Downtown San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Site of "City Gardens" Nursery of Louis Pellier
Photographed By George Midwin, 2024
1. Pellier Park Marker
Pellier, native of France, and founder of California's prune industry, came to California in 1849. In October 1850 he established a nursery called "City Gardens" on this site. Here, aided by his brothers Pierre and Jean, he introduced the French prune "La Petite d'Agen" during the winter of 1856-57.
California Registered Historical Landmark No. 434.
old temporary marker:
San Jose City Gardens Nursery
People traveled far and wide to visit Louis Pellier’s City Gardens Nursery and purchase orchard and vineyard fruit varieties from Europe.
Louis Pellier
Louis Pellier is credited with the introducing la petite prune d’Agen, the little French prune to the Valley of Heart’s Delight. This fruit make Santa Clara County the largest fruit producing and canning center in the world.
Pellier House
The success of the French prune allowed Louis Pellier to build his home and expand his holdings in Santa Clara County.
Photos courtesy of History San Jose
Erected 1977 by State Department of Parks and Recreation; and San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission. (Marker Number 434.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture
this page online
Location. 37° 20.264′ N, 121° 53.755′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown San Jose. Marker is on St. James Street just east of Terraine Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 183 St James Street, San Jose CA 95110, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Thomas Fallon House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Juan Bautista de Anza Trail (about 500 feet away); International Business Machines : RAMAC (about 700 feet away); Luis María Peralta Adobe (about 700 feet away); Birthplace of A.P. Giannini (approx. 0.2 miles away); Santa Clara County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Palomar Ballroom (approx. 0.2 miles away); Henry's Hi-Life (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.
More about this marker. California Historical Landmark #434 - Pellier Nursery, and other markers were temporarily removed from Pellier Park.
The plaque was removed in 2007 for construction, and in 2024 it was reinstalled.
Photographed By George Midwin, 2024
2. Pellier Park
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. — Other historical markers removed from Pellier Park during construction.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012
3. Pellier Park Temporary Marker
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012
4. Pellier Park Location
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 1, 2012
5. Pellier Park Redevelopment Plans
Photographed By Donald Laird, July 12, 1995
6. Pellier Park Marker - 1995
Credits. This page was last revised on April 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2012. This page has been viewed 814 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on August 9, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 3, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 14, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 6. submitted on August 9, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
