Downtown San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Site of "City Gardens" Nursery of Louis Pellier
Photographed by Donald Laird
1. Nursery of Louis Pellier 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 Pelliers City Gardens Nursery and purchase orchard and vineyard fruit varieties from Europe.
Louis Pellier
Louis Pellier is credited with the introducing la petite prune dAgen, the little French prune to the Valley of Hearts 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 this topic list: 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. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area, in Silicon Valley, and on the Coast Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
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 Marνa 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.
Other markers no longer nearby. Pellier Park (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); Captain Thomas Fallon (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
More about this marker. California Historical Landmark
Photographed by Donald Laird
2. Nursery of Louis Pellier Marker
The plaque was removed in 2007 for construction, and in 2024 it was reinstalled. There are two identical plaques, with one at each end of the 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 George Midwin, 2024
3. Pellier Park
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012
4. Pellier Park Temporary Marker
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012
5. Pellier Park Location
Photographed by Donald Laird, July 12, 1995
6. Pellier Park Marker - 1995
Credits. This page was last revised on February 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 14, 2012. This page has been viewed 1,231 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on August 9, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on March 3, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 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.
