St. James Park (San Jose) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. James Park |
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View west towards the old Santa Clara County Courthouse along N 1st St from St. James Park.
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| Area | 6.8 acres (2.8 ha) |
| Created | 1800s |
| Operated by | Department of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services, City of San Jose |
| Open | daily, sunrise – sunset |
| Public transit access |  Saint James |
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St. James Square
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| Built | 1863–1933 |
| NRHP reference No. | 79000546 |
| Added to NRHP | November 27, 1979 |
St. James Park is a 6.8-acre (2.8 ha) park in downtown San Jose, California. It was first planned as St. James Square in 1848. People started calling it a park in 1885 after a fountain was added. Today, a road and light rail tracks run through the park.
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Park History
St. James Square was drawn on city maps in 1848. But it wasn't really developed until 1863. That's when Trinity Episcopal Church was built next to it. The park started to take shape in the late 1860s. A fence was put up in 1866.
William O'Donnell was hired to design the park. He also worked on two other public squares in San Jose. His main goal was to plant many trees. This would provide much-needed shade in the downtown area. Early photos from 1870 show no paths yet. Some stories say Frederick Law Olmsted helped design the park. However, this has not been officially confirmed.
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A big feature was a fountain in the middle of the park. It was built in 1885. Around this time, people started calling the area St. James Park. The fountain had a statue of a woman. Water flowed from an urn she held. The park's fence was taken down in 1886.
In 1887, Rudolph Ulrich was hired to redesign the park. He added rows of palm trees. These trees created a formal edge for the park. By 1891, paths were added. These paths went diagonally and in curves through the park.
President McKinley's Visit and Memorial
President William McKinley visited San Jose on May 13, 1901. He was on his way to San Francisco. To welcome him, a huge bouquet of flowers was made. It was 30 feet (9.1 m) tall and 90 feet (27 m) around. This was said to be the biggest bouquet ever.
After President McKinley was assassinated in September 1901, San Jose citizens held a memorial. They decided to build a permanent monument in St. James Park.
The William McKinley statue was placed in December 1902. It was officially shown to the public on February 21, 1903. This was the same spot where the president had spoken. The statue is made of bronze and stands on a granite base. It cost about US$13,500 (equivalent to $440,000 in 2022). People donated money to pay for it. A brass cannon is at the base of the monument.
Park Changes Over Time
In 1920, the city drew a map of the park. It showed paths connecting the corners to the central fountain. There were also paths going straight through the middle.
The first fountain was removed in the 1930s. This happened during a big renovation project. This project was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). New restrooms were built in the park. They were removed in the 1950s.
Other memorials were added to the park. One honors Henry Morris Naglee (1915). Another honors Robert F. Kennedy (1970). Kennedy had given a speech in the park in 1968. A bell for San Jose firefighters was moved here in 1994. It was later moved again in 2001.
In 1952, people voted to extend North Second Street through the park. This was to help with more traffic. The road was finished in 1955, splitting the park in two. A plan to remove the road in 1976 did not pass. A senior center was built in the park in 1973.
The St. James Square Historic District was added to a special list in 1979. This list is called the National Register of Historic Places. It includes the park and several buildings around it.
A new fountain was built between 1988 and 1990. It is in the western part of the park. This fountain looks like the old 1885 one, but it is not an exact copy. It is not working right now.
Park Location
St. James Park is surrounded by streets. East St. James Street is to the north. North Third Street is to the east. East St. John Street is to the south. North First Street is to the west. North Second Street cuts through the middle of the park.
The park is served by the Saint James Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail stop. Northbound trains stop along North First Street. Southbound trains stop in the center of the park, along North Second Street. The light rail lines were finished in 1988.
St. James Square Historic District
The St. James Square Historic District was created in 1979. It includes St. James Park itself. It also includes several important buildings around the park. These buildings are considered part of the park's history.
Images for kids
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Old Courthouse
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Post Office
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Trinity Episcopal Church
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Eagles Club
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First Unitarian Church
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Scottish Rite Temple
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Sainte Claire Club
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First Church of Christ Scientist
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