History Park in San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Rod Diridon Sr. Trolley Barn

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

1. Rod Diridon Sr. Trolley Barn Marker

Inscription. Electric trolleys were the main source of public transportation in San José between 1880 and 1938. These streetcars operated on nearly 130 miles of track throughout Santa Clara Valley. Automobiles were still too expensive to be widely owned, so many San José residents used the trolleys to travel around town and into the countryside with tracks extending as far as Los Gatos, Saratoga, Alum Rock Park and Palo Alto.

The California Trolley and Railroad Corporation began is Historical Restoration Project in 1984 as a place to restore and display the historic trolleys. By 1988 the first restored trolleys were used for public transportation in downtown San José and continue today. The Trolley Barn replicates trolley-buildings from the early 1900s and display trolleys and other historic vehicles.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 37° 19.178′ N, 121° 51.458′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in History Park. It can be reached from the intersection of Senter Road and Phelan Avenue, on the left when traveling south. The resin marker is mounted to wood posts between the blacksmith and trolley barn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 635 Phelan Avenue, San Jose CA 95112, 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 Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. Warburton’s Office (a few steps from this marker); The Print Shop (a few steps from this marker); The Printing Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Replica 1888 Ng Shing Gung – Temple of Five Gods (within shouting distance of this marker); Paulson House (within shouting distance of this marker); Pacific Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); O’Brien’s (within shouting distance of this marker); Bank of Italy (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Other markers no longer nearby. The Nelson-DeLuz House (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Ng Shing Gung (was within shouting distance of this marker).

More about this marker. Inset Images:
Rod Diridon, Sr. As Santa Clara County Supervisor, Rod Diridon, Sr. championed the construction that started several of the local transit operations including Caltrain Peninsula Commute Line and the County Light Rail Agency. Diridon founded the California Trolley and Railroad Corporation to preserve the legacy of rail transportation in the Santa Clara Valley for future generations.
1) Restored Trolley; photographer unknown, c.1988
2) Trolley Barn interior with volunteers

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

2. Rod Diridon Sr. Trolley Barn Marker

The Trolley Barn is on the right.

at work; photographer unknown, c.1987
3) Trolley in Alum Rock Park; photographer unknown, c.1905
4) Trolley in downtown San Jose; photographer W.P. Mack, c.1905
For more information about the Trolley Barn and early transportation in San José, please visit our website: www.historysanjose.org
This sign made possible by a generous grant from the Farrington Historical Foundation.

History Park Map image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 24, 2023

3. History Park Map

El Camino Real bell in the background.

Entrance to Rod Diridon Sr. Trolley Barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tammy Grier, May 25, 2024

4. Entrance to Rod Diridon Sr. Trolley Barn

Interior of the Barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tammy Grier, May 25, 2024

5. Interior of the Barn

Where trolleys are restored and maintained.

Rod Diridon Sr. Trolley Barn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tammy Grier, May 25, 2024

6. Rod Diridon Sr. Trolley Barn

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 22, 2021

7. Trolley

Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 25, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 25, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 3. submitted on June 26, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 27, 2024, by Tammy Grier of San Jose, California. 7. submitted on February 12, 2026, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.