Gilroy in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Station Master, James A. Houck

Circa 1850

— “Ready to Roll” —

Station Master, James A. Houck Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado

1. Station Master, James A. Houck Marker

Inscription. “Legacy of Gilroy” Commemorating the Historic Transportation District

Traveling north by foot, horse or cart along the El Camino Real was several days journey from the southern Santa Clara valley to the nearest town. Recognizing an opportunity, James Houck began a stage service by building a small, split redwood inn and stable close to the eastern corner of Lewis Street. Nailing an empty cigar box to the porch railing, Houck, who could not read, fashioned a mail-drop and became the first postmaster. With mail service established, the rough-hewn stage stop and post office became a mapped destination that grew into what was to become the City of Gilroy.

A Community Partnership
City of Gilroy
Gilroy Public Art Committee
Gilroy Downtown Business Association
Marlene Amerian, Sculptor
2009

Erected by City of Gilroy.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.

Location. 37° 0.59′ N, 121° 34.209′ W. Marker is in Gilroy, California, in Santa Clara County. It is at the intersection

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of Monterey Street and Fourth Street, on the right when traveling south on Monterey Street. The marker and sculpture are at the sidewalk on the street corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gilroy CA 95020, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area

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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gilroy Historic Site No. 2 (within shouting distance of this marker); Robinson Hardware Co. (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Thornton Building (about 500 feet away); Southern Pacific Coast Daylight GS-4 (about 500 feet away); Gilroy Historic Site No. 14 (about 700 feet away); The Stinking Rose (approx. 0.2 miles away); Gilroy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Agriculture in Gilroy

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 5, 2023

2. Station Master, James A. Houck Marker

(approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gilroy.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Gilroy's First Post Office (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.