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Santa Clara County History Overview



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Since 1875, the California Pioneers have maintained, protected, and preserved the history of Santa Clara County.

California Local Pin Marker Local History Digest

Winds Snap Power Poles, Destroy Piece of Santa Clara History

03/15/2023

Strong wind gusts topped more than 45 mph just before 1 p.m. on March 14, snapping at least six power poles and destroying the famed Mariani’s Restaurant sign on El Camino Real.

Wojcicki Sisters Among STEM Pioneers Getting Their Own Barbie

03/07/2023

For International Women’s Day, Mattel is hoping to inspire young girls to embrace the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by honoring a group of STEM pioneers with their own Barbie doll.

California Local Pin Marker Recent Articles

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Gordon E. Moore, Silicon Valley Pioneer and Intel Co-Founder, Dies at 94

In the 1960s the San Jose State grad predicted the rapid advances in computer chip technology, which became known as the iconic Moore's Law, charting a course for the age of high tech.

Image caption: Detail from a photo tweeted by the city of Watsonville warning residents about the impending atmospheric river storm.
Behind the Levee Breach

On March 10, the Pajaro River flooded the small agricultural town on its banks. Professor Dustin Mulvaney traces the turbulent history of the Central Coast’s second largest watershed.

Image caption: The future of malls looks like one where the rich get richer while lower-end malls simply die out.
Mall Culture and the American Dream

Shopping malls revolutionized how Americans shopped, socialized, and lived. Now, malls face an uncertain future. How did the dream of a new town square go so wrong?

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
Silicon Alleys: True Romance at the Littlest Little Italy

Across the street from Henry’s Hi-Life, I ordered a $16 True Romance right where the $3.50 breakfast used to be. The old building at the corner of St. John Street and N. Almaden Boulevard has transformed itself yet again into …

Image caption: Suburbia has become a defining feature of the California landscape. But what does the word really mean?
How the Suburbs Shaped America, and California Shaped the Suburbs

America has become a mostly suburban country, and California is known for its sprawling ’burbs. But what is a suburb? It turns out California may not be as suburban as people believe.

Image caption: Google is just one of dozens of tech companies announcing major layoffs in 2022 and 2023.
Silicon Valley Boom and Bust: Why California’s Tech Mecca Always Survives

Silicon Valley has been hit with repeated boom and bust cycles throughout its history, and layoffs are sweeping the tech industry in 2023. Here's why the Valley will survive the latest downturn, as it has all the others.

Image caption: Dianne Feinstein began her career in government six years before current Gov. Gavin Newsom was born.
Dianne Feinstein ‘Charted Own Path’ in Legendary Career

Dianne Feinstein, California's longtime senior U.S. Senator, has announced she will end a legendary career in public life that began in 1961 and took off amidst the turbulent, violent era of San Francisco in the 1970s.

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
A Look Back at the Pavilion, DTSJ’s Epic Fail

The San Jose Redevelopment Agency did one thing right. They took pictures. For example, consider a mid-’80s photo depicting wreckage caused by light rail construction and the imminent gutting of streets. It reminds me of pre-war footage, as if someone …

Image caption: Clockwise from upper right: Architect Paul R. Williams, Assemblyman Frederick Madison Roberts, abolitionist Mary Ellen Pleasant, and Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley (with President Gerald Ford).
California Pioneers

Black History Month provides an opportunity to remember the achievements of African Americans who fought for equality in the Golden State.

Metro Silicon Valley logo LOCAL NEWS
Remembering Arnold Del Carlo, Silicon Valley’s Visual Storyteller

One of the greatest photographers in San Jose history has left the building. In fact, many of the buildings he captured have also left. Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Arnold Del Carlo of Saratoga recently passed away at the ripe …

Upcoming Meetings & Events
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Historical Commission Meeting
Monday March 27 2023   7:00 PM

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Mountain View City Council Meeting
Tuesday March 28 2023   6:30 PM

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Heritage Preservation Commission Meeting
Wednesday April 5 2023   7:00 PM

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Historical and Landmarks Commission Meeting
Thursday April 6 2023   6:00 PM

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