North San Jose in Santa Clara in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Old Sites of Mission Santa Clara de Asis
and Old Spanish Bridge
Photographed by George Midwin, July 2015
1. Mission Santa Clara de Assis Marker
Second site 1799–1784 Mission Santa Clara de Asis. Original site January 12, 1777 founded by the Franciscan Fathers 967 yards north, 334 yards south of Bayshore Highway Bridge No. 37–64.
Erected 1953 by Santa Clara Lions Club. (Marker Number 250.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1968.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 21.99′ N, 121° 56.489′ W. Marker was in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. It was in North San Jose. It was at the intersection of De La Cruz Boulevard and Martin Avenue, on the right when traveling east on De La Cruz Boulevard. Located in City of Santa Clara’s “Memorial Cross Park,” Southeast corner of intersection. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Grimes CA 95950, United States of America.
We have been informed that
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in the San Francisco Bay Area and on the Coast Ranges. It was also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it was in North America, on the Ring of Fire, on the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Walnut Growers Association (approx. ¾ mile away); Parade of Champions (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Santa Clara Interlocking Control Tower (approx. 0.9 miles away); Santa Clara Tower (approx. 0.9 miles away); S.E.S. (approx. 0.9 miles away); First Honeybees in California (approx. 0.9 miles away); Santa Clara Depot (approx. one mile away); a different marker also named Santa Clara Depot (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clara.
More about this marker. Plans are underway (in 2007), due to religious concerns of a cross in a public
Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, November 7, 2007
2. The Stone Cross
Regarding Old Sites of Mission Santa Clara de Asis. California Historical Landmark Statement of Significance:
The first mission in this valley, Mission Santa Clara de Thamien, was established at this site by Franciscan Padres Tomás de la Peña and Joseph Antonio Marguia January 12, 1777. Here, at the Indian village of So-co-is-u-ka, they erected a cross and shelter for worship to bring Christianity to the Costanoan Indians.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - Mission Santa Clara sites.
Also see . . . Wikipedia - History of the park and the cross. (Submitted on December 31, 2024.)
Additional commentary.
1.
Vandalism of the nearby St. Francis statue with a broken nose, bashed head, and two decapitated birds along with a missing donor metal marker was reported to City of Santa Clara Police Department on 10/6/2026. Police began investigation on 10/7/2026 as a “hate” crime.
— Submitted October 7, 2026.
Additional keywords. Mission Santa Clara de Asis, Father Junipero Serra, Father Juan Crespi,
Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, November 7, 2007
3. Mission Cross Park
The original Mission was relocated following damage caused by flooding from the nearby Guadalupe River during the winter rainy season.
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, April 12, 2022
4. Former site of the marker
Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, November 7, 2007
5. St. Francis shrine
Photographed by Alice Mansell, September 22, 2026
6. St. Francis Shrine
Bird on arm of St. Francis has lost its head.
Photographed by Alice Mansell, September 22, 2026
7. Mission Santa Clara de Asis site #1
View from a City of San Jose parklet with two palm trees on the corner of Channing and Seaboard. In distance is the De La Cruz/Trimble Bridge over the Bayshore Freeway (Interstate 101).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2007. This page has been viewed 5,876 times since then and 118 times this year. Last updated on April 16, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. Photos: 1. submitted on May 2, 2016, by George Midwin of San Jose, California. 2, 3. submitted on November 8, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 4. submitted on April 16, 2022, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 5. submitted on November 8, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 6. submitted on September 25, 2026, by Alice Mansell of Los Altos, California. 7. submitted on September 29, 2026, by Alice Mansell of Los Altos, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photos of the cross at its new location at Santa Clara University. • Can you help?
