Tag Archives: san jose

Quimby Road – History

September 7, 2016Concept, Historical Researchaborn, casalegno, Chaboya, evergreen, family, generations, kettmann, mayor, mirassou, pellier, Quimby, quimby road, Renaud, san jose, street nameevergreen

Quimby Road, from its 1860’s creation, has been an artery into the town of Evergreen, intersecting with historic White Road and King Road for over 150 years now. We’ve discussed previously in Evergreen Mural Walk’s blog Evergreen’s Own Mayor Quimby. John Alonzo Quimby, San Jose Mayor, is indeed the roadway’s namesake, whose second home outside of downtown was here in Evergreen in the 1860’s. Quimby Road on our Best Drives List, however, is host to many powerful stories and breathtaking vistas.

We’re looking at Quimby Road from the familiar now 1899 map, which I found at Evergreen Valley College’s library in the Heritage Room, curated by Colleen Cortese. Let’s talk about what these parcels are now.

You can see White Road further left. Left is west and a pinch south. White Road runs North and South and Norwood Avenue, running off the map here, ought to point directly East. The right of the adjacent Chaboya properties, belonging Ramon Chaboya, is the Evergreen School District Office and Quimby Oak Middle School. This is Ramon, or Raymond, Chaboya to the left here. The western border of the western, or left, Renaud property is Ruby Avenue which later builds through to the Mirassau or Mirassou property on Chew Lane, which became Aborn Road. This is a particularly interesting tid bit because of the Pellier lineage

.The roadway was named for the one time Mayor, long time civil servant and Evergreen rancher. Strangely enough though, the Quimby Family property, in the family as shown above, isn’t located on Quimby Road in 1899. It appears to have been downsized and passed down to the Quimby’s daughter, then Mrs. Wright, lived on Chaboya Road. Can I be honest with you? This M. Wright parcel feels more like the corner of the Pellier Ranch. The straightened portion becomes Murillo Avenue and the offshoot of Chaboya Road is there. This is where the Sikh Gurdawa is today. It would’ve outline the neighboring Pellier Ranch in 1876 and become the driveway by 1899.

We’re going to look back at Quimby Road again, but this time in 1876. I’m going to tell you that this zoom out is very deceiving. The properties will appear to be the same size, but that is not the case. They’re much larger and fewer. They’ll just be bigger. Check the acre size on the Ramon Chaboya and the McClay/Chaboya parcel to be sure. Ramon Chaboya’s are both 39 acres. The McClay/Chaboya parcel on Quimby Road is 36+ acres.

As stated above, Quimby Road connected Evergreen to downtown at its Northern end as Evergreen and Chew Lane did on the South side. The portion of Tully Road where Quimby Road first appears was also known as Quimby Road. This section was soon after renamed for the prominent businessman and landowner, John Tully, Lake Cunningham were developed. You can see Cunningham on the Wallace & Tully parcel in yellow. Tully Road would divide this property in half.

Along the dotted line, Norwood Avenue would’ve been built and Tully Road would border the Wallace Tully property to the North. This is considered the boundary of Evergreen itself.

During the 1870’s, the Chaboya’s would spread out along Quimby Road with large ranches and a driveway that would later become Murillo and Chaboya. Into the 1890’s the family would downsize and swap parcels with neighbors like the McClays, who would also downsize over the years as it passed down to later generations. The Kettmann’s were upsizing, purchasing Mt. Hamilton land for goat herding, and surely used Quimby Road and Mt. Hamilton to get there. The widowed Mrs. Tully was buying up property. Also seemingly moving out of the Evergreen area is the Pellier Family, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

As we discussed before in RIP Louis Pellier, detailing a gravestone mix up, the Pierre Pellier family lost their budding male heir at the age of 16. This was a huge blow for Mr. & Mrs. Pellier and their daughters , soon after the death of Pierre’s brother . There wasn’t another son. Uncle Louis and his wife would have no children. Uncle Jean would have children. He is the only one who would carry on the family name. But the Pellier daughters would step up, marry well and pass on their family lineage and French heritage.

Mrs. Pellier’s distant family members, the Renaud’s, would move in near the French immigrants and begin planting vineyards on Quimby Road. One Pellier daughter would marry into the Renaud Family, third cousins or further removed. Elise Pellier would marry Alfred Leon Renaud and have eight children in 17 years on a Quimby Road Estate. In fact, Alfred Renaud would’ve passed away before Rose knew she was pregnant with their last child in 1901. I think a Renaud property is across from Evergreen Valley High School, but the larger E. L. Renaud property may stand for Elise Leon Renaud. In fact, there are still grapes grown here. The homestead may have been across Evergreen Valley High School while the grapevines grew up the street.

Again, a Pierre and Henrietta Pellier daughter would marry a French transplant moving to the Santa Clara County to engage in agriculture. Pierre Mirassou would marry Henrietta Pellier, the eldest daughter, and a wine dynasty would be born from their union.

Pellier Daughter Josephine would marry Mr. Michael Casalegno, an Italian immigrant, and have six children on the Pellier Ranch. I got to see their house, which has been moved and preserved within Evergreen. This would’ve been the Pellier’s home at one point. The largest ranch in Evergreen would again break up and become many of the largest ranches in Evergreen. The awesome ending to this Evergreen story is that it doesn’t end and they continue to raise new generations in Evergreen today. Rad.

I also need to confirm another historic Quimby Road lead that one of the Rinella daughters, a large Sicilian, Italian family, would marry into the LaMantia Family. Mr. LaMantia would maintain orchards of his own and the vineyards for the Evergreen Cribari Winery.

Back to Quimby Road in the late 1800’s, though. It would’ve been paved fairly early as an alternative route to James Lick Observatory. Alum Rock Road’s construction would have to be innovative and swift so the Observatory could begin its construction. Evergreen’s awesome drives and almost unchanged roadways have a lot to do with East San Jose and the Observatory’s development in Santa Clara County. Suddenly Evergreen’s thousands of residents were receiving a little more love from its Department of Transportation.

Let’s see if Quimby Road has changed much. Here it is today.

And the side by side. Can’t find it earlier than 1876.

The Evergreen artery, Quimby Road, has had some updates. I think there’s been two path changes in Quimby’s 150 year history. The first is the part of Quimby Road that now runs through to Mt. Hamilton Road. In 1876, it merely ran through Evergreen or up to “the Summit”. That was the boundary for Rancho Yerba Buena and is the color change at the end of each Quimby Road. This area simply didn’t exist before. Mt. Hamilton Road’s path too has been softened over time.

The second place updated is where I’m thinking is where I found evidence of it in a bridge. Quimby Road crosses creeks many times and therefore would’ve been washed out if unpaved or poorly maintained. This update would’ve taken place adding a second and steeper hump between the J. A. Quimby and A. Chaboya in the 1876 map. This was cleary updated in 1935. I’ll have to find out when Quimby reached Highway 130 and see if they happened at the same time.

The State of Public Arts

August 22, 2016Concept, Historical Research, Project launchaborn, aborn road, art portfolio, arts, arts commission, city of san jose, Discoveries, downtown, ear, evergreen, glider, John J. Montgomery, Larry Kirkland, library, montgomery, mouth, park, plane, public art, review, san felipe road, san jose, San Jose Public Library, SJPL, state of the arts, stones, the Evergreen Glider, Willow Glen, wing, yerba buena roadevergreen

Needless to say, I’m letting my nerd flag fly with every blog post for the Evergreen Mural Walk. If you think I enjoy Evergreen, consider how much I love Public Arts. As a San Jose Native and based Artist, how could anything be more personal or provocative to me as San Jose’s Public Arts’ Scene. I’m going to narrow my review to the Visual Arts’ for the most part because it’s my expertise and experience. I still don’t get out often enough to be a critic of our performing arts or festivals, which San Jose has a ton of! Well done, us. There is constantly something happening in San Jose and a holistic approach to the public spaces being highly considered makes those more engaging. City Hall is somewhere I find inspiration and a lot of support.

Since coming up with this crazy Evergreen idea a year ago, I’ve been to every City of San Jose Arts Commission and Public Art meeting open to the public. San Jose’s art portfolio is vast with a wide variety of investments and installations. Overall beautiful and well considered, I cannot help but to notice lots of funding going to out of state artists for their unique concepts. There’s been two pieces that people hate in Downtown. The Arts Commission funds programs like the Ballet, Symphony and other performing Arts. Illuminating Downtown appears to be a success with more projects on the way, a series of light Public Arts Installations to Downtown’s Underpasses. Brand new pieces have been installed on Lincoln Avenue in Willow Glen.

The Art Box program finds itself empowering charming pieces in already charming, walking Communities. To engage this program, you must have an artistically or culturally valid concept and private sponsorship. Its this programs’ intent to create opportunities for professional artists, though the stipend is low. I think this is why there are some done to a lesser quality than others. It takes a larger commitment of time from the artist than the program pays. This program adds to San Jose’s rich culture by creating exposure for artists. The location is chosen by the Arts Commissioner in charge and the private donor, so the pay off is in the location. Because of these elements, the Art Boxes have not been employed in Evergreen, or other graffiti ravaged Communities, though this Public Arts approach could help the safety and walkability of Evergreen. You’ll find Art Boxes in Willow Glen, Downtown, and the Alameda.

There is such a lack of color in San Jose, it’s known as Tan Jose to those in the Arts Community. People lament the boredom of San Jose’s Airport, knowing the Cultural hotspot that waits for them outside. San Jose State University trains brilliant, competent artists, but we outsource the Artistic Identity of San Jose to others. Those like Erin Salazar, with the Exhibition District, finds private funding and public walls to empower San Jose’s Arts Community to have a hand in its Individuality. Sadly, the Exhibition District focuses Downtown. Not in Evergreen. Cherri Lakey, too, with Two Fish Designs, brings Artists Opportunities forth in her successful galleries and SOFA events. SOFA, however, still isn’t Evergreen. Love seeing strong women creating business opportunities and cohesion for the Arts in San Jose. That connectivity to opportunities and empowering artists is crucial to San Jose’s Artistic Identity.

What has Public Art done for Evergreen lately? Does Evergreen have Public Art?

It’s gotta be asked because it’s not widely known or appreciated. It’s often teased for its curious shape. This first of these is a contribute to John J. Montgomery, the pioneer aviator who lost his life flying in our Evergreen hills. This is a recreation of a wing from his Evergreen glider. This stands at the park on the corner of Yerba Buena Road and San Felipe Road, within a mile of where the glider crashed on the Ramonda Ranch.

The importance of this shape is it is the modern shape of wing. John Montgomery flew before the Wrights Brothers and had the guidance systems in mind in advance. The East Coast bias goes back before National Sports leagues. Publication and their Printers were in high volume along the East Coast while the West Coast enjoyed the last standing Old West and settling. Circulation to local outlets would’ve been easy, but getting publications of Montgomery’s early flights back East were a feet. The Wrights Brothers have the public’s opinion on Flight’s First, however it was Montgomery and he simply did it better than others until his unfortunate landing.

Have you heard of these delights to the left and right? Evergreen Library has beautiful pieces of Public Art, but I had to hear about it in a Public Art Meeting. That would lead me to believe perhaps you’ve not seen Larry Kirkland’s “Discoveries” either. The Washington DC based artist here uses the senses and scale to engage his audience in an association with nature. Mr. Kirkland’s work can be seen in airports around the world, and here at the remodeled Evergreen Library off Aborn Road. Though little known, it think this is a wonderful addition to San Jose’s and Evergreen’s Artistic Identity. I think I’ll take a selfie with the giant ear. I love the honest qualities to the rock with the smooth contours of the skin. It’s a powerful textural contrast that leads us to opinions of our relationship with nature.

Enough La-Ti-Da. We’re done. That’s it in San Jose’s District 8. The largest Rancho in Santa Clara County has 2 pieces of Public Art. We’ve recognized and tried to bring relevance to the Montgomery piece in our proposed artwork. There’s splendorous fountains and decorations in new home and retail areas, but we have an artwork portfolio of two and no non-profits receiving operational grants in Evergreen, though I’m sure we have some budding ballerinas and musicians from Evergreen in our Arts Organizations. Andrew Bales of the SV Symphony discusses the 90% decrease in philanthropy over the last decade, which the Arts has endured. There are funds set away from every new development that goes towards things like Public Art. This too gets trimmed away by other needed services like homeless housing. What’s odd to me is that Evergreen is continuously development the rolling hillside but the 1% for the Arts doesn’t come back here in proportion. If Corporate Giving and governing agencies cannot fund the Arts, it’s going to go away unless someone gets creative.

Evergreen sees epidemic graffiti in public spaces and on historic grounds. Graffiti is a broken window to the factory that is the Evergreen Community. I can’t help but to think Public Art and bringing charm and romanticism to Evergreen could improve safety and tensions.

Tensions will naturally occur where you have a socio-economic contrast like ours and residents don’t feel like they have any options to improve their own situations. I maintain this Community is colorful, not unsafe. Those committing this vandalism are our target volunteer from our high school crowd. Their ownership and individuality brought to the project bring it success and authenticity. This was a wildly walkable Community when I was a little girl on my red bike. Before that, farmers freely roamed through the shortest path through their neighbors’ orchards on horseback. This project seeks to find that walkability and boost in tourism in Evergreen’s third piece to the Public Art Portfolio.

Evergreen’s Own Mayor Quimby

June 19, 2016Artwork, Historical Researchcalifornia, Chaboya, city hill, city park plaza, city plaza, civil service, county of santa clara, downtown san jose, evergreen, evergreen people, family, first street, generations, legislature, market street, mayor, modern, pellier, Quimby, Quimby Oak, san jose, santa clara street, settlers, state capitol, statehood, street name, vineyardsevergreen

Would you believe me if I told you that Evergreen and the City of San Jose had a Mayor Quimby over 125 years before the Simpsons? Matt Groening’s portrait of the Mayor couldn’t contrast our factual character more. I’m going to try to provide you with an accurate portrait of our fair-minded Mayor, John Alonzo Quimby. I was lucky enough to find a contemporary family source in a Genealogical History for the Quimby Family from 1915, though newspapers and political publications didn’t say much..

Quimby as a name is fairly popular in England, where its origins are traced back to the 11th century. Though probably Germanic in origin and possibly Hebrew in its roots, the Quimby name, its variations (Quinby, Quinbee, Quenby, possibly Quincy, etc.) and its coat of arms are found all over England. It dates back to an ancient Welsh King, The Quimby Family came from a long line of Colonialists and Quakers. The ancient family would come to Salem, then Massachussetts colony as early as 1640, seeking freedom from the religious persecution that brought so many people to America at the time. They were not rumored in Salem Witch Hunts, but one relative died in heated fights with the Native Americans there. His ancestors would’ve fought to create this country.

John A. Quimby would be born in Parsippany, New Jersey in 1818 to affluent, well respected parents. His father would be a politician in New England. Quimby’s father originally ran the lucrative family shoe making business before running for judge and serving the County court system 25-30 years in New Jersey. His brother, Isaac, would be a General for the Union Army during the Civil War. This is his famous brother from Back East to the right who eventually became a US Marshall. My historian’s note here would be that photographs through the 1800’s would only be taken by the rich and famous or very large groups. It was an infant of an art and a science as well as expensive to do. Strangely enough, the politically minded family were Democrats for the most part, with the exception of our Mayor. This may be the reason the Republican pioneer came to California in 1846. Regardless, this photograph from the mid 1800’s should prove how well respected John Alonzo Quimby was.

Mayor Quimby first studied law and practiced with a Judge in New Jersey. John Alonzo Quimby would come to California as early as 1846 with his father, but definitely arrived in Santa Clara County by 1849 with his first wife, Minerva Moody of New York. It was said before leaving New Jersey that J. A. Quimby was one of Morristown, New Jersey’s best orators and they had a few.

John Alonzo Quimby would become entangled with California’s State Affairs early on, even running for US Senator at one point. Quimby was present, along with delegate Charles White, at the “Legislature of A Thousand Drinks”, held in San Jose in 1849. This Assembly would create California’s State Constitution and the creation of its Capitol, in San Jose. In 1850, Quimby would see the need and build the first roadway from Santa Cruz to San Jose, laying the groundwork for Highway 17 today. John would engage in the lumber business there as a City developed in the Valley. The Captiol would move to Vallejo in 1851, and to Sacramento. Even still, the site of the Capitol would become a second epicenter for the City of San Jose. Quimby would be in the California legislature from 1855 to 1858 and be San Jose’s Mayor for two terms from 1863-1869. J. A. Quimby would later be on the Board of County Supervisors for two terms.

The well-respected lawmaker would become the creator of the Downtown San Jose we know nowadays. For the sake of contract, the map to the right is San Jose in 1847. It has a single road, the El Camino Real, today’s Alameda turning into Santa Clara beyond this point. It’s layout is logical, like the numbered street we know, and it has well known San Jose founders sprinkled in. The Guadalupe River creates a border for the small city. At this point a lot of today’s Downtown isn’t even a thought. In 1847, an acre of land downtown like these would cost $50.00. Through his initiatives, crucial issues that arose in San Jose at California’s birth were solved through Mayor Quimby’s terms in office.

The Market Square was always a meeting place for the Pueblo of San Jose and so it only seemed fitting to hold California’s first meeting in California’s first civic meeting place. In 1797, the Spanish would raise a Town Hall at the site for parades and City meetings. There would be reports of ill maintained hotels and flooding at Market Square, which encouraged the Capitol’s relocation to Vallejo. A dam would need to be built for the Guadalupe River to keep the Capitol dry. This building still used in 1851 for San Jose’s administration, John A. Quimby would inherit San Jose with its run down buildings and infrastructure. The Fire Department had no firehouse and broken down engines. City Hall’s walls were crumbing. After all, it was over 65 years old by the time he got to City Hall. Furthermore, in 1863, the disputes created by settlement were still creating tensions.

Rancho Yerba Buena wasn’t up for dispute anymore. John Alonzo Quimby himself legally purchased a large ranch 3 miles from Downtown Evergreen, next door to the Pellier Family, near where the Middle School stands today but up the road a little ways. Victoria Chaboya’s property is more likely where the Quimby Oak Middle School stands today. Oak trees are a main feature of Evergreen, not pine trees. Quimby Oak rather rathers to the bed of Oak trees gathering along the Quimby Creek, running though Quimby and Pellier’s properties. Quimby Road would always run past his Evergreen hills property. J. A. Quimby was able to purchase a Creekside property near where the Chaboyas themselves called home. The California Government didn’t uphold all of the Mexican land grants like the Chaboyas. In fact, Rancho Yerba Buena was the exception to the rule in Santa Clara County.

Many were stripped of their holdings and left tiny portions of their former farms, including Antonio Chaboya’s brothers, by US Surveyors. The railroad into San Jose was completed in 1863, when Quimby first became Mayor. The land grab created room for new immigrants and U.S. citizens in early San Jose, which there were plenty arriving and on their way. The first secular development in California, established in 1777, had been growing from the epicenter of Mission de Santa Clara de Asis, today’s Santa Clara University. These homes, though close, were large and had adequate yards. If these people were also farmers, though, their farms or vacation homes would be elsewhere, in modern day suburban communities surrounding San Jose’s Downtown. To the right is Downtown San Jose looking towards the Mission in 1866, when J. A. Quimby was Mayor.

Mission Santa Clara feels like the outskirts of Downtown today. You’re totally right. What we feel like is Downtown today, First and Santa Clara Streets, would be John Alonzo Quimby’s impact on San Jose. The one time Capitol, brought by delegates White and Reed and witnessed by Quimby no doubt, would be today’s Cesar Chavez Square on Market Street. This would become a second burst of growth in San Jose’s adolescence. Downtown is something different because of this second epicenter. The bustling City would then center around Market and Santa Clara Streets, adding to the numbered streets and narrowing their lots.

Then, during his Mayoral office, Quimby would bring together both parties to handle the disputes, fill San Jose’s Treasury by selling small “pueblo” lots Downtown and create services for the growing population. Contemporaries would explain that the Cities of San Jose and Santa Clara were already touching and growing denser down the Alameda. Plots were being sold for $50.00 an acre or city block around the Alameda and St. James Park. Once Quimby took office, an acre cost $200.00. US Surveyors would bring into question some of the $50.00 acres, allowing farms downtown to be broken up into subdivisions. $50.00 plots were still being developed, however. The City of San Jose would be considered as far east as Coyote Creek, as far south as Bird Avenue, as far west as Meridian Avenue and as far north as Hedding Street. Quimby would improve the roadway system and rejuvenate San Jose’s infrastructure with the raising of funds, replacing rundown equipment and buildings. Many of San Jose’s oldest standing buildings come from the Quimby era. With a focus shifted away from the Mission and towards developing outward from the City Plaza, Cesar Chavez Park, Downtown San Jose’s small lots still exist today. The numbered streets are a result of many of Quimby’s decisions. He killed two very big birds with one very awesome stone that still can be felt today. To the left is a map of San Jose shortly after he left City Hall.

This is a map of San Jose while John Alonzo Quimby was on the Board of County Supervisors. The rapid growth was prolific. In 4 years, San Jose would need to be broken up into huge portions. This is our modern downtown. The First Ward is the old downtown. Also notice that our Norths between the previous 2 maps are different. That was just to make this one look pretty. It’s ok. Our 1847 Map had Guadalupe through then San Jose’s west on the bottom of the map. Only a couple of those original rectangle bought for $50.00 still existed. Most were these tiny boxes in 1876. The colored portiosn are additions onto San Jose made during Quimby’s term.

In 1860, San Jose would have 1000 residents. By 1868, that had been multiplied to 7000 residents. Having great leadership at the helm of a storm like that allows the transition to go smoothly. John A. Quimby found a way to make room, make jobs, and revive an aging city. He was also there at igniting of the Santa Clara County’s Fruit Industry. Quimby would create the foundation for the large city with a dense downtown we enjoy today. The San Jose Water Company was incorporated in 1866. Gas services was introduced to San Jose in 1861, but the need for expanding those pipe systems were crucial. The Normal School, today’s San Jose State University, would become State run in 1862. The courthouse was built in 1867, now the St. James Post Office though its down was burned down some time ago. The first public transit systems were in place in 1868, running down First Street to the domed courthouse. The lightrail stops there today. Does that make is a nearly 150 year old tradition to ride the modern trolley through Downtown? The Canning Industry would be underway in San Jose in 1871. Though Quimby gets the bulk of credit for the way he settled Downtown land disputes, he’s often overlooked during this crucial time in San Jose’s development. Why he’s overlooked in unknown, because he seems to be well-respected by his contemporaries and loved ones.

John and Minerva would have four kids, while maintaining his political life. Minerva Moody would pass away in 1866, while he was Mayor, and John Alonzo Quimby would remarry the following year. Irene Kamp, the new Mrs. Quimby, and John would have another two children who were also raised in Evergreen. After serving the County for a number of years, John Quimby would become sick for a number of years starting in 1886. Following the illness, Quimby retired from public life to his Evergreen farm. It was said that he too raised vineyards in the Evergreen hills and Quimby Creek runs along the back side of Millbrook Elementary School today. Quimby Road would be one of the third or fourth roads built in Evergreen, after San Felipe Road and Evergreen Road. In fact, Quimby once ran Tully Road’s modern course into town after the turn at Eastridge Mall. The Mall’s creation there was formed by Quimby’s 150 year old route.

The large Evergreen estate passed to Irene and his family when John Alonzo Quimby passed in 1891. This 1903 map shows a portion of the Quimby Ranch, 55 acres, still held by his daughter, Mrs. R. M. Wright. One of his sons, Fred Alonzo Quimby, carried on the tradition of civic service into the 20th century, though sadly not in Santa Clara County.

Oh, and the awesome Harriet Quimby, first woman to have a pilot’s license, wouldn’t be from Evergreen or San Jose. Instead, she probably heard about the road’s name on a flight to San Jose then lie ruthlessly about it, creating fairytales and misinformation about her early life. Harriet was born in Michigan. She was quite a character, but none of John Alonzo’s sons would marry a woman having a daughter Harriet. She also freely lied about her age. Don’t worry. The Quimby’s are a huge family. She probably wasn’t lying about the name, but could so easily weave misinformation into interviews because of the name’s popularity around the United States.

I think the obituaries for John A. Quimby about the most eloquent summarizations and indications of how he was received by his contemporaries, Democrat or Republican. His was admired for both his political achievements and undertakings, as well as for his kindness and hospitality.

“Death of a Pioneer of San Jose – A Public Spirited Citizen – One who has served faithfully in various Public Offices and did much as a Private Citizen” said one local newspaper. Another states “His life here since pioneer days was an active one until a few years ago… made him prominent amount residents of the county.” It goes on, “The pioneer residents of this county will bear willing testimony to the deep regard entertained for the departed [Quimby] by all who had the pleasure and profit of an intimate acquaintance…”

The Artwork which features J. A. Quimby also features possible inspiration Charles White. After writing this, I’m wondering if we’ve given John Alonzo enough credit either. His leadership created the City we enjoy today, which modern people from Evergreen continue to develop it and serve the same offices. The Simpson’s bumbling Mayor couldn’t be further away from our Mayor Quimby.

After doing this article, here’s the updated White and Quimby Piece.

Evergreen – A Vacation Destination?

June 11, 2016Historical Researchagriculture, creeks, downtown san jose, eucalyptus, hiking, industrial revolution, nature, oak, oaks, print, pueblo, san jose, tourism, township, trees, vacation, wildernessevergreen

Part of the joy in this project has been trying to imagine Evergreen of yesteryear. How I’ve initially ingested the information is through the visuals which develop throughout time. The Pueblo de San Jose was established in 1777 as the first secular settlement in California’s infancy. Small towns and communities would grow up around the city in order to feed and sustain it. Evergreen was certainly one of these communities, with its first recorded landowners being the Chaboyas in 1821.

The Chaboyas were cattle ranchers and orchardists. This means much of the area was untouched in years that the cattle didn’t graze across certain acres. Grazing in general is a natural grass mowing. The land itself was scenic, beautiful hillsides drenched in trees and creeks in the 1800’s. It was described at 8 miles outside of the Pueblo.

The relationship early landowners had with Evergreen into the 1850’s was very different than what we think of it today. If you were a wealthy farmer, you had a house Downtown – or rather in the City of San Jose – and a vacation or second home in the town of Evergreen. The Pueblo’s plots were close together and very similar to how it looks and feels today. Victorian homes can be traced back to their original owners or builders. The City spread from an epicenter at First Street and Santa Clara Street, being named after the Mission of Santa Clara founded in 1776.

This was certainly true of the Tullys, Quimbys, and Cadwalladers. Shown here are the super trendy Tullys, Rose and John. The Pelliers would own downtown then purchase one of Evergreen’s largest ranches off Quimby Road and Norwood Avenue. Wealthy landowners would have large homes in Evergreen and a pueblo plot, or small lot, in the City. John J. Montgomery would come to fly from Evergreen’s pastoral hillsides while teaching at Santa Clara University. This was a several hour ride on horseback to the town Evergreen in the day, with limited roadways and no highways, at the time.

People from elsewhere would travel to Evergreen for a slower paced lifestyle, as well as to tend their lucrative farms. Farmhands would stay on site and the owners would travel back and forth to their downtown stores and homes. Evergreen’s farming community and nature would also bring tourism to a young Evergreen Village. If you were visiting San Jose, you had to make the drive.

Quick history lesson, Gutenberg’s printing press would be invented in 1444 AD. Throughout the 1800’s the printing press would rapidly improve. The rotary press would be developed in 1843, while the Chaboyas owned Rancho Yerba Buena. Off-set printing would come around in 1875, when the town of Evergreen was a farming haven. Hot metal typsetting would be invented in 1884, around the time James Lick Observatory was built and William Wehner’s Mansion was constructed. Books and publications could be created and distributed much quicker and for less.

Evergreen being popularized by books and newspapers, hiking groups would come to experience eucalyptus trees imported from Australia, giant oaks, scenic hillsides and natural creek life. Evergreen would come to light through its fruit exports and famed residents.

Truth is beyond the suburban developments in Evergreen, there are still vacation spots with stunning vistas and hiking destinations. Evergreen is still at the City’s edge and full of rural beauties, if you know where to look.

Also, there are still wealthy families who consider Evergreen their vacation destination. These large ranches end up being a link to the past traditions of their families and our Evergreen.

Downtown Developer developed in Evergreen

April 21, 2016Artwork, Historical Researchbusiness, downtown, evergreen people, family, generations, san joseevergreen

At the beginning of this project, I discussed with a few people: What is Evergreen? What’s the feeling? Who gives you the feeling? And what was it like to grow up in Evergreen? I’m looking to communicate that authentic emotion with these murals. Who better to discuss it with than people with Evergreen roots who watched it grew up.

This project has connected me with some of the most gracious people. I think kindness is a natural byproduct of farming, ranching and growing up in Evergreen. My interviewee was beyond kind and frankly caught me off guard with how generous he was with his time. I was enjoying talking to him so much that I forgot I was taking notes and conducting an interview. I admire this gentleman for a number of reasons. If I thought my application would get responded to, I would’ve applied to work for his awesome company when I worked in construction. His company is one built on family roots and a vision of the future. It is hard to find creativity within construction, however Barry Swenson manages to innovate in both building techniques and aesthetic of his creations.

Evergreen Native, Barry Swenson, came from a long line of builders. Barry has passed the family business on to son, Case.

Mr. Swenson’s grandfather, Carl N. Swenson, was born in Sweden in 1885. He came to the United States when he was seventeen with ten dollars in his pocket. Carl Swenson would come to Chicago to his aunt’s house, where his aunt threatened to take his ten dollars in exchange for her hospitality. Carl would start working on railroads and then start building his way West from 1902-1911. He would also marry wife, Anna Mathilda Olson, also a Swedish immigrant. From a Turlock base, Swenson would take on projects all over the Central Valley and even the Bay Area. Carl would build the Medico-Dental Building across the street from City Hall in 1928. It must have been quite an introduction to the Valley of Heart’s Delight because in 1929, the Swensons would move to San Jose.

Here, Carl N. Swenson Construction would start building modern marvels of technology and begin having a huge hand in shaping the Silicon Valley. Luckily, he worked with an amazing architect, William H. Weeks. The Art Deco architectural wonder Hotel DeAnza, built by Carl Swenson in 1931, is one of the most popular San Jose landmarks this way. The Hotel Palomar, built in 1929, would withstand the 1989 earthquake with reinforced \concrete. The Swenson craftsmanship and quality would create a reputation strong enough to pass on to the next generation.

Carl Swenson would move his family on to a 26 acre farm in Evergreen, purchased from the Hassler Family, in 1943. Barry Swenson went to Andrew Hill High School before Silver Creek was built. Carl N. Swenson purchased his ranch off Silver Creek Road for a mere $6,000.00. In 2005, Barry put an estimated valuation of $16,000,000.00 on the real estate. What a great investment! Barry Swenson says if his grandfather’s property had remained in the family, he would still live in Evergreen today.

Carl’s son, Clifford, born in 1916, was a waterboy on the DeAnza Hotel project. Cliff would’ve been the same age his father was when he came to America and began working on railroads. Clifford would grow up on a ranch and surrounded by his father’s business. He studied Engineering and Economics at San Jose University. Clifford W. Swenson would rise through the ranks at Carl N. Construction Company.

It’s been said that Clifford had the vision to create things from scratch and the ability to follow carry them out. Cliff’s imagination would continue to propel Carl N. Swenson Construction forward through challenging projects. He was no doubt an asset on projects like that at Moffett Field in 1948. The Swensons would build NASA’s wind tunnel that we’ve all seen on school field trips. Cliff would become president of the Carl N Construction Company in 1956. In 1958, they would be contracted to build San Jose’s City Hill, now a part of the Civic Center complex on Hedding Street.

Cliff would write in a company brochure far as back as 1962: “Construction and development is a people-oriented business requiring a diversity of talent. Our company’s greatest asset is its people. The continued growth and success we have enjoyed over the years has been as a director result of teamwork: our professionals working with each other and directly with clients.” The quality of people hired by Carl N. Swenson speaks for itself. Beyond utilizing family members in their fields of study and strength, Cliff would hire some of today’s most successful developers. He mentored Chuck Toeniskoetter and Dan Breeding. In fact, Mr. Breeding would find his wife filing at Swenson’s. Philip Mirenda would serve as VP and General Superintendent of Carl N. Swenson Construction for over 35 years. Clifford Swenson even hired professional baseball vet Hap Smith. He would also learn how to make way for the next generation. Clifford could see talent in people, whether or not they had the experience. Cliff Swenson would retire from the family business in 1983.

Carl N. Swenson Construction Company buildings are some of the most recognizable in the Silicon Valley because they have personality and dynamism. To list all their projects would take a long time. Dominican Hospital, San Jose Mercury New Headquarters, Milpitas Ford Plant, IBM, and Lockheed Martin Facilities are just a few. The Santa Cruz Sentinel described projects like Dominican Hospital and San Lorenzo Park Plaza as “the realization of the dreams of men to build a better world” in 1967.

It is this sincerest hope of a better world that I feel coming from Mr. Barry Swenson. This legacy of innovation and building is nothing more than a family tradition to the Swensons. In 1961, the Green Valley Landscaping Company would become an offshoot of the Carl N. Swenson Construction Company, headed by newly graduated Clifford Barron “Barry” Swenson. In 1977, Barry Swenson Builders would be established and pick up the family business. Two years later, BSB would be the dominant entity in the Swenson Group.

Barry Swenson Builders had a professional homecoming in renovating the Hotel DeAnza for 2000% the cost of his grandfather’s original construction in 1931. Historical landmarks renovated by Barry Swenson Builders are all over Downtown San Jose. BSB is able to make old architecture feel like a new building from the inside. Beyond Victorian homes and office building, New Century, Hayes Mansion and Santa Cruz’s Del Mar Theater are just a couple.

Barry left Carl N. Swenson Construction and pursued his own direction because he found that practices were not innovating and keeping up with the building trends. The Swenson quality and dependability were a given. A young Barry Swenson was able to envision a new way of doing things and bring their family tradition into the future. San Pedro Market is a Barry Swenson creation which looks so similar to the Carl N. Swenson façade. Centurra, Vendrome and the Lofts on Alameda are just some of his new residential projects with a hint of old flavor. That Swenson personality carries over even into this day. Today, BSB focuses on a sustainable, innovative downtown experience. If you’ve never seen their signs, you have. You just weren’t paying attention.

The Landmaker project is just one way in which Barry Swenson Builders is building “a better world”. This creative design approach to concrete construction is a patented system designed to be safer, stronger, taller, greener and more cost-effective to other mid to high rise constructions.

Again, if we’re going to discuss BSB long list of accomplishments and creations, we’re going to be here a while. FedEx Facilities in Santa Clara, Oakland and San Jose, GE-Hitachi Plant, Good Samaritan Medical Plaza, the San Jose City College Technology Center, City Heights, Levare Apartments at Santana Row, Century Towers, Milpitas Towers, Oakland’s Jack London Square and the DMV on Senter Road are just a couple.

This torch has been passed on to Case Swenson. The young Mr. Swenson ran his own construction under the family umbrella for over 20 years. Case joined Barry Swenson Builders’ leadership in 2013 and became president in 2014. He, like his grandfather and undoubtedly his father, grew up doing chores on the jobsite. The Swenson tradition of farming is still a fruitful on today. A strong work ethic on the job and on the ranch is something the Swensons are very proud of. It’s a tradition passed down for over 100 years that continues to create Silicon Valley as we know it.

The Swensons have been incredibly philanthropic. A personal fave of mine is the gift of land made to Garden to Table Taylor St. Farm, www.garden2table.org. Barry Swenson Builders follows a tradition of donating to SJSU like his father. Barry Swenson Builders is recognized as one of the most generous organizations in the Silicon Valley. They don’t just put their money where it counts. Barry Swenson Builders also participates through construction projects, providing real improvements to the Community. Sacred Heart, City Team, History of San Jose and Good Karma Bikes are just a few causes they’ve swung a hammer for.

Tremendously accomplished yet tremendously kind people- the Swensons from Evergreen have a lot to be proud of. They have had a huge hand creating the Silicon Valley skyline, building up downtown, and continue that tradition of positive impact. Barry Swenson Builders’ mission is in its logo and matra: Tradition, Innovation, Integrity. It’s that simple. Maybe that’s the recipe to success. Mr. Swenson’s kindness and philanthropy are a bonus. I can’t believe this innovator, preservationist, philanthropist, difference-maker came from Evergreen. Barry Swenson grew up cultivated the 26 acres homestead near Silver Creek Road and now cultivates better buildings in a better San Jose. Now that I’m so familiar with him, I see his signs and plaques of recognition everywhere. Buildings for lease, Buildings being built, signage, everywhere. He popped up at Eastside Union High School District’s Hall of Fame, having graduated in 1957. Barry Swenson is well-known, well-respected, well-liked man and I totally understand why. He has followed his passion and his traditions professionally and personally. Here’s the artwork we’ve designed for generations of innovative builders.

Apricot Town

April 16, 2016Artwork, Concept, Historical Researchagriculture, apricots, coe, fruit, kettmann, orchards, pellier, prunes, san jose, township, Valley of heart's Delightevergreen

In discussing what makes Evergreen what it is today, I kept being asked about the variety of fruit shown in the proposed artwork. Almost every interviewee asked me why I was showing love to all the fruit picked here. We have vineyards associated with Evergreen, for sure. My parents kept telling us that they moved in across from apricot orchards and the houses were built when we were too young to remember. The majority of orchards in Evergreen were apricots.

Barry Swenson, Evergreen Native and Downtown Developer, recalls the school schedule coinciding with harvest schedules. “Cot” Season would be from July to August, prune harvest following that before school would resume. Prunes were a big business in the Valley of Heart’s Delight with 80,000 acres of prune trees. Apricots would come in second with some 7,000 acres of trees. Farming families would raise huge farms and huge families to cultivate the rich Evergreen soil. Harvest time was a community event. Families, companies and neighbors all pitched in to pick fruit and harvest grain.

I bet you’re asking: “What’s the prune got that the apricot doesn’t?”

Luis Pellier’s small Agen prune / plum cions would make him famous once successfully grafted or implanted onto a natural wild California plum tree. He’s often called the father of the “California Fruit Industry.” The prune was successfully marketed as “Fine to Dry”, though the prune would need to be hastened through a boiling or dipping process. Prunes as a crop were much easier to harvest than apricots, so they were an attractive investment. Santa Clara County would grow up around prune orchards and packing factory all thanks to Pellier. The Apricot didn’t have a fancy PR campaign and wasn’t so easily dried and exported.

Canned apricots are totally cool and were popular. I certainly remember eating them as a kid. They would still play second fiddle in the Santa Clara Valley to the prune. In the later half of the 1800’s though, that dried prune had the country captivated. Dried fruit to export was a new thing. Canned fruit had been around for a little while as the primary way of exporting fruit long distances. In fact, there weren’t can openers when Evergreen fruit started going into cans. Railroads would be the only way to get fresh fruit out of the Santa Clara Valley. Into the 1900’s, Evergreen Packer, Edmund N. Richmond and the Richmond-Chase Company would be one of those canners using Evergreen harvested apricots.

Not until San Felipe Ranch owner, Henry W. Coe for which the largest State Park is named, changed the drying process did apricots take off. Apricots sun-dried and pitted without any treatment get really sweet but black in color. That’s a difficult product to get to sell. Henry W. Coe perfected the apricot drying system with a sulfur smoke which preserved the color and the golden apricot embraced as a fine dried fruit. Coe was a business man using his back East, New York connections. His exports and products may have inspired the “Heart’s Delight” knick name by the rest of the Country. Importing and exporting was Henry Coe’s strength and he was first to market with the dried apricot.

It turns out that back East, people loved golden apricots and may have gotten over the whole prune fad. The dried ‘cot was new and hip. The farmers across the Town of Evergreen would be blanketed with thousands of acres of apricot orchards. In 1914, 600,000 apricot trees were recorded in Santa Clara County, most of those planted in Evergreen. In the early 1900’s, the apricot industry would improve in Evergreen. German-American farmer, Mr. Emil Farhner, would figure out that cutting the apricot in half, not just pit them, would hasten drying as well as prevent blackening and reduce drying error.

The dried golden apricot technique was perfected here in Evergreen. The delicious snack quickly became a big hit across the country. Tons of the dried fruit were sent around the world, over 25,000 tons exported a year from Santa Clara County. Apricots became especially big business for the Evergreen orchardists. Eastside San Jose Fruit Growers Association would operate out of McLaughlin Road and Tully Road Headquarters until 1899 when it was acquired by California Prune and Apricot Growers, which eventually became SunSweet.

The dried ‘cot was so popular, the methods of harvest also needed to innovate to keep up with the demand. Prunes fell to the ground for harvest, where apricots had to be picked off the trees while on ladders. That can be a balancing act. An Evergreen Native would own the patent on the apricot picking bucket in 1920. Evergreen Native and youngest son of Gerhard Kettmann, for whom Kettmann Road is named, would invent a bucket that hung over the ladder rung, where tying the bucket would eventually dump the bucket or limit how many you could pick at a time. The apricot industry would really develop in Evergreen soil.

Back to that PR campaign the dried prune had, the apricot cions were brought with Spanish colonists through the El Camino Real and raised on the Mission lands. Mission of Santa Clara and Pueblo de San Jose were founded in 1777. Mission of San Jose would open its doors in 1797. That would date the apricots’ roots back in California before 1800.

The apricots were already here before the European immigrants and California Statehood. Spanish “Mission Grapes”, too, were also already around and probably the vines French cions would be grafted on to by Pellier. There were no printing presses to spread agricultural trends in the mid 1800’s. Some Santa Clara Valley farmers would witness the Industrial Revolution very personally and learn to adapt their machinery and techniques, like Andrew Kettmann.

A little trivia: When a apricot and a plum/prune have a baby, it’s called a pluot.

Another bit of trivia: All prunes are plums, but not all plums are prunes.

When people think of Evergreen, they think specifically of Apricots. I think that’s because of the frequency of “Cot” orchards in and around town. It’s not misplaced association, however. I don’t think people know how Evergreen apricots really are. The apricot was made perfect here by forward thinking farmers. The “Cot” is definitely an Evergreen thing.

Here’s some of the artwork we have planned with ‘cots featured.

Redundant Theme – Orchardists

An overwhelming motif of Evergreen is our orchards. You’re going to see a lot of trees in rows portrayed throughout the Evergreen Mural Walk.

My parents would tell tales of moving in across Stevens Lanes from apricot orchards. In creating the artwork for this project, everyone asked why there weren’t more apricots and prunes. This theme is plain as day to those of us who remember fruit stands and vineyards. Our newer residents may not understanding what was here before we moved in.

Our Evergreen entrepreneur and agriculturalist, Luis Pellier, hatched a plan in 1847 while gold panning to bring the seeds, plants and clippings from his native France and forever change the fruit industry of California. The cost of a single apple was $1.50 at the time, which in 1849 dollars was cost prohibitive. Without our guy, there wouldn’t be the awesome economy in San Jose during the 1800’s. He’s really the father of California’s wine and fruit industries. The Pellier family still lives in Evergreen today.

Gunless lawman and California statesman, Charles White, came to America in 1833, but his son was a popular orchardist and businessman. These are Charles E. White’s orchards to the right.

John Tully would own and operate many orchards throughout Evergreen, as would H.L. Stevens. From the 1850’s forward, Evergreen would blossom with orchards.

The East Side Fruit Growers Association opened in 1893 off Tully Road and McLaughlin Road, serving as a trade association for local farmers across Evergreen and East San Jose. They would join a larger sales organization in 1899.

Otis B. Whaley would also make our list of well-known, well-liked orchardists of Evergreen. Also having served on the Evergreen Elementary School Board of Trustees for 27 years, he would cultivate his orchards in Evergreen from 1911 until he passed in 1947. The third school opened in the Evergreen School District would be named in his honor in 1963.

When railroads off Monterey Road became popularized in shipping fruit back east, the fruit industry would shift focus downtown towards the rails. The East Side association, like others in the Santa Clara Valley, would be acquired by the Santa Clara County Fruit Exchange, a dried fruit co-op opened in 1892, once known as the California Prune and Apricot Growers Association. The plant was located across the street from Del Monte’s Canning Plant. California Prune and Apricot would become Sunsweet and can here until 1915. The Fruit Exchange wouldn’t disband until 1916 after the plant burnt down while leased.

Popular companies like Sunsweet, Del Monte, Sun Garden and Valley of Hearts Delight, Richmond-Chase, would ship Evergreen fruit, dried and canned, around the world. Railroads and later Reid-Hillview would play major roles in exporting Evergreen’s produce. Santa Clara County as a whole was known as the Valley of Heart’s Delight, but Evergreen owns the copyright as its owners still live in town. The town and community of Evergreen would identify as an agricultural hotspot well into the 1950’s.

I have a personal relationship with Evergreen orchards picking fruit and pumpkins from the Cortese fruit stand and orchards. My mother and I made a habit of getting cherries there that never made it home, being snacked on between stoplights. Vincent Cortese would immigrate from Sicily in 1917, and work in the orchards. Vincent would eventually marry an Italian-American lady, purchase his own farm in Evergreen and raise his family with an orchardist tradition and one of civil leadership. The orchards in Evergreen would give way to Evergreen Valley College, but John Cortese, also a lawyer, maintains orchards today. This is a tradition that still bears fruit today.

My continued affections for orchards existed in the various fruit trees in my own backyard as a kid. A love of blossoms and blooms enchanted my childhood. Pies and jams of all kinds came out of our Evergreen kitchen. Apple sauce is a tradition. Our backyard gave us peaches in the Spring, Plums in the Summer and Apples all Fall and Winter long. Lemons, and therefore lemonade, are in abundance at my house. To say I’m drawing from experience would be an understatement.

Orchards have always been in my life as a native of Evergreen. Below are pieces that have and haven’t made the cut, but all include our redundant theme of orchards.

Evergreen today

March 9, 2016Concept, Historical Researchdemographics, evergreen, modern, san joseevergreen

As Wikipedia describes it, Evergreen is the neighborhood between the borders of Tully Road to the north, 101 to the West, San Felipe Road to the South and the East foothills to the East. The artwork will revolve around the people, events and places within this area. I’m portraying Evergreen overtime. It begs the question, what is Evergreen today?

Evergreen is home to 126,146 documented residents with 34,151 households. I phrase it that way because we have a lot of long-term visitors indoors and outdoors. Evergreen is half as dense, people per square mile, as the rest of San Jose or San Jose as a whole. We’re evenly split between men and women. The average household size is 3.7 people. Average household income in $135,206. To say Evergreen is diverse would be an understatement. It’s a melting pot brimming with different culture.

Our gorgeous suburb has an average age of 37.4 – 40.2 years of age. I know you think of Silicon Valley types raising their kids in Evergreen, but the Villages Retirement Community tucked back into San Felipe Road tremendously evens out our median age. The Villages is home to hundreds of old Evergreen families and pioneers. It leads me to believe the bulk here is under 10 years old and over 70 years old.

68.5% of workers in Evergreen are White Collar workers, many of those folks working in the healthy tech economy of the Silicon Valley. Almost 50% of residents have college and graduate degrees. 80% of residents in Evergreen have some college experience. Needless to say, education is an important aspect of the Evergreen community.

Evergreen Elementary School District and Eastside Union High School District have 18 public schools, 12 of which have a 9-10 rating as noted by GreatSchools Ratings. I’d say that’s an excellent percentage. All these schools have 5 or above rating. Evergreen Community College hosts classes for more than 11,000 students.

Evergreen was named for its oak trees, lush rolling hills and sparkling waterways that have existed here throughout time. Though summer and autumn months bring a golden quality to our hills, open spaces and rural areas survive here in Evergreen as it was once a farming community.

Though the Evergreen Mural Walk is aimed at instilling pride into the Evergreen neighborhood by drawing upon its roots, it is a brilliant pocket of diversity and growth today that we should be proud of.