Historical Downtown San Jose, CA

With so much history in Downtown San Jose, Diana and I decided it would be fun to explore the past over the weekend. On Saturday, I met up with my good friends Hania and Aravind for lunch and invited them to stroll a few blocks together to hunt for historical markers.

Here are some of the things we learned.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: San Jose Academy
 Founded 1850, held it's first graduation in December 1851 which was the earliest in the state! It could also be considered a forerunner of California's oldest chartered college - UOP because San Jose Academy's principal - Reverand Edward Bannister went on to be UOP's president.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: New Century Block
Built in 1880 by a prominent San Jose businessman, Adolf Pfister. Commemorated for  it's 19th century commerical architecture.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Labor Temple
Jack London wrote the end of The Call of the Wild and parts of The Sea Wolf in one of the offices here.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Trinity Episcopal Church
Constructed in 1863, it is the oldest church building in California.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: St. James Park
This area was the heart of nineteenth century San Jose. Still a beautiful park!

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Sainte Claire Club
San Jose's oldest men's club has occupied this handsome structure since its construction in 1893.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: First Church of Christ, Scientist
Built in 1905.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Santa Clara County Courthouse
I am getting arrested in front of the Santa Clara County Courthouse. Completed in 1867 in hopes to bring State Legislature back to SJ. The official marker is the photograph above this one.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Main Post Office
It's not the main one anymore! But, it's gorgeous!

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Bank Of America Building
One of SJ's earliest skyscrapers,  now dwarfed by many other buildings in downtown.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Knox-Goodrich Building
Built in 1889.

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ADV 3: Hysterical Landmarks: Letitia Building
Built in 1890.