Do you know the history of our city’s name? | Photo by SJtoday staff
A San Jose by any other name would still be as sweet... right?
Given how many nicknames San Jose boasts, it’s surprising to realize that San Jose’s official name has had several variations through the centuries.
Today, we’re taking you through the many historical names our city (and its land) has known.
An indigenous past + present
Since 10,300 years ago, this land was home to several indigenous groups — broadly known as the Ohlone — who called the region Thámien.
Due to Spanish colonization, many original, indigenous placenames were lost, but according to SJSU’s Anthropology Lecturer Emeritus Alan Leventhal, many names would have focused on places of importance and would have varied from tribe to tribe.
Since the 1970s, the Muwekma Ohlone have worked with local anthropologists to rename local sites in their traditional languages. For example, the Coyote Hills would translate to “Máyyan Šáatošikma.”
The Spanish legacy
In 1777, Captain Juan Bautista de Anza selected a site along the Guadalupe River for a Spanish civilian settlement named “El Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe,” referencing:
St. Joseph — the Catholic patron saint of pioneers + travelers.
The Guadalupe River — whose namesake, the Virgin de Guadalupe, was the patron saint of the de Anza expedition.
By the 1800s, print publications started simplifying the name to “San José” for the city and the nearby township.
To é or not to é
On Dec. 11, 1943, the United States Board on Geographic Names removed the accentbased on local usage + the formal, incorporated name.
However, in the 1960s and 1970s, residents and officials argued that the accent should be returned to honor the city’s Mexican origin and large Mexican-American community.
While City Council flip-flopped due to the cost of changing documents + signs, it eventually adopted the accent in 1979, which is still its official policy today.
These days, both the accent and non-accented version are equally used around town. So, we’re curious... Which version do you prefer and why?Let us know.
Hammer Presents: Sunset Series - Sunny War | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 8 p.m. | Hammer Theatre, 101 Paseo de San Antonio | $35+ | Catch this Nashville-based singer + songwriter performing her folk and blues hits.
Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun | Thurs., Sept. 22-Sun., Sept. 25 | 4-9 p.m. | San José Museum of Art | $8+ | Inspired by the “Cyborg Manifesto,” this art installation tells a story about workers whose movements are transformed into artificial sunlight. ☀️
Cougars on the Loose | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 8 p.m. | Homestead Bowl & The X Bar, 20990 Homestead Rd., Cupertino | $10 | Listen to comedians of a certain age share stories about mid-life. 🎤
Friday
Careless Whisper | Fri., Sept. 23 | 9 p.m. | Britannia Arms Almaden, 5027 Almaden Expy. | Cover charge varies | Enjoy a blast from the past with this 1980s tribute show. 🎶
The Trims | Fri., Sept. 23 | 8 p.m. | The Ritz, 400 S. First St. | $15 | Jams by a San Jose-based band — featuring special guests The Hot Takes, Weekend Youth, and Chuy Gomez. 🎸
Sunset Cinema at Central Park | Fri., Sept. 23 | 8:30-10 p.m. | Central Park, 969 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara | Free | Earth needs a hero... a hedgehog will do. 🎥
Saturday
626 Night Market Mini | Sat., Sept. 24-Sun., Sept. 25 | 1-10 p.m. | Great Mall, 447 Great Mall Dr., Milpitas | Free entry; $23 VIP access | Enjoy 36+ local business food pop-ups, craft vendors, a full bar, and live music. 🍡
Fountain Blues Festival Fundraiser | Sat., Sept. 24 | 12-9 p.m. | Poor House Bistro, 91 S. Autumn St. | Party on with a lineup of live music, a silent auction + raffle, and New Orleans cuisine. 🎷
Relay For Life | Sat., Sept. 24 | 3-9 p.m. | Willow Glen Elementary School, 1425 Lincoln Ave. | Free | Walk laps to celebrate cancer survivors + remember those lost — and stay for the nighttime luminaria ceremony. 👟
San Jose Community Climate Action Day | Sat., Sept. 24 | 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Veggielution Farm, 647 King Rd. | Free | Participate in this volunteer service event and celebration which includes food, music, and more. 🤝
Whiskies of the World | Sun., Sept. 25 | 4-7:30 p.m. | Hayes Mansion, 200 Edenvale Ave. | $125 | Taste 200+ whiskies from around the globe and meet top distillers. 🥃
Plan Ahead
Harker Concert Series: San Jose Chamber Orchestra | Fri., Sept. 30 | 7 p.m. | Rothschild Performing Arts Center, Patil Theater, The Harker School, 500 Saratoga Ave. | $25 | Enjoy an evening of music with the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, and don’t miss the reception one hour prior to the performance ft. complimentary hors d’oeuvres + soft drinks.*
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
This 3-minute online allergy quiz was designed by allergists to give you the best recommendation for treating your unique allergy symptoms. | Photo provided by Picnic
At SJtoday, we love everything about fall. Almost everything — cozy sweaters are great, but we could do without the inevitable spike in allergies. (And no, it’s not just you — allergies are much worse these days.)
But you don’t have to suffer in sneezy, itchy silence. Picnic is a one-stop shop for allergy treatment, with individually customized plans that combine over-the-counter and prescription med solutions so you can live your best San Jose life unbothered.
BBQ in the Glenwill return this Sat., Sept. 24 from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and bring 20 Bay Area barbecue teams together to compete for delicious prizes. Attendees may purchase barbecue samples + talk with pit masters — learn more at the official website. 🍖 (The Mercury News)
Camino Brewing Co. has three more dates for its Brewer’s Meal: Summer Series — which pairs Bay Area cuisine with one-of-a-kindcraft beer. Enjoy three courses of brunch on Sun., Sept. 25 + Oct. 9, and dinner on Thurs., Oct. 27. Tickets are $125. 🍺
Drink
Yelp South Bay is inviting anyone with a Yelp account to participate in its “Vino Voyage” event series being held from Sat., Sept. 24-Sun., Oct. 9. The celebration of local wineries + wine bars will offer check-in specials, giveaways, happy hours, and more. RSVP for event updates. 🍷
Development
A 22-acre site at 120 Granite Rock Way occupied by a recycling centermay undergo proposed changes that would expand its facility and call for the removal of 47 on-site trees. The public comment period is open until Fri., Nov. 4. 🏗️
Try This
Rumble City Boxing, located at 866 Park Ave., is hosting its first women’s boxing class this Sat., Sept. 24, which will be followed by a potluck brunch + mimosas. The class is $20 for non-members + $15 for members, and more information can be found with coach Sara Koshfam. 🥊
Coming Soon
A new “Treehouse Hotel” is replacing the Sheraton at 1100 N. Mathilda Ave. in Sunnyvale. This first-of-its-kind accommodation will offer 254 rooms + a playful, sustainability-centered experience. Renovations will be completed by late 2023. 🛎️ (The Mercury News)
State
California gas rebate checks — or Middle Class Tax Refunds — will be sent as early as next week. To get the one-time payment, you must meet certain criteria. If you do, utilize the state’s payment estimator to calculate how much you’ll receive. 💵 (KRON 4 News)
Biz
Caliva Dispensary, located at 1695 S. Seventh St., announced plans to lay off 60+ workers throughout November. This move is due in part to the San Jose-based parent company’s decision to shift from wholesale marijuana distribution to retail sales. (Silicon Valley Business Journal)
Can we take you behind the scenes? This little blurb is called a Text Ad, and it’s one of the many ways that brands local to San Jose (and beyond) can reach you through advertising in SJtoday. Learn more about how advertising (which helps keep this newsletter free to you) works here.
Job
In the market for a new job?Join the SJtoday team. We’re hiring a Sales Executiveto lead our advertising relationships. This exec would oversee the entire San Jose territory, identifying and securing new advertising partnerships, and growing existing client relationships —all while earning a competitive salary with unlimited PTO. Learn more + apply.
Trending
Amazon’s “Thursday Night Football” broke records for new Prime memberships last week, with more sign-ups over a three hour periodto view the Chiefs-Chargers game than on Prime Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday. Tonight’s game? Steelers vs. Browns. Join the party with a 30-day free Prime Video trial. 🏈 (CNBC)*
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Dionne Warwick knows the way to San Jose. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa...
Most locals will know that familiar chorus that kicks off Dionne Warwick‘s iconic song, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?”
Some need-to-know facts about this chart-topping hit:
The music was written by Grammy and Academy award-winning composer Burt Bacharach.
The lyrics were written by Hal David, who was inspired by our city after he was stationed here in the Navy.
At first, Dionne did not like the song, but she still received her first Grammy for it.
The song is about a San Josean who quits Hollywood to come back home.
Of course, a song as big as this one has been covered + performed hundreds of times, including by:
Nancy Sinatra
Carpenters
Neil Diamond
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
We’ve collected some of these covers + instrumental renditions in a massive Spotify playlist. One of our favorites?Minoru Muraoka‘s magicalinstrumental cover with traditional wind instruments. Special shoutout to Instant Death’s screamo metal cover, which proves that this song transcends all genre boundaries.
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Nicole.
Editor’s pick: In researching today’s article about San Jose’s name, I learned something I really wanted to share with you.
Fun fact: The name “California” is believed to come from a mythical island in the 1510 chivalric romance “The Adventures of Esplandián” by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. The island — known for its gold, pearls, and Amazonian women warriors — was the kingdom of the fictitious Queen Calafia, who was perhaps named after the title of a Muslim leader — the Caliph.
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