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 . 📚
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. 🏦
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.