Los Gatos in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Forbes Flour Mill
Photographed By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 4, 2007
1. Forbes Flour Mill Marker
This is all that remains of the four-story stone flour mill built in 1854 by James Alexander Forbes. The town that grew around this building was first called Forbes Mill, then Forbestown, and finally Los Gatos.
Erected 1950 by California Centinals Commission, Los Gatos Lion's Club. (Marker Number 458.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 37° 13.334′ N, 121° 58.818′ W. Marker is in Los Gatos, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker can be reached from Church Street. Plaque located on south wall outside Mill Annex - Forbes Mill Museum building, at the end of the driveway near Freeway pedestrian over-crossing of State Highway 17. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 75 Church St, Los Gatos CA 95030, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. 911 Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Flame of Liberty Memorial (about 600 feet away); Historic Fire Bell
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Additional commentary.
1. Forbes Mill
Text of plaque shown in Photo 2.
James Alexander Forbes, Scottish immigrant and enterprising businessman, boldly began building this gristmill in 1850. Forbes Mill was producing wheat flour from crops harvested in the southern San Jose area by December of 1855. Ebbing water supplies and increasing debts caused Mr. Forbes to sell his mill including 2,000 acres to Gustave Touchard on December 6, 1858. The headwater was raised 200 feet and a turbine replaced the old waterwheel in 1870. Settlements which thrived on the surrounding lands became known as “Forbestown” and renamed “Los Gatos” in 1887.
Dedicated April 30, 1994, Los Gatos Museum Association [and] Mountain Charlie Chapter
Photographed By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 4, 2007
2. Forbes Mill Plaque
This additional historic marker was placed by the efforts of the Mountain Charlie chapter 1850, E. Clampus Vitus, dedicated on April 30th, 1994. It is located next to the California State Historic Landmarks Plaque, on the left side of the museum entrance.
“Rights Wrongs Nobody”
— Submitted November 7, 2007.
Photographed By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 3, 2007
3. Forbes Mill Annex Building
Today, the mill annex is the only remaining structure left of the original mill and now serves as the home of the History Museum of Los Gatos.
Distributed by Edw. H. Mitchell, SF, Ca.
4. Vintage Postcard
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 2,680 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 4. submitted on September 21, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
