Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve in Los Gatos in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Alma College
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 1, 2024
1. Alma College Marker
The land along this ridgeline has been deeply admired and repeatedly altered-by wealthy estate owners beginning in the 1850s, then by the Jesuits of Alma College from 1934 until the 1950s. Midpen invites you to form your own connection with this landscape as you explore carefully-rehabilitated layers of past lives.
You are stepping into a cultural landscape
This site is considered a cultural landscape because it has a unique connection to California's past. It is a place that reflects layers of human history and cultural themes with deep ties to the natural environment.
Midpen rehabilitated this landscape by:
• Removing or sealing off some features for public safety.
• Reconstructing other features to preserve and interpret their integrity.
• Reusing old materials, planting native species, and controlling stormwater.
"Rehabilitation treatment seeks to secure and emphasize continuity while acknowledging change."
- From Midpen's 2017 Rehabilitation Plan
Erected 2023 by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Churches & Religion
this page online
Location. 37° 10.968′ N, 122° 0.191′ W. Marker is in Los Gatos, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Marker can be reached from Bear Creek Road south of Mellotts Road, on the left when traveling south. The resin marker is mounted in a metal frame at the beginning of the walking trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Gatos CA 95033, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Alma College Dormitory Foundations (within shouting distance of this marker); Men Become Priests at Alma College (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserve and Protect (within shouting distance of this marker); Layers of History (within shouting distance of this marker); Remnant of the Alma College Classroom (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alma College Library Foundation (about 300 feet away); Lexington Reservoir County Park (approx. 1.2 miles away); Lexington Reservoir (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Gatos.
More about this marker. Inset Images
Midpen removed portions of
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 1, 2024
2. Alma College Marker
In 1934, the Jesuits repurposed Harry Tevis' 1909 library as a chapel for their new Alma College. Midpen reconstructed the exterior, sealed off interior areas and added ventilation, and stabilized the porch to allow outdoor access at the back of the building.
During construction, many materials were salvaged for reuse. Old masonry tiles filled gaps on porches, walkways, and stairs. Salvaged redwood was used for the Classroom railing, Library roof, and Marian Shrine repairs. Look closely at the west face of the 1934 Library to find repurposed brick.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve
"Prevented from becoming a golf course and country club with luxury residences by a coalition of environmental activists, the land was far from pristine. It was extensively logged in the mid-1800s and briefly became a fish farm before being developed into a massive self-sufficient estate that passed between a couple of California's wealthiest families. The Catholic order of the Society of Jesus later repurposed the estate buildings(Submitted on January 21, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)to open Alma College, a theologate to train Jesuit priests."Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 1, 20243. Alma College Marker
Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, January 1, 2024
4. Alma College Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 21, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 58 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 21, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.
