Giraffes in Fountain Alley
Peralta Adobe
The oldest building in San Jose today is known as the Peralta Adobe. It was built in 1797 by Manuel Gonzalez, an Apache native who came to the area as part of the Anza Expedition, helped found San Jose, and became the second Alcalde, the equivalent of mayor of San Jose. Luís María Peralta, whom the house is now named after, purchased the house after Gonzalez’s death. He too had arrived with the Anza Expedition and became a leader in the pueblo as the Comisionado, something like the sheriff of San Jose. Peralta also lived in the adobe until his death. Today you can see the adobe right in San Pedro Square while you enjoy a meal. You can go to HistorySanJose.org to sign up for a tour and to learn more about the building.
Artwork Honoring Ernesto Galarza
The art work is large and includes much to consider and learn about Ernesto Galarza; activist, educator, author, and defender of human rights. The above captures just one piece of the public artwork in downtown San Jose, a part of the poem that is on the art and also included below.
Could Be
I only sang
because the lonely road was long;
and now the road and I are gone
but not the song.
I only spoke
the verse to pay for borrowed time
and now the clock and I are broken
but not the rhyme.
Possibly,
the self not being fundamental,
eternity
breathes only on the incidental.
– Ernesto Galarza
City in a Mural
San Jose Facts
Second boundaries of San José:
To move to higher and drier ground that would not flood so much, the Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe moved a little south in 1797 to a new part of the land. Sometimes thought of as New Town, the boundaries were from just north of present day St. John Street to midway between San Carlos Street and Auzerais Avenue, Market Street, to the westerly area of San Pedro Street.
Source: Clyde Arbuckle’s history of San José, book by Clyde Arbuckle, 1986, page 13.
Civic Center
Mural near Empire Street
Downtown Ice
San Fernando Street Mural
San Jose Facts
Founded on 11/29/1777 as Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe, the first boundaries of San José were: Guadalupe River, current West Hedding, North First, and Hobson streets.
Sometimes thought of as Old Town, these boundaries contained the homes of the settlers. The surrounding area east of the Guadalupe River was used for resources and grazing land. The area west of the Guadalupe River was intended to be used by the Mission Santa Clara for resources and grazing land.
Source: Clyde Arbuckle’s history of San José, book by Clyde Arbuckle, 1986, page 10.