Santa Clara County History Digest

After nine months of intense scrutiny surrounding a Santa Clara County-commissioned government history book project that cost taxpayers over $1 million and contained plagiarized material from sources like Wikipedia, the project has officially been spiked.

A state-appointed panel inching toward recommendations for reparations wants a new state agency to handle compensation and services to Black people.

A small white deer is the sole survivor of a once-large herd created by famed publisher William Randolph Hearst.

The Computer History Museum in Mountain View threw a 40th birthday party Jan. 31 for Apple’s Lisa computer, a gathering that drew a few dozen former Apple employees who worked on the project.

The last time rainfall totals in San Francisco were greater, Abraham Lincoln was president.

We knew their names because they served our communities, were leaders of business and industry, played or coached for the region’s sports teams, or entertained us at area events.

Avi Kwa Ame National Monument will protect sacred Native American sites, wildlife.

Californians are accustomed to being battered by many of nature's whims. Less familiar are volcanic eruptions like the one currently taking place at Hawaii's Mauna Loa. But California's own volcanoes are capable of violent fury.

The local landmark that hosts daytrippers and hostel guests alike is about to undergo renovations that could increase public access.

For many residents, the most infamous aspect of Milpitas history involves the putrid odor that has spread throughout the city, existing for over 100 years and involving multiple factors.

The woman, who moved to Santa Cruz County in the 1950s, is said to have had visions of Jesus, the Virgin Mary and other Catholic saints.

Beauty drew Brieanne Mirjah D'Souza to Eureka.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom recently joined the California Museum in announcing the 15th class of inductees into the California Hall of Fame. They join 138 Californians previously inducted for embodying the state’s innovative spirit.

Low-income patients who need specialized cancer treatment often struggle to get it. Advocates say a new law is a small step toward improving services for those patients.

As the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary turns 30 this year, it will be celebrated by the United States Postal Service. The stamp will be one of 16 representing the National Marine Sanctuary System, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Nonprofit Amigos de Guadalupe purchased the family home in East San Jose. It’s becoming a space for education, historic preservation and housing for young adults.

In nine books, preeminent California chronicler Kevin Starr ranges from the state’s pre-Columbian setting to the 21st century. His knowledge, scholarship and exquisite writing are as breathtaking as one’s first view of Yosemite Valley.

As the wheels of progress begin to chip away at Parkside Hall behind the Tech Interactive, I cannot help but raise the ghosts of rock stars and vacuums.

The Superior Court of Santa Clara County has upheld an environmental impact report and historic preservation permit for St. James Park, denying a petition by the Sainte Claire Historic Preservation Foundation.

There are approximately 6 million items in the inventory of the California State Library. Four million of those are books, and nearly 2,000 of those are law books.

In a corner of San Jose History Park, a yellow historic Victorian house is home to the Museum of the Boat People & Republic of Vietnam.

The Los Altos History Museum’s next exhibit will explore “Radio Revolution of the Roaring 20s.” On display March 3 through May 1, it will showcase the evolution of radio technology and marketing.

After a two-year closure during the pandemic, the Computer History Museum is once again open for those looking to learn about the history of technology.

Kiyoshi Taylor and Kenan Moos, co-founders of the Los Altos-based racial justice organization Justice Vanguard, have created an educational resource titled “100 Years of Black History.”

U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has formally declared “squaw” a derogatory term. Haaland is ordering a federal panel charged with naming geographic places to eliminate racist terms from federal use.

J & P Cosentino Family Farm is an essential part of Santa Clara Valley's history, but unfortunately not enough people know about this landmark, which is now fighting to remain the last agricultural destination standing.

The San Jose City Council has unanimously voted to remove the Thomas Fallon statute, which has caused controversy over the years.

More than 60 years after Santa Clara’s downtown was razed to make way for housing, some residents are hoping to re-create a Main Street of the past, including more opportunities for small businesses and even a trolley system.

The Thomas Fallon statue has long been a point of contention in San Jose. Featuring Fallon raising a U.S. flag during an era where the region technically still belonged to Mexico, it has been vandalized repeatedly in recent years. The city’s Arts Commission has unanimously voted in favor of removing it.

The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s bomb squad detonated a World War I-era grenade that was found in a residential bedroom.

The Morgan Hill Historical Society is celebrating some history of its own as it reaches 50 years of operation. The nonprofit’s accomplishments includes preservation of historic landmarks and archives as well as multicultural education and enrichment programs.

After more than a half-century of being closed, volunteers hope to reopen the Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs. The money raised will be put toward restoring the cabins, establishing camping sites, and installing soaking tubs for the natural hot springs.