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San Jose decades: The 1920s
An overhead snapshot of Downtown San Jose in the 1920s.
Downtown San Jose over 100 years ago. | Photo via History San José
You might remember us turning back the clock and exploring San Jose’s history in the swinging 1960s.

Today, we’re back with the newest installment of our decades-inspired series, and we’re taking a deep dive into the great 408 during the roaring 1920s.

📈 Population: 39,642
🗳️ Mayors: Albert C. Jayet (1920-1922), M. E. Arnerich (1922-1924), Joseph T. Brooks (1924-1926), Dan W. Gray (1926-1928), Fred Doerr (1928-1930)

1921 — San Jose City College is founded, with an enrollment of 86 students. The California State Normal School — aka San José State University — changes its name to State Teachers College at San Jose.

A 1920s-era postcard of the front of the Winchester Mystery House.

Greetings from 1920.

Photo via History San José

1922 — Construction on the Winchester Mansion ceases after 36 years, following Sarah Winchester‘s death.

1923 — The Prohibition closes down a saloon at 702 S. First St., and the site becomes Faber’s Cyclery (which now houses Camino Brewing Co.). 🚲

1924 — San Jose’s oldest full-service restaurant, Wing’s Chinese Restaurant, opens out of Heinlenville Chinatown. The city’s oldest bakery, Greenlee’s Bakery, opens the same year.

1925 — The Scottish Rite Temple — which housed the local Masonic order — is built across from St. James Park.

1926 — Downtown’s Bank of Italy building, which was Bank of America’s first branch + headquarters, opens — becoming one of San Jose’s most iconic towers. 🏦

A black-and-white picture of the California Theatre gathering a large crowd in the 1920s.

Big Hollywood stars traveled to San Jose for the California Theatre’s opening day.

Photo via History San José


1927 — The California Theatre (formerly known as the Fox Theatre) celebrates its opening day in April. Rosicrucian Park is created by Ancient and Mystical Order of Rosae Crucis (AMORC) founder H. Spencer Lewis.

1928 — Mayor Fred Doerr takes office — at the time of his death in 2013, he was San Jose’s oldest surviving mayor. 🗳️

1929 — The San Jose Women’s Club moves into its current home at 75 S. 11th Street.

Did you enjoy this decade roundup? Let us know if there’s another decade you’d like us to explore.
6AM City In-house

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Thursday, Nov. 10
  • Hans Kim | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 8 p.m. | San Jose Improv, 62 South 2nd St., San Jose | $20 | This provocative comedian has opened for Joe Rogan and Tony Hinchcliffe.
  • Prieto at MACLA | Thursday, Nov. 10-Saturday, Nov. 12 | 8-10 p.m. | MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana, 510 South 1st St., San Jose | $30 | Nationally acclaimed poet Yosimar Reyes shares his journey growing up as a queer, undocumented immigrant in East San Jose.
  • San Jose Bachata Nights | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 9-12 p.m. | On One Studios, 422 N Capitol Ave., San Jose | $15-$25 | Experience this dance party equipped with lighting, smoke machines, and state-of-the-art sound equipment.
Friday, Nov. 11
  • Kevin Ortiz | Friday, Nov. 11 | 8 p.m. | La Ceiba Event Center, 4100 Monterey Hwy., San Jose | $40 | This Latin pop singer from Pasadena also has ties to Mexican regional music.
  • Into the Woods | Friday, Nov. 11-Saturday, Nov. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Hammer Theatre Center, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose | $20 | Every wish has an unexpected consequence in this Sondheim classic.
Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Artisans Fair | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Wesley United Methodist Church , 566 N. Fifth St., San Jose | Free | Join the Nikkei Matsuri Foundation for its first fall event, and shop from Japanese + Asian-influenced vendor and nonprofit booths.
  • Community Planting | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Hellyer County Park , 985 Hellyer Ave., San Jose | Free | Join Our City Forest and learn how to properly plant a tree.
  • eWaste Recycling Event | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1100 Shasta Ave., San Jose | Free | Drop your old electronics at this event hosted by Trash Punx.

We have a monthly 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.
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Weather
  • 60º | Sunny | 7% chance of rain ☀️
Community
Development
  • And the Row will grow... Santana Row may add 2,150 new parking spots on a 42.53-gross acre site on the southeast corner of Winchester + Stevens Creek Boulevard. There will be a public meeting on Thursday, Nov. 17 to address questions and concerns. 👀
  • A 187-unit affordable housing complex is being proposed at a South San Jose site located at 1816 and 1818 Hillsdale Avenue. The plans detail ground-floor retail + a parking garage, and maintaining most of the shopping center it is being built around. A construction timeline has not been announced. (The Mercury News)
Coming Soon
  • Voyager Craft Coffee recently announced expansion plans into a large building near Downtown San Jose. Its open floor layout will house its bakery and roasting teams, and community classes + events. It is expected to open in late winter to early spring. Psst... Voyager’s hiring. ☕
Featured
  • San José State University Professor Jan English Leuck recently sat down with Fox 2 News to discuss the new Muwekma Ohlone Tribe “Reclamation” exhibit at the New Museum Los Gatos. She highlighted the display’s importance in helping the tribe claim federal recognition — see it for yourself. (Fox 2 News)
Show
  • The San José Chamber Orchestra recently announced its December production, “Celebration,” to be performed on Saturday, Dec. 31. Welcome the new year with renowned pianist Jon Nakamatsu and clarinetists Jon + Alec Manasse, among other musicians. Tickets are available now. 🎼 (Broadway World)
Sports
  • San José State University Athletics recently announced its new Silicon Glow Floor will open this December. The new court is part of several improvements coming to the Provident Credit Union Event Center, along with a wall video scoreboard. 🏀
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Announced
  • Exclusive birthday deals, shoutouts on our member wall, insider information from our team, discounts from our online shop — that’s just a few of the perks you get when you join the SJtoday Membership Program. Learn more + sign up for this new way to support local journalism. 💻
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Listen
  • We already know that you love San Jose, so you might love this too. Home Where You Belong is a weekly podcast that explores how to feel more at home in your living space and city, provides tools for deepening your relationships + connections with your community, and more. Listen online or wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧 *

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Birds of a feather...

Raptor migration season in Santa Clara Valley
A golden eagle soars through the sky.
Look up, and you may catch some beautiful birds flying overhead. | Photo via Open Space Authority by David Mauk
Keep your eyes on the sky... 👀

November is migration season for raptors, so you may spot various birds of prey while out on your hiking adventures.

Here are some of the species that the Open Space Authority says to look out for:

🦅 Golden eagle
As lovers of grasslands + woodlands, these birds can be spotted at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve.

🦅 Peregrine falcon
These California natives adapt well to urban environments (sound familiar?), and are the fastest animals on earth — flying up to 240 mph.

🦅 Prairie falcon
Spotted on the grasslands of Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge, these birds can be identified by the brown markings on their backs + top of wings.

There are nine more species you can spot soaring through our region — send us a picture of your sighting for a chance to be featured in a future newsletter.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Alyson.

Editor’s pick: I heard that this Veterans Day (Friday, Nov. 11), the National Park Service is offering veterans + their families a free lifetime pass to acess more than 2,000 federal recreation sites. Also, Fridays are fee-free days anyways — and I definitely think our parks are worth the drive. I can now say I visited two of them, Joshua Tree + Yosemite National Parks. 🌲

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We shared the results of the 2022 November election.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Alyson Chuyang, Nicole Calande, Trevor Peters, Britt Thorson, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Allie Wetteland | Advertise with us.

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