Alviso in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Union Warehouse and Docks
ca. 1850
| | City of San Jose Capital of the Silicon Valley | |
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 5, 2009
1. Union Warehouse and Docks Marker
During Alvisos years as a major shipping port, this warehouse was used for the storage of goods prior to shipping. It was later incorporated into Bayside Cannery and used as a cold storage and refrigeration plant. Today it stands as one of the oldest industrial buildings in Alviso.
Erected 2003 by City of San Jose.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 37° 25.676′ N, 121° 58.75′ W. Marker is in Alviso, California, in Santa Clara County. It is on Hope Street near Elizabeth Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1200 Hope Street, Alviso CA 95002, 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bayside Cannery (within shouting distance of this marker); China Camp (within shouting distance of this marker); Alviso (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); La Montagne Boarding House (about 700 feet away); The Port and Town of Alviso (about 700 feet away); Discover Alvisos Rich History (about 700 feet away); Water Everywhere
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. Pertaining to picture 3
From "Images of America: Alviso, San Jose" by Robert Burrill and Lynn Rogers; 961.473 897; Page 53: The building was first used by John Jacob Ortley as an ice house. Eight foot thick brick walls, packed with sawdust, made for cold storage. Later it was used for union meetings. By 1970, it became known as the Mudflat Gallery.
— Submitted July 31, 2021, by Tammy Grier of San Jose, California.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 5, 2009
2. Union Warehouse and Docks Building
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 5, 2009
3. Union Warehouse and Docks Building
Bayside Canning Company
Packing Houses of Santa Clara County Wiki entry
In 1906, Thomas Foon Chew opened the Bayside Canning Company in Alviso, taking over the Precita Canning Company from his father. Chew grew the business into California's third largest cannery and, at its peak, it employed hundreds of Chinese workers who were lodged in company houses nearby the factory. The depression and the death of Chew in 1931 brought the cannery to the end. The abandoned cannery building is one of the landmarks of Alviso and is covered by a wonderful mural painted in 1981 depicting the history of Alviso.
Click for more information.
Packing Houses of Santa Clara County Wiki entry
In 1906, Thomas Foon Chew opened the Bayside Canning Company in Alviso, taking over the Precita Canning Company from his father. Chew grew the business into California's third largest cannery and, at its peak, it employed hundreds of Chinese workers who were lodged in company houses nearby the factory. The depression and the death of Chew in 1931 brought the cannery to the end. The abandoned cannery building is one of the landmarks of Alviso and is covered by a wonderful mural painted in 1981 depicting the history of Alviso.
Click for more information.
Photographed by Syd Whittle, November 5, 2009
4. Mail Box at the Union Warehouse
First Cannery Santa Clara Co.
National Historical Building 1850
The Mudflat Refuge
1200 Hope Street
Alviso, Calif.
via History San Jose, 1959
5. Alviso
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,674 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 5. submitted on November 23, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
