As presented to the Historic Landmarks Commission in Fall 2019:

1870's-1925: Origins and National Identity

• Society of California Pioneers started in 1850 during the Gold Rush.

• Frederick Hall publishes first History of San Jose in 1871.

• California Pioneers of Santa Clara County founded 1875 with 400 members, in 1886 plans began to erect a monument to James W. Marshall near Coloma, and in the 1880s began the mission preservation movement in California.

• Construction of Statehouse Replica in San Jose in 1899.

• 1902 statewide Native Sons of the Golden West (led by Joseph Russell Knowland) called for the appointment of a historic landmarks committee charged with the responsibility of investigating and reporting upon condition of historic buildings throughout the State and suggest practical methods for their preservation. Rise of historical societies and landmark clubs, including the 1902 founding of the California Historic Landmarks League.

• 1915 State established California Historical Survey Commission at UC Berkeley (to become California State Historical Association).

• 1916 Native Daughters of the Golden West build Pioneer Cabin at Alum Rock Park.

1925-1940: Identification and Commemoration

• State and Federal programs initiated in support of preservation activities.

• Fiesta De Las Rosas Parade established in 1926 in an effort to re-imagine California's Spanish Colonial past in San José. In 1927 the Fiesta merged with the 150th celebration of the founding of El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe, with descendants of Californio families recognized as founders.

• 1927-1928 creation of State Park Commission and first state survey of landscape and historic sites (by Frederick Law Olmstead), and bond issue for acquisition of historic sites.

• 1931 Assembly Bill 171 establishes State Landmarks register (with owner consent).

• Program of directional markers initiated at the state level.

• Reconstruction work of CCC during Depression and creations of HABS in 1935.

• Local advocacy for preservation by Senator Herbert C. Jones during the 1930s.

1944-1968: First phase of local preservation efforts

• 1944 Citizens’ Planning Council of Greater San Jose establishes Historic Landmarks Committee and creates list of 18 Historic Sites and Monuments – holds community dinner June 6, 1945.

• 1945-1946 establishment of Historic Landmarks Commission (first in State) and City Historian Clyde Arbuckle appointment by City Council, commission begins marker program. Markers later removed and replaced by the Redevelopment Agency.

• 1949 Second statehouse replica part of State Centennial and establishment of the Historical Museum of San Jose (in the relocated replica at the Fairgrounds), relocation funded by the Chamber of Commerce.

• 1954 downtown businesses advocate for extension of North Second Street through St. James Park, narrowly passing by public vote in 1955.

• 1958 Founding of the Urban Renewal Agency and demolition of 1887 City Hall and Firehouse One.

• 1961 City Council passes emergency ordinance enacting design review over properties around St. James Park.

• 1961-1962 Santa Clara County Preliminary Inventory of Historical Landmarks published.

• 1963 students and alumni lobby the State College Board of Trustees to save Tower Hall from demolition, with Senator Al Alquist a pivotal advocate.

• 1964 Advocacy of the creation of Pioneer Village (i.e. San Jose Historical Museum), Historic Landmarks Commission proposes creation of historic town at Kelley Park, approved by City Council in 1965.

• 1965 saving of the Roberto Adobe through efforts of Theron Fox and HLC by getting highway 280 moved 15 feet to the north.

• 1965 Japanese Friendship Garden opened in Kelley Park on Senter Road.

• 1966 the first building (Doctor's Office) was moved from Santa Clara to the San Jose Historical Museum on Senter Road. Two additional buildings were relocated to the park by the 1971 opening, the Print Shop from North San Pedro Street, and the Coyote Post Office from Coyote Valley.

• 1966 Site of Peralta Adobe (now known as the Gonzales/Peralta Adobe) purchased by City. 1967 secured funding for purchase of Bohnett collection for museum with Ernest Renzel advancing the cash for purchase.

• 1968 City begins new construction at the Museum grounds with two warehouses to house collections from the Fairgrounds museum building and the Bohnett collection..

1966-1984: Codification and Beginnings of Preservation Planning

• National Historic Preservation Act passed by Congress in 1966 included Title I establishing the National Register of Historic Places and the Section 106 process for Federal Undertakings. 1969 National Environmental Policy Act established procedures, and Executive Order 11593 of 1971 expanded the responsibilities of Federal agencies in the “Protection and Enhancement of the Cultural Environment.” In San Jose, resulted in 1978 Section 106 requirements on San Antonio Plaza and Block B Redevelopment Projects and 1980 Guadalupe channelization project (at River Street).

• In 1969, the 1926-1932 Fiesta De Las Rosas Parade and Carnival was revived with the advocacy of Luis G. Juarez, Community Development Directory, as a means of celebrating the city's diversity. The project however had a rocky start as five local Mexican-Americans sued the planners to try and block the fiesta, alleging that the promotional literature was offensive and celebrated the conquest and (Native American) enslavement by the Spanish and missionaries. Although about a dozen Mexican-American groups pledged their support, the parade saw the arrest of 23 protestors and injuries to around 30. After the event, the legal dispute was settled, but the organizing group disbanded.

• 1970 California Environmental Quality Act passed for public projects and expanded to private projects in 1972 after the Friends of Mammoth court case. Guidelines published in 1973 included historical and cultural resources (1998 Guidelines added criteria related to California Register)

• 1971 City Council establishes Policy for Markers of Points of Interest.

• 1971. On June 18 for the first time the historical museum on Senter Road is open to the public.

• 1971 Sourisseau Academy for State & Local History founded at SJSU.

• 1975 (November) City Council adopted Historic Preservation Ordinance advocated by Vice-Mayor Roy Naylor. Opposed by Taxpayers Unanimous, Dr. Terry Christensen and Tom King argued for expanding ordinance to districts.

• 1976-1977 Holiday Inn Garage Native American burial ground uncovered creating heated controversy between Muwekma Ohlone tribe and City, ultimately resulting settlement that governs Native American burials in the downtown.

• 1977 First ten landmarks designated by City Council.

• Parks Department publishes A Handbook for the Preservation of Landmarks in San Jose.

• 1977-1981 Comprehensive survey of Central Planning Area (Phase I) partially funded by California Office of Historic Preservation conducted by Urban/Rural Conservation for the Parks and Recreation Department. 1800 properties identified, and 300 representative properties recorded and added to the Statewide list of resources. In 1978 City Council added the 300 recorded properties to the list of landmarks to create the “official survey of historic places.” In 1979 Phase II began to reclassify all 1800 properties according to level of significance, identify conservation areas, and develop a preservation planning program.

• 1983 Redevelopment Agency publishes The San Jose Preservation Plan.

• 1984 Horizon 2000 General Plan adopted that included a Major Strategy for Urban Conservation/Preservation as well as Goals and Policies for Aesthetic, Cultural and Recreational Resources, and Areas of Historic Sensitivity around St. James Park and The Alameda.

1971-1989: Institutionalization of Preservation Advocacy by Avocational Historians

• Early 1970s the planning and local participation in the National and City bi-centennials brings focus on history via the San Jose Mercury News.

• 1971 Chinese Culture Gardens established at Overfelt Park through the efforts of Frank and Pauline Lowe and Dr. Chen Li-Fu.

• 1971 HLC fights unsuccessfully for a Statehouse replica on Market Street.

• 1971 San Jose Historical Museum Association (now History San Jose) formed with History Museum on Senter Road formally opening in June – Fairgrounds museum site closes.

• 1972 Master Plan for History Museum for 74 buildings presented.

• 1973 Print Shop is first building moved onto Historical Museum site.

• 1973-1974 to 1977 Peralta Adobe historic park funding and work.

• 1973-1974 Save the Hayes Mansion Committee formed. By 1980 Frontier Village was gone and 1983 Redevelopment Agency purchased mansion – reopened as Renaissance Center in 1994.

• 1973-1974 Visual Inventory of Historic and Archeological Sites in San Jose (King Survey) - 14 city-side Planning Areas and 18 subdivisions within the Central Planning Area. Volunteers coordinated by Parks Department at San Jose Historical Museum identified and inventories around 1,000 buildings and sites with $5,000 funding by City.

• 1975 Historic Landmarks Commission publishes the first Inventory of Historical and Architectural Heritage based on the King Survey –200 make final cut at HLC with 83 candidate landmarks.

• 1975 HLC requests moratorium on demolition of historical buildings stating concerns about Lincoln School and Fredricksburg Brewery, supported by Mayor Janet Gray Hayes.

• Late 1975 - Demolition of Murphy Building after first lawsuit related to historic preservation (Albert Carillo plaintiff) that had required an EIR.

• 1978 Urban/Rural Conservation nominates St. James Square to National Register, listed in 1979, for Museum and Parks Department responding to community advocacy arising in 1976 that tried to get the street removed from the park.

• 1978 History of Black Americans in Santa Clara Valley published.

• 1980-1981 Transit Mall planning results in National Register Commercial National Register District.

• Ca. 1981 Ryland Tower proposal opposed by HLC (see next milestone).

• 1983 Hensley Historic District National Register nomination by residents, and 1990 local Landmark District by City adding 24 additional properties to the earlier National Register list.

• 1983 Eagles Hall demolition and “facadism.” Horizon 2000 adopted the following year included St. James Park environs as area of historic sensitivity.

• 1982-1886 The Alameda was a subject of a Negative Declaration protest by the HLC of the proposed demolition of 1680 The Alameda (Gummer House) in December 1, 1982 which ultimately resulted in The Alameda Study, Landmark nomination and designation, design guidelines, General Plan Amendment, and zoning overlay.

• 1981 and 1985-1987 HLC puts together comprehensive Inventory of Historic Resources by 1985, and in 1986 the City Council adopts and authorizes HLC and staff to maintain inventory (Resolution 58957). Inventory booklet published January 1987. Defined boundaries of Conservation Areas and designated Landmark and National Register Districts. Preservation program moves from Parks to Planning Departments and first Historic Preservation Office assigned.

• 1986-1887 City Council adopts Historic House Preservation Policy for relocations during period of airport approach clearance and Guadalupe-Auzerais Redevelopment Area adoption. Seven buildings moved to Historical Museum and North Nineteenth Street infill project.

• 1987 Garden City Bank Building demolished within San Antonio Plaza Redevelopment Project Area.

• 1989 Plan for the Past adopted by City Council outlining 23 action items and 9 implementation measures from the Committee for the Past chaired by Councilwoman Judy Stabile (1988-1989).

• 1989 Fallon Statue, commissioned by the RDA at the urging of Mayor Tom McEnery sent into exile for 12 years until after completion of the Historical Public Art program.

• 1989-1990 Founding of Preservation Action Council of San Jose by Karita Hummer.

1990-1998: Historic Preservation Takes Center Stage

• 1990-1991 HLC participates in Downtown Strategy Plan and tries to self-survey downtown.

• 1990 PACSJ obtains National Trust grant to study First Church of Christ Scientist.

• 1990 Mills Act contract ordinance goes before City Council.

• 1991-1995 PACSJ sues to stop demolition of Scheller House at San Jose State University. Moved in 2000, reopened in 2002, and moved again and restored in 2020.

• 1992 Historical Overview and Context of San Jose by Glory Anne Laffey, including grid of identified themes based on Santa Barbara County Element model.

• 1992 Survey Handbook prepared by Glory Anne Laffey based on 1986 OHP handbook.

• 1992 limited city-wide survey focused on URM buildings prepared by Glory Anne Laffey.

• 1992-1993 Demolition of Weir Building results in 30-year-old limitation repeal of landmark designation ordinance in November (with testimony by Frank Lloyd Wright protégé Aaron Green) - replaced by Villa Torino.

• 1992 Baker Ranch Landmarking results in Council Policy adopted to distinguish between landmark sites and structures.

• 1992-1996 California Office of Historic Preservation signs Memorandum of Agreement with PACSJ for River Street historic area beginning long preservation campaign.

• 1992-2004 Fox California committees, chaired by Vice Mayor Blanca Alvarado and Irene Dalis, results in a long drawn-out study for rehab and reuse, but re-opening after 5 year restoration in 2004.

• 1992 Seismic Retrofit program initiated by City in response to Loma Prieta Earthquake.

• 1992-1993 Burbank Survey by County of Santa Clara within San Jose sphere of influence.

• Ca. 1994 PACSJ begins Jose Theater task force to save building.

• 1993 naming of Convention Center modified by HLC objections to proposal.

• Cherilyn Widell, a founding member of PACSJ appointed as SHPO.

• 1994 Demolition of Wilcox House on North Eleventh Street results in policy on delaying demolitions of candidate resources.

• 1990s County Courthouse reopened after rehab with FEMA funds (first PACSJ advocacy project).

• 1993 Fallon House phase one rehab completed and opened to public.

• 1994 (June) 401 Club on South First Street burns - one of the oldest wood structures in the downtown.

• 1995 HLC unsuccessfully tries to save Costa Hall on South Third Street from demolition.

• 1995 Unitarian Church badly damaged by fire but quickly rebuilt in 1996.

• 1996 Programmatic Agreement by City and Advisory Council and SHPO on residential rehab using Federal funding.

• 1996 Antioch Baptist Church granted landmark status.

• 1996 California Preservation Foundation annual conference in San Jose.

• 1996 HLC begins advocacy under Chair Jim Zetterquist regarding collections stored in the Stockton Avenue Warehouse.

• 1996 HLC and Museum Association initiate plans for a Third Statehouse replica for State Sesquicentennial but project dropped by newly hired Museum director.

• 1997 Andrew P. Hill House moved by Victorian Preservation Association to History Museum.

• 1997 Proposed Miguelita Bridge demolition near San Jose Country Club results in neighborhood preservation advocacy group.

• 1998 Fredkins Market demolished. City sues and is granted monetary restitution.

• 1993-1998 Historical Museum privatized and reconstituted as History Park managed by History San Jose, transferred in 1998.

• Late 1990s VTA surveys of East Santa Clara and Vasona Line

• 1998 Death of Clyde Arbuckle, City Historian and appointment of Paul Bernal as subsequent Official City Historian.

• Planning begins for the construction of the Mexican Heritage Plaza - Centro Cultural de San José in the Mayfair neighborhood of East San José. a Chicano/Mexican-American cultural center. Opened in 1999, and transferred to the School of Arts and Culture at MHP in 2011.

1998-2020: Conflict to Evolving Partnerships in Preservation

• 1998 Revision of CEQA Guidelines to include California Register criteria.

• 1998 Jose Theater and Montgomery Hotel lawsuits, Montgomery Hotel moved in 2000. PACSJ, HLC, and Mayor Ron Gonzales receive Governor’s Award.

• 1998 City Council Policy on Preservation of Landmarks adopted (amended in 2006).

• 1999 Single Family Design Guidelines adopted.

• 2000 BART surveys, Airport Approach zone survey.

• 2000 hiring of first full-time Historic Preservation Officer (Courtney Damkroger) as well as Dolores Mellon at RDA.

• 2000 Downtown Survey conducted resulting in 13 new landmarks.

• 2000-2007 re-discovery, National Register listing, and burning of Donner-Houghton Mansion.

• 2002 HLC opposes History San Jose plan to build massive museum a Peralta-Fallon complex.

• 2002 HLC ad-hoc Survey Committee established and submits outline of path forward for Citywide surveys of the future.

• 2002-2004 Century Center and Mixed-Use Project and development of the Downtown Historic District Guidelines 2003 and Draft Downtown Historic Guidelines 2004.

• 2004 Japantown Survey.

• PACSJ sues City over demolition of IBM Building 25 – burns on March 8, 2008.

• 2004-2012 Accelerated use of Mills Act for residential landmarking. New landmark fees introduced in 2012.

• 2000-2011 neighborhood surveys from SNI program to preserve neighborhoods. Including Market-Almaden, South Campus (Reed Historic District), Spartan Keys (Martha Gardens), Delmas (Lake House) Guadalupe/Washington, 13th Street NAC and Greater Gardner.

• 2008-2010 Demolition of Martin Luther King Jr. Library, City Council Study Session on Historic Preservation (Oct. 23, 2008), and ad-hoc Historic Preservation Stakeholders Committee, resulting in streamlining of landmark process and new Guidelines for Historic Report.

• 2009 San Jose Modernism Study by PACSJ funded by National Trust and RDA.

• Envision San Jose 2040 General Plan Existing Setting and Cultural Resources Impact Report published.

• 2011 Work begins on Vietnamese Heritage Gardens on Roberts Avenue near Kelley Park.

• 2011 Urban Village context statements by Basin Research for The Alameda, North First Street, East Santa Clara/Alum Rock Avenue, and West San Carlos Street.

• 2017 McDonnell Hall listed as National Landmark

• 2017 San Jose Sign Project initiated.