Conservation areas are significant because their continuity reflects a particular period of design or architectural style. Significance is derived from a grouping of structures viewed as a whole rather than from the importance of an individual building. The historic significance of these areas generally reflects developmental patterns of growth in the city rather than associations with individuals or events.
The areas described represent neighborhoods within the central planning area containing significant historical and architectural structures. Each area is defined in terms of its physical boundaries and not its historical development. The distinctions were made primarily on the basis of similar style and period of design or on distinct physical separation between areas such as major thoroughfares and rivers. The conservation areas described area listed in the order in which they were reviewed and are not ranked as to importance.
The San Jose Downtown Commercial Historic District which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places is composed of both architecturally and historically significant buildings. Dating from the 1870s to the early 1940s, the district represents the remaining vestiges of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century commercial structures in the downtown. The area continues to serve as a major financial, commercial center for San Jose. The district is composed of two city blocks located between East Santa Clara Street to the north, East San Fernando Street to the south, South Third Street to the east and South First Street to the west. The district continues on the south side of East Santa Clara between South Third and South Fourth Streets. District boundaries were determined by the historical limits of the downtown, architectural quality, and intrusion factors. Structures on adjacent blocks were not included as demolition and new construction has undermined the area's historical and architectural integrity.
The west side of South Third Street defines the district's eastern boundary, running between East Santa Clara and East San Fernando Streets. Lack of historical associations with the City's core and recent demolition eliminates the east side of South Third Street from the district. The north side of East San Fernando Street between South Third Street and South First Street defined the district's southern boundary. South First Street confines the western edge of the district and is immediately adjacent to the 1797 location of El Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe. East Santa Clara Street between First Street and Fourth Street delineates the district's northern boundary. Intrusions mar the northern side of East Santa Clara Street confining the district to the south side of the street.
This residential neighborhood located just east of the San Jose State University campus is bounded by Eleventh Street on the west, Coyote Creek on the east, East Santa Clara Street on the north, and East William Street on the south. The 140-acre area was the estate of General Henry M. Naglee, a veteran of the Civil War. After his death, the General's heirs sold off the property, under the guidance of famed San Jose real estate developer T.S. Montgomery. Construction of buildings probably began around 1904. Close proximity to the Central Business District and the University made Naglee Park a desirable place to live, and here most of San Jose's civic- and business-minded citizens resided during the early 1900s. Many of these homes were designed by architects. Today, the neighborhood is undergoing a transition; the recent down zoning of residential density has encouraged new families to move into the area. Rehabilitation and restoration activity is evident throughout the neighborhood.
Architecturally, the area has many fine early twentieth-century homes built in a variety of styles. Naglee Park is an excellent example of the evolution of house design from the early 1900s through the bungalow era, culminating with the Spanish Colonial Revival styles of the early twenties.
Because the neighborhood streets have remained virtually unchanged by new development over the years, the architecture of the area has good visual integrity. Few intrusions of incompatible design mar the neighborhood with the exception of the northern periphery where expansion of new office construction has intruded into Naglee Park.
Naglee Park appears to meet all the criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as a district.
This district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. It is composed of the largest concentration of Victorian homes left in the central city area. Bounded by Second street to the west, Empire Street to the north, Sixth Street to the east, and Julian Street to the south, the area has a mix of single and multi-family uses. Many of the larger residences have been divided into flats and apartments.
Historically, the eastern side of the neighborhood was a part of the Hensley estate, bounded by First, Empire, and Fourth Streets with the Southern Pacific railway tracks serving as the southern edge of the property. Major Hensley settled here after 1849 when he left the gold fields. The property was subdivided in 1896; again with the services of T.S. Montgomery.
Architecturally, the houses represent some of the best examples of Italianate, Stick- Eastlake, and Queen Anne styles popular between the 1870s and 1890s. The neighborhood is made up of representative examples of the styles. The many larger and more elaborate homes located on North Third Street and the less elaborate workingmen's homes on the North Fifth Street exhibit two interpretations of the styles on different scales.
This district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and became a City Historic District in 1984. It is composed of St. James Park itself and nine Classical style structures that face the Park. These structures are the old Main Post Office, Santa Clara County Courthouse, Letcher Garage, First Church of Christ Scientist, St. Claire Club, Scottish Rite Temple (now the San Jose Athletic Club), First Unitarian Church, Eagles Hall, and the Trinity Episcopal Church.
Because the Square is the only public square left in the City and because the important structures which face the park represent excellent examples of civic design from the decades between the 1860s and 1930s, the district easily met criteria for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
Originally laid out in 1848 by Chester Lyman, the plan of St. James Park was revamped to include a pathway design and fountain in 1868. It has undergone a variety of changes since that time. The fountain, which was a central point in the layout of walkways through the park, was removed during the bisection of the park by Second Street in 1955.
This conservation area consists of the Hanchett and Hester Park neighborhoods, which were designed by John McLaren, the designer of Golden Gate Park. The neighborhoods are adjacent to one another with the boundaries being Mariposa Avenue to the south, Magnolia Street to the north, The Alameda to the east, and Park Avenue to the west. The neighborhoods have maintained a high level of architectural integrity through the years and represent a variety of styles including late turn-of-the-century Queen Anne styles, Craftsman bungalow, and Spanish Mission Colonial Revival Residences. In addition, several Prairie style homes are located in Hanchett Park. This style more typically is associated with Frank Lloyd Wright and the Midwest. Of particular interest is palm tree-lined Martin Avenue located just off The Alameda. This street contains some of the best mix of Prairie, Spanish Revival, and Craftsman styles found in San Jose. The residence park was surveyed in 1906 and was originally part of the fairgrounds. Interesting design features include the curb curvatures at the Martin Avenue intersections, which at one time had granite monuments in their centers.
The neighborhoods were easily served by trolley cars that ran between Santa Clara and downtown San Jose on the Alameda. They also traveled along Martin Avenue and Tillman Avenue to Park Avenue.
While both neighborhoods are included within one conservation area, it appears that Martin Avenue of the Hanchett Park neighborhood meets qualification for listing on the National Register as an important streetscape.
This area consists of the Palm Haven neighborhood of Willow Glen and several adjacent streets including Bird and Coe Avenues. Palm Haven includes many homes from the 1930s and 1940s, and has been noted as a significant neighborhood for its excellence of design layout which has been tied together by the planting of palm trees along all the streets. The most impressive street is Palm Haven Avenue itself, bisected lengthwise by a grassy median planted with a row of palms and ending at a plaza with a triangular, grassy park area.
The north side of the intersection of Plaza and Coe Avenue is marked by a gateway leading into the subdivision. The residence immediately east of this gate was probably a model home judging from the similarity of design elements. Many of the homes of this early twentieth-century subdivision were architect-designed, attesting to the neighborhood's prominence within what was then the town of Willow Glen. This neighborhood does not appear to be threatened by development or zoning, yet its identification as an important cultural resource within San Jose should be recognized.
Located adjacent to Palm Haven are several smaller areas which contain a variety of important architectural resources which have been identified. Of particular concern are a number of important architecturally significant residences on Bird Avenue.
This town, now annexed to the City of San Jose, is a National Register Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Historically, Alviso is one of the oldest towns in the County. It once was expected to be a great city. Because of its location on San Francisco Bay, Alviso was the major commercial shipping point for the entire south county until the late 1800s. The town was almost totally deserted, however, after the railroads diverted travel in 1865. Incorporated in 1852, Alviso is the site of the Bayside Cannery and the South Bay Yacht Club (1896). Both structures are still in use today. Because of its atmosphere resembling a small delta town, and because many of the old early town structures are still in existence, the character of Alviso is unique.
For more information on the National Register see the National Park Service page Links to the Past where you will find more about governmental help with preservation activities.