This 14-acre park has over 20 historic buildings that were originally built in the mid to late 1800’s. When you first pass through the public entrance, you can bear right to visit the Hill house, home to the renowned local photographer Andrew P. Hill who fought to save the Big Basin redwoods.
Across the street is the Chiechi House that was built in 1876 and was home to a prominent family of orchardists. Next, the Markham House, which was built in the 1860’s, is a Greek Revival home owned by the poet Edwin Markham, who was author of the “Man with a Hoe.” The house is now used as a writing resource center, offering workshops, open readings, children’s writing activities, and a library. The first floor has an exhibit of Edwin Markham memorabilia.
Keep following the road around the plaza and you will reach the Dashaway Stables Lick Livery and Hack Company that was constructed in 1888. The stables held horses and carriages, commonly called “hacks.” Horse drawn carriages and/or drivers could be rented for scenic rides in Santa Clara Valley and surrounding area. The company was a predecessor of today’s taxi and rental car services. The livery was a place where people paid to have their horses fed and stabled.
Built in the 1890′s, the Paulson house is a Queen Anne-style residence furnished with local pioneer artifacts.
Dashaway stables Paulson house
Carriage
Across the street, you will find the Portuguese Historical Museum that features exhibits and stories of Portuguese culture in Santa Clara Valley. The entrance to the museum has an etched glass map depicting the Portuguese history and culture. The first floor hosts a digital Family Album where the family histories of thousands of immigrants and their families who have contributed to the development of California is recorded.
The building next door is the office of Dr. Warburton who was one of the first physicians in the Santa Clara Valley. Born in Staffordshire, England, in 1819, he immigrated to the United States as a surgeon aboard a whaling ship that docked in San Francisco in 1847. First he tried gold mining, but then decided to continue his medical practice.
Portuguese historical museum Dr. Warburton medical office
Bearing right at the intersection, follow the road to the end to visit the Trolley Barn that has an old carriage in front of it. Electric trolleys were the main form of public transportation in Santa Clara Valley in the late 1800’s to mid 1900’s because automobiles were still very expensive. The Trolley Barn was built as a place to restore and house historic trolleys that are still used for public transportation in downtown San Jose. On display are many types of historic vehicles. Tracks extend from the Trolley Barn run across Kelley Park, and on the weekends, visitors can ride the historic streetcars.
Next door to the Trolley Barn is the blacksmith shed where people exhibit blacksmith techniques during festivals and special events.
Trolley barn Blacksmith shed
Following the road back toward the entrance, you will pass the Print Shop, originally built in 1884. It has a false front appearance and distinctive corner decorations. Print shops typically worked on small projects such as brochures, flyers, business cards, and stationary. You can view two antique printing equipment, the 1874 F. M. Weiler Liberty and an 1886 Pearl, are on exhibit. On selected weekends and at special events, Printers’ Guild members demonstrate various presses to create newsletters, invitations and bookmarks with visitors.
The next large building you reach is the Pacific Hotel founded in 1860, which is home to the museum store and gallery. The property was first known as Otter’s Hotel and was purchased by Charles Schiele, a Prussian immigrant and former waiter, who changed its name. As a perspective, in the late nineteenth century, room and board at the Pacific Hotel cost between nine and fifteen dollars.
Printing office Pacific hotel
Bear right around the corner to the far end of the large white building to reach the Bank of Italy. A San Jose native Amadeo Giannini started the Bank of Italy in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1900s. The bank in History Park is a replica of one of the banks. The bank became Bank of America in 1930. Giannini’s practices revolutionized the industry by addressing previously underserved members of the community such as the working class, immigrant populations, and small businesses. Also, the bank financed California’s booming agricultural economy at a time when it was difficult for farmers to get loans, and started a Women’s Banking Department in 1921.
The bank helped finance the Hollywood film industry with loans for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Gone With the Wind, and It’s a Wonderful Life. The Bank of America also financed the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1932 during the heart of the Depression.
Full Review: History Park
This 14-acre park has over 20 historic buildings that were originally built in the mid to late 1800’s. When you first pass through the public entrance, you can bear right to visit the Hill house, home to the renowned local photographer Andrew P. Hill who fought to save the Big Basin redwoods.
Across the street is the Chiechi House that was built in 1876 and was home to a prominent family of orchardists. Next, the Markham House, which was built in the 1860’s, is a Greek Revival home owned by the poet Edwin Markham, who was author of the “Man with a Hoe.” The house is now used as a writing resource center, offering workshops, open readings, children’s writing activities, and a library. The first floor has an exhibit of Edwin Markham memorabilia.
Keep following the road around the plaza and you will reach the Dashaway Stables Lick Livery and Hack Company that was constructed in 1888. The stables held horses and carriages, commonly called “hacks.” Horse drawn carriages and/or drivers could be rented for scenic rides in Santa Clara Valley and surrounding area. The company was a predecessor of today’s taxi and rental car services. The livery was a place where people paid to have their horses fed and stabled.
Built in the 1890′s, the Paulson house is a Queen Anne-style residence furnished with local pioneer artifacts.
Dashaway stables Paulson house
Carriage
Across the street, you will find the Portuguese Historical Museum that features exhibits and stories of Portuguese culture in Santa Clara Valley. The entrance to the museum has an etched glass map depicting the Portuguese history and culture. The first floor hosts a digital Family Album where the family histories of thousands of immigrants and their families who have contributed to the development of California is recorded.
The building next door is the office of Dr. Warburton who was one of the first physicians in the Santa Clara Valley. Born in Staffordshire, England, in 1819, he immigrated to the United States as a surgeon aboard a whaling ship that docked in San Francisco in 1847. First he tried gold mining, but then decided to continue his medical practice.
Portuguese historical museum Dr. Warburton medical office
Bearing right at the intersection, follow the road to the end to visit the Trolley Barn that has an old carriage in front of it. Electric trolleys were the main form of public transportation in Santa Clara Valley in the late 1800’s to mid 1900’s because automobiles were still very expensive. The Trolley Barn was built as a place to restore and house historic trolleys that are still used for public transportation in downtown San Jose. On display are many types of historic vehicles. Tracks extend from the Trolley Barn run across Kelley Park, and on the weekends, visitors can ride the historic streetcars.
Next door to the Trolley Barn is the blacksmith shed where people exhibit blacksmith techniques during festivals and special events.
Trolley barn Blacksmith shed
Following the road back toward the entrance, you will pass the Print Shop, originally built in 1884. It has a false front appearance and distinctive corner decorations. Print shops typically worked on small projects such as brochures, flyers, business cards, and stationary. You can view two antique printing equipment, the 1874 F. M. Weiler Liberty and an 1886 Pearl, are on exhibit. On selected weekends and at special events, Printers’ Guild members demonstrate various presses to create newsletters, invitations and bookmarks with visitors.
The next large building you reach is the Pacific Hotel founded in 1860, which is home to the museum store and gallery. The property was first known as Otter’s Hotel and was purchased by Charles Schiele, a Prussian immigrant and former waiter, who changed its name. As a perspective, in the late nineteenth century, room and board at the Pacific Hotel cost between nine and fifteen dollars.
Printing office Pacific hotel
Bear right around the corner to the far end of the large white building to reach the Bank of Italy. A San Jose native Amadeo Giannini started the Bank of Italy in the San Francisco Bay Area in the early 1900s. The bank in History Park is a replica of one of the banks. The bank became Bank of America in 1930. Giannini’s practices revolutionized the industry by addressing previously underserved members of the community such as the working class, immigrant populations, and small businesses. Also, the bank financed California’s booming agricultural economy at a time when it was difficult for farmers to get loans, and started a Women’s Banking Department in 1921.
The bank helped finance the Hollywood film industry with loans for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Gone With the Wind, and It’s a Wonderful Life. The Bank of America also financed the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge in 1932 during the heart of the Depression.
Banca D’Italia