Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Hostess House War and Veterans Memorial
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2012
1. Veterans and War Memorial Plaques
[Several veterans memorials are located at the base of the flagstaff in front of the Hostess House.]
Side A:
McKinley Post
Number 187
Dept. of Calif. And Nev.
Grand Army
of the Republic
Veterans of the Civil War
Organized in Palo Alto
January 21st 1905
There are at this date fourteen living members whose average age is seventy-five years.
This plaque was dedicated and placed
in position on Decoration Day
May 30th 1918
One country and one flag
Chas. M. Fitzgerald, Post Commander
Side B:
This flagstaff was erected by Palo Alto Parlor Number 216, Native Sons of the Golden West
Assisted by patriotic citizens of Palo Alto.
Dedicated and deeded to the City of Palo Alto
Oct. 28 1908
E.A. Hettinger – Chairman • George Williams – Secretary • A.T. Lund • I.P Vandervort
Side C:
El Camino Parlor
* Number 144 *
Native Daughters
of the Golden West
Instituted June 21
1904 * Palo Alto
* California "
Spread the Golden Gates Wide Open
to thy Daughters of the West
seeking entrance at the portal
of our order grand and blest
Side D:
this page online
California Pioneers of Santa Clara County
Plaque Near Flagpole:
This memorial is dedicated
to all the men and women
who served in the Armed Forces
of the United States of America
Erected by the Palo Alto
United Veterans Council
May 30th, 1983
Erected 1909 by Palo Alto Chapter GAR, Native Sons & Daughters of the Golden West, Pioneers of Santa Clara County and Palo Alto Veterans Council.
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series list. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1790.
Location. 37° 26.584′ N, 122° 9.922′ W. Marker is in Palo Alto, California, in Santa Clara County. It is at the intersection of Mitchell Lane and University Avenue on Mitchell Lane. Touch for map.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2012
2. McKinley Post - Grand Army of the Republic
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in the 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, on 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 Mexico’s Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hostess House (a few steps from this marker); Palo Alto’s First Community House (within shouting distance of this marker); Bicentennial Redwood Mini Grove (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); America250 Liberty Tree Grove (about 400 feet away); The Face Book (approx. 0.2 miles away); History of Tower Well (approx. ¼ mile away); First Elementary School (approx. 0.3 miles away); 401 Florence (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palo Alto.
Additional commentary.
1.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2012
3. Native Sons of the Golden West Plaque
It is interesting to note that, although created over a span of at least a decade, the NSGW, GAR and NDGW plaques are all of the same design with a frame of six-pointed stars and vertical stripes.
The California Pioneers plaque is also notable as it is made of wood.
— Submitted May 29, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2012
4. Native Daughters of the Golden West Plaque
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2012
5. California Pioneers of Santa Clara County Plaque
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 27, 2012
6. Servicemen and Servicewomen Memorial Plaque
Photographed by Diane Phillips
7. The Hostess House War and Veterans Memorial
The memorial with all the plaques has been removed.
Photographed by Alice Mansell, September 20, 2026
8. The Hostess House War and Veterans Memorial
Restored and rededicated on Veterans Day November 11, 2024. Project led by Stanford University which owns the land under the monument, City of Palo Alto, and the local members of the American Legion which led a lobbying effort to restore this monument to public view.
Photographed by Alice Mansell, September 20, 2026
9. Flagpole monument restored in 2024
Photographed by Alice Mansell, September 20, 2026
10. The Hostess House War and Veterans Memorial
The three original remaining metal markers were restored in 2024.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,308 times since then and 43 times this year. Last updated on May 29, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 31, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 7. submitted on May 25, 2021, by Diane Phillips of Pittsburg, California. 8, 9, 10. submitted on September 22, 2026, by Alice Mansell of Los Altos, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
