Central San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
San Jose High School
150 Years
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2013
1. San Jose High School Marker
Inscription.
San Jose High School. 150 Years. Founded in 1863 during the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, SJHS is the oldeest high school in Santa Clara County and second oldest in California. Its first classes were held in a 2nd floor room of J.G. Orbon’s flour store, where Joseph Bowen, the founder and first teacher and principal taught classes. On January 1, 1868, SJHS was located on Santa Clara Street, where the first diplomas were awarded to high school students. In 1898, a new high school building was ready on Washington Square and declared at the time one of the finest high schools in California. On April 18, 1906, the building was destroyed by the San Francisco earthquake. After the earthquake of 1906, classes were held for two years in the Lincoln school building. On September 9, 1908, a new SJHS was dedicated on San Fernando Street, but with the growth of higher education in the early 1950s, SJHS was forced to relocate once again. The site is now San Jose State University. Since November 2, 1952, SJHS has been at this current location., Graduates include leaders in education, athletics, the arts, business, philanthropy, and public service. These include three United States Congressmen, a San Jose Mayor and Cabinet member. As an International Baccalaureate World School, it continues to provide leadership models.
Founded in 1863 during the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln, SJHS is the oldeest high school in Santa Clara County and second oldest in California. Its first classes were held in a 2nd floor room of J.G. Orbon’s flour store, where Joseph Bowen, the founder and first teacher and principal taught classes. On January 1, 1868, SJHS was located on Santa Clara Street, where the first diplomas were awarded to high school students. In 1898, a new high school building was ready on Washington Square and declared at the time one of the finest high schools in California. On April 18, 1906, the building was destroyed by the San Francisco earthquake. After the earthquake of 1906, classes were held for two years in the Lincoln school building. On September 9, 1908, a new SJHS was dedicated on San Fernando Street, but with the growth of higher education in the early 1950s, SJHS was forced to relocate once again. The site is now San Jose State University. Since November 2, 1952, SJHS has been at this current location.
Graduates include leaders in education, athletics, the arts, business, philanthropy, and public service. These include three United States Congressmen, a San Jose Mayor and Cabinet member. As an International Baccalaureate World School, it continues to provide leadership models.
Erected
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2013 by San Jose High Class of 1972, Native Sons of the Golden West & Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850, E Clampus Vitus.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 2013.
Location. 37° 21.004′ N, 121° 52.273′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Central San Jose. Marker is at the intersection of North 24th Street and East Julian Street, on the right when traveling south on North 24th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 273 North 24th Street, San Jose CA 95116, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, September 17, 2013
2. San Jose High School Marker
has been located at 24th and Julian. The original school subsequent to renovations in later years cost over $2,500,000. In 1952, the original building was selected by the Museum of Modern Art in NYC as one of the forty-three outstanding buildings of the postwar period. (Submitted on September 30, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed By Richard Bebrent, Publisher, circa 1905
3. San Jose High School
Photographed By N/a, circa 1906
4. San Jose High School destroyed by the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 30, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 855 times since then and 108 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on September 30, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3. submitted on October 1, 2013. 4. submitted on September 30, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
