North San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First Honeybees in California

State Historic Landmark #945 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 12, 2007

1. State Historic Landmark #945

The State Historic Landmarks Marker is dedicated to the memory of San Jose City Historian Clyde Arbuckle.

Inscription. Here, on the 1,939-acre Rancho Potrero de Santa Clara, Christopher A. Shelton in early March 1853 introduced the honeybee to California. In Aspinwall, Panama, Shelton purchased 12 beehives from a New Yorker and transported them by rail, “Bongo” pack mule, and steamship to San Francisco. Only enough bees survived to fill one hive, but these quickly propagated, laying the foundation for California’s modern beekeeping industry.

Erected 1983 by State Department of Parks and Recreation, E Clampus Vitus Mountain Charlie Chapter 1850. (Marker Number 945.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Environment • 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 1853.

Location. 37° 21.96′ N, 121° 55.458′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in North San Jose. Marker is on Airport Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. San Jose Municipal Airport, in front of Terminal C. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1661 Airport Boulevard, San Jose CA 95110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of

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this marker, measured as the crow flies. Santa Clara Depot (approx. 1.1 miles away); a different marker also named Santa Clara Depot (approx. 1.1 miles away); The Santa Clara Interlocking Control Tower (approx. 1.1 miles away); Santa Clara Tower (approx. 1.1 miles away); Santa Clara Mission (approx. 1.2 miles away); Santa Clara Women’s Club Adobe (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Walnut Growers Association (approx. 1.4 miles away); Parade of Champions (approx. 1.4 miles away).

More about this marker. Now, February, 2016, this marker is located in front of Terminal B, at 1701 Airport Boulevard, Suite B 1240, the USO.

First Honeybees in California Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 12, 2007

2. First Honeybees in California Marker

Today all that remains of the 1,939-acre Rancho Potrero de Santa Clara, is this state historic landmarks plaque. San Jose's Norman Y. Mineta International Airport now occupies the site.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 24, 2016

3. First Honeybees in California Marker

Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) image. Click for full size.

4. Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera)

In early March 1853, Christopher A. Shelton introduced the honeybee to California.

San Jose International Airport image. Click for full size.

5. San Jose International Airport

Airport now occupies the land where the Rancho Potrero de Santa Clara once stood.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 2,792 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 18, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 3. submitted on February 24, 2016, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4, 5. submitted on November 18, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.