P. Malone — Charles W. Williams — John T. Raymond, California's Star Comedian — Some of the Old-Time Minstrels — Charley Rhoades.

CHAPTER X — PAGE 126
Distinguished Visitors to San Jose and the Santa Clara Valley — Political Orators — George Francis Train — Henry George Unmasks a Mysterious Spook — Bret Hart — Mark Twain — President Harrison's Visit — General Grant Receives Ovation — Lecturers from the East and from Over the Sea — General Fremont Is Guest of Santa Clara County Pioneers — Ned Buntline's Adventurous Career.

CHAPTER XI — PAGE 132
Santa Clara County During the Civil War — San Jose Volunteers — Many Companies Formed — Band of Confederate Sympathizers Rob Stages to Obtain Money for Cause — Ingraham Gang — Methodist Church Burned — Dick Baker Gang — Excitement Over Death of Lincoln.

CHAPTER XII — PAGE 135
The Fruit Industry of County — Largest Prune Producing Section in State — History of the Development — Introduction of French Prune- — Early Orchardists — The First Cannery — Lyman Burrell Has First Mountain Orchard — Dr. J.M. Dawson Pioneer Fruit Canner and Packer — Other Packing Companies — Strawberry Section — Annual Orchard Production — Vineyards and Olive Orchards — Seed Growing Carried on Extensively — Citrus Fruits — Farm Loan Association — Vegetable, Poultry Raising and Dairying. Important Industries — Artesian Wells Supply Water for Irrigation — Growers' Organizations — Santa Clara County Statistics.

CHAPTER XIII — PAGE 145
County Government and Good Roads — Transportation of Passengers in Early Days — Water Transportation — History of Various Important Road and Railway Enterprises — First Railroad Completed — Western Pacific — Narrow Gauge Railroad.

CHAPTER XIV — PAGE 152
Public Buildings of the County — Many Locations of the County Court House — Changes Made by the Legislature — Present Court House a Splendid Building — Futile Attempt to Regain State Capital — New County Jail — Hall of Records — Hall of Justice — County Hospital — County Poor Farm.

CHAPTER XV — PAGE 156
The Resources and Attractions of San Jose, the Garden City of California — Soil, Climate, Production and Opportunity — What a Man from the East Learned from an Old Resident.

CHAPTER XVI — PAGE 162
San Jose Incorporated as City — Organization of Political Parties — First Gas Eights — Water Pipes Laid — Horse Railway on Alameda — Severe Earthquake in 1868 — Disastrous Floods — Story of Tiburcio Vascjuez, Noted Bandit — Street Railroad — John C. Arnold Figures in Remarkable Case of Mistaken Identity — Dick Fellows, Lone Highwayman, Escapes from Constable — Brutal Murder at Los Gatos — W.P. Renowden Tortured and Killed — Lloyd L. Majors Hung for His Murder — Bond Issue of 1886 — New City Charter Defeated — The Dixon-Allen Trial — Electric Tower Erected— Chinatown Destroyed by Fire — Mexican Hanged by Mob — Charles Goslaw Meets Death on Scaffold — Disastrous Fire of 1892 — Henry Planz Murdered — Sextuple Murder — New Charter Adopted — Earth- quake of 1906 — Commission Form of Government Adopted — Mayors of San Jose.

CHAPTER XVII — PAGE 175
San Jose and Santa Clara Activities During the AVorld War — Liberty Loan, Red Cross, Y.M. C.A., Belgian Relief and Other Drives — The Men and Women Who Did the Work.

CHAPTER XVIII — PAGE 194
History of the Lick Observatory on the Summit of Mount Hamilton — The Eccentricities of James Lick, the Philanthropist — Erection of the Lick Mill — The Lick Hotel at San Francisco — What He Did for San Jose.

CHAPTER XIX — PAGE 202
The Story of Alum Rock Park, San Jose's Beautiful Reservation of One Thousand Acres — Judge Richards' Description of Its Beauties and Attractions — The Claim of J.O. Stratton.

CHAPTER XX — PAGE 206
The Attractions of the Big Basin, or California Redwood Park — How It Was Preserved by the Efforts of a San Josean — The Sempervirens Club — The Annual Forest Play in a Natural Setting.

CHAPTER XXI — PAGE 210
The Public and Private Schools of San Jose — The Growth of the High School Constructed on University Plan — The State Teachers' College — College of Notre Dame — College of the Pacific — Other Institutions.

CHAPTER XXII — PAGE 221
The Public Utilities of San Jose — The Early Service of the Gas and Electric Companies — The San Jose Water Company and Its Sure and Steady Progress — The Street Railways in and out of the City — The Post Office and Postmasters.

CHAPTER XXIII — PAGE 227
San Jose Woman's Club — County Alliance — Newman Hall and Club — Sainte Claire Club — Columbia Circle, C.L. S.C. — Lecticonian Society — The Country Club— The Pioneers' Society — American Legion — Law Library and Bar Association — Housewives' League — Daughters of the American Revolution — Musical Clubs and Record — Y.W. C.A. — Club La France — Boy Scouts — Loyal Italo - American Club.

CHAPTER XXIV — PAGE 239
San Jose Board of Trade — San Jose Chamber of Commerce — Merchants Association — Rotary and Lions Clubs — Civic Welfare Club — The 100 Per Cent Club— Labor Organizations — Commercial Club — Pen Women Branch — The Plotwrights — The Western Aero Club.

CHAPTER XXV — PAGE 245
Associated Charities — Good Cheer Club — Home of Benevolence — The Odd Fellows Home — The Pratt Home— Notre Dame Institute — The Salvation Army and Volunteers of America — The Story of Old Bob Bennett — Juvenile Court and Probation Office — The Coffee Club — The Woman's Exchange — Humane Societies — Y.M.C.A. — Boys' Outing Farm — Red Cross Society — W.C.T.U. — Community Shop — Fraternal Orders.

CHAPTER XXVI — PAGE 255
The Sanitariums and Hospitals of San Jose — The Splendid Appointments of the O'Connor Buildings — Columbia Hospital — Santa Clara Medical Society — Dr. Ben Cory.

CHAPTER XXVII — PAGE 258
The History of San Jose Fire Department — Primitive Appurtenances of the Early Days — Volunteer Department for Twenty-Six Years — The Police Department's Growth and Work.

CHAPTER XXVIII — PAGE 262
The Early Churches of San Jose and Their Vicissitudes — History of the San Jose Library — Its Growth from Small Beginnings — The County Free Library — The Carnegie Library.

CHAPTER XXIX — PAGE 266
The Santa Clara Historical Society and Its Objects — Spanish Names for Natural Objects — The Interesting Career of Judge Augustus O. Rhodes, a Nonogenarian.

CHAPTER XXX — PAGE 270
The Banks and Industries of San Jose — Bank of Italy — A Daring Robbery — Garden City Bank and Trust Company — Security State and Savings Bank — First National Bank — Growers Bank — San Jose Foundry — Bean Spray Company — Anderson-Barngrover Company — Smith Manufacturing Company — Sperry Flour Company — Globe Mills — American Can Company — Security Warehouse and Cold Storage Company — Garden City Manufactory- Tile Company — Spray Manufacturing Company — Artificial Leather Company — Wholesale Grocers — The Oliver Company — National Axle Corporation — Plow Factories — Farmers Union — Granite and Marble Works.

CHAPTER XXXI — PAGE 277
The Romantic History of the Town of Santa Clara — Home of One of the Early Missions — The Story of Santa Clara University — Planting of the Mission Cross — Marcello, the Last of the Mission Indians.

CHAPTER XXXII — PAGE 284
Palo Alto and Leland Stanford, Jr., University — The Rapid Growth of One of the Progressive Towns of Santa Clara County — The Location and Uses of a Great Educational Institution.

CHAPTER XXXII — PAGE 289
Los Gatos, the Gem City of the Foothills and Its Environs — The Gateway of the Valley — Gil- roy, the Thriving Little City at the Southern End of the County.

CHAPTER XXXIV — PAGE 294
Other Growing Towns of Santa Clara County — Sunnyvale — Change from Grain Field to Thriving Community — Campbell — Cupertino — Alviso — Milpitas — Agnew — Saratoga — Los Altos — Evergreen — Mountain View — Mayfield — Morgan Hill — Tragic Encounter with a California Lion — Berryessa — Alma — Wrights Station — Ambrose Bierce's Life — Patchen — Mountain Charley's Adventures — Small Towns and Villages.

CHAPTER XXXV — PAGE 306
Miscellaneous Items of Interest — Observations of a Weather Expert — Judge Belden and Mayor Pfister — An Auto Camp — Result of Presidential Elections in the County.

CHAPTER XXXVI — PAGE 308
Federation of American Farmers — Last Relic of Santa Clara Mission — Census Figures — Decorations Received by Santa Clara Boys in World War.

 

Read the Book - Free

Download the Book - Free ( 103.2 MB PDF)

By far the most interesting and important feature of the range is the presence of the extensive deposits of cinnabar in the metamorphic cretaceous rocks at the New Almaden mines, fourteen miles southwest of San Jose and lying in a ridge east of the main range.