Missing Places by Tom Layton

Smith-Layton Archive

Charlene Duval, Executive Secretary [email protected] Leilani Marshall, Archivist [email protected]

Phone: 408 808-2064

Sponsored by Linda L. Lester Your donations help us purchase historic photos. Thank you! http://www.sourisseauacademy.org/

[140] Madrone - Vintage maps of the South Bay region record scores of communities and places that were later torn-down, burned-up, or swal- lowed by urban growth. In 1930, a 19-mile drive from San Jose to Morgan Hill went past Hillsdale, Edenvale, Pomar, Coyote, Perry and Madrone. Although in 1939, spectators still filled the stands at Madrone's annual rodeo, that town disappeared after it was annexed by Morgan Hill in 1958. 2 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[141] Rush Hour at Wrights Station in the Santa Cruz Mountains - When Andrew Putnam Hill shot this photo around 1901, Wrights Station in the Santa Cruz Mountains was the fastest route over the hill. The town disappeared after Highway 17 was officially completed in 1940, and the Los Gatos-Santa Cruz railroad subsequently abandoned the route. 3 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[142] Alma - In 1915, the Alma General Merchandise Store and adjacent service station (featuring Trigonia gasoline), together with the nearby train station provided a commercial hub for shipping lumber, supplying local residents, and servicing tourists between San Jose and Santa Cruz. The town disappeared beneath the rising waters of the newly completed Lexington Reservoir around 1952. 4 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[143] Hotel Capitola - Built in 1894, the "Grand" Hotel Capitola with over 300 rooms brought true elegance to the ocean-side resort. Many San Jose residents enjoyed a summer escape from the oppressive heat of the Santa Clara Valley. Changing tastes eventually undercut the hotel's profita- bility; and in August of 1929, all of its contents were sold at public auction. Four months later, the hotel was consumed by a massive fire of suspi- cious origin. 5 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[144] Robertsville - The corner of Branham Lane and Almaden Boulevard is still one of the busiest corners in Santa Clara Valley. The next time you drive past the Robertsville Car Wash, located on the southwest corner, try to visualize Prosper Estrade's Robertsville store, post office and stage stop as it appeared in 1900. 6

Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[145] ] Taking the Waters in Saratoga—The mineral springs located in the western foothills of the Santa Clara Valley attracted San Francisco visitors and investors. A resort was opened in 1866 and named Pacific Congress Springs because the water's mineral content matched that of the original Congress Springs in Saratoga, New York. The popularity of the resort caused the nearby town of McCarthysville to change its name to Sa- ratoga. The resort was a long day's travel from San Francisco by train and stagecoach, but the hot and cold mineral baths were very refreshing. In 1903, the Congress Springs resort hotel burned to the ground. 7 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[146] ] Cannon's Resort - Situated on Alamitos Creek, two miles upstream from New Almaden, Cannon's Resort provided a family-friendly va- cation experience, with swimming pool and kids’ activities, as well as fine dining for adults. When the Almaden Dam was completed in 1936, Can- non's Resort soon vanished beneath Almaden Lake. 8 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[147] Port San-O-Say! - San Jose's Lakehouse District in the Downtown recalls the time around 1914 when the Guadalupe River was dammed to create an artificial lake. The experiment was short-lived. A winter flood washed the boats away, the mosquitoes were a problem in the summer, and residents complained about the small boys jumping from the bridge and swimming naked. The experiment lasted only a year. 9 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[148] Centerville - A rakish sports roadster appears on the street of Centerville in Alameda County in 1915, an omen of a new community. Al- ready with its own post office in 1855, Centerville was among the earliest suburban towns established in the East Bay. In 1956, Centerville joined with Niles, Irvington, Mission San Jose and Warm Springs to incorporate as the City of Fremont. 10 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[149] Camp Fremont - For two years U.S. Army Camp Fremont, located in San Mateo County, occupied 7,200 acres adjacent to the towns of Pa- lo Alto and Menlo Park. Originally part of the Tanforan horseracing center, Camp Fremont was constructed in 1917 in anticipation of American en- try into World War I. With over 1,100 structures, Camp Fremont functioned as a city unto itself. In World War II, the remaining buildings were used to house Japanese-Americans interned as the result of Executive Order 9066. Although Camp Fremont is now forgotten, it provided lasting im- provements to Menlo Park, including not only paved streets but also a municipal water system and gas service. 11 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[150] Evergreen - Today, Evergreen is considered a San Jose Planning District in southeastern San Jose that includes several residential develop- ments known as "urban villages". This image from 1930 shows the Evergreen General Store, which sold ice cream, soda drinks and Violet Gasoline and reminds us that Evergreen has been a community center for decades. 12 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[151] ] Mission Santa Clara - Mission Santa Clara, founded in 1777, was finally constructed at its present location in 1822. Rebuilt many times over the years, the original adobe building received a wood frame facade and eventually two wood-frame bell towers. The structure was repaired again after the 1906 earthquake; but in 1926, the entire building was destroyed in a massive electrical fire that started in the roof. Today, it has been built from reinforced concrete. 13 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[152] The Arden Salt Company - Solar salt, produced by evaporating seawater trapped in dike-enclosed ponds, has been a major South Bay in- dustry since the 1850s. The Arden Salt Works of Newark, with its mountain of unprocessed salt and seen here around 1930, was one of many large bay-shore operations until it merged with Leslie Salt Company in 1936. Today, the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge in Santa Clara County has been created from areas that were once commercial salt evaporators. 14 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[153] The Alum Rock Park Carousel - Established in 1872, Alum Rock Park became one of San Jose's most visited recreation spots, eventually featuring a zoo, bath-house, restaurant, and a natatorium or swimming pool. This pool featured a two-story water slide into a 90-foot facility con- taining heated mineral water. In 1921, a 48-foot diameter C. W. Parker “Carry-Us-All” carousel (with music by Calliaphone) was added to these attractions and was enjoyed by generations of children. Some time in the early 1970s, the San Jose City Council and Parks Commission decided to return the park to its natural state and removed all of the old facilities. If you know what became of the carousel, please let us know! 15 Images on file at the Smith-Layton Archive, Sourisseau Academy for State and Local History November 2018

[154] Frontier Village! - Constructed in 1963 on the grounds adjacent to the Hayes Mansion in Edenvale, Frontier Village featured Hanna- Barbera cartoon characters and became one of the most popular kids' venues in San Jose. Seventeen years later, the land upon which Frontier Vil- lage stood was more valuable as real estate than as a theme park. Frontier Village closed forever in 1980, with almost as much hoopla as when it first opened! 16