Before San Jose was a bustling metropolis, it was a small city with shops, schools and residences in an agrarian region.
That vision of the Santa Clara Valley is preserved in the 14-acre History Park, located two miles south of downtown San Jose. It is part of the larger Kelley Park, home to Happy Hollow Park & Zoo and the Japanese Friendship Garden. History Park showcases more than 30 restored buildings in a landscaped area that re-creates Santa Clara Valley life between 1880 and 1930.
“The history is not just limited to San Jose,” said Janna Standridge, who’s been leading tours here on weekends for years.
An orchard once stood on the park grounds. History Park was created by moving original buildings to the site, while others were built to provide a glimpse of California’s past. The park opened in 1971. The newest addition—a train station from South Santa Clara County awaiting restoration—arrived in May
One History Park landmark is a replica of an electric light tower that once stood in downtown San Jose. The original, built in 1881, was 237 feet high, while the current structure is 115 feet high. Some have claimed that the original was an inspiration for Gustave Eiffel’s tower in Paris.
Many of the park’s restored buildings, which are open to visitors, house nonprofit groups or museums.
Two homes of well-known San Jose residents are preserved here. Photographer Andrew P. Hill led an effort at the turn of the 20th century to save the redwoods in the Santa Cruz mountains in Big Basin, which became California’s first state park. Next door is the Markham house, the home of poet Edwin Markham, who lived here until 1889. Today it is the location of Poetry Center San Jose.
A restored Italianate-style Greenawalt House was moved here in 1991 and today houses the Việt Museum. Another Victorian, built for the Zanker family in 1868, houses the African American Heritage House.
Summer is a good time to visit History Park, busy with several hundred visitors on a typical weekend. If it’s hot, guests can cool off under the park’s many trees or in picnic areas. An air-conditioned museum in the Pacific Hotel contains historical exhibits about San Jose’s fruit-growing past and details on how Eggo waffles started in the city.
A hot day is a great time to duck into an old-time ice cream shop: O’Brien’s Ice Cream Parlor and Candy Shop serves sweets on weekend afternoons.
Also on weekends, guests can hop aboard an electric trolley to ride around the park. The trolleys are housed in the Diridon Trolley Barn. Nearby is a replica of a 1927 gas station.
The park also hosts ticketed special events. Music Under the Sun, a lineup of bands playing old school, R&B, blues, cumbia, ranchera, Latin rock, as well as War, Prince and Santana/Malo tribute groups, is Aug. 24. Chicano Soul Fest, an art show, lowriders and concert featuring mariachi, banda, soul and funk acts, is Sept. 7, and Cars in the Park, a huge antique auto show, is Sept. 14.
History Park, partially hidden behind thick fences at Senter Road and Phelan Avenue, is across the street from Excite Ballpark, home of the minor league baseball team the San Jose Giants.
“It’s San Jose’s best kept secret,” said Sharon Fox, History Park’s marketing manager.
History Park is located at 635 Phelan Ave., San José. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is free. For information, call (408) 287-2290 or visit historysanjose.org. For event information, visit historysanjose.org/programs-events.
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