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

United States Post Office

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 22, 2021

1. United States Post Office Marker

Inscription. Constructed in 1892 this was the first federal building in San José. It served as U.S. post office from 1892 to 1933. Designed by Willoughby Edbrooke and constructed of locally quarried sandstone, this Romanesque style structure, built by the United States government, is the last of its kind on the west coast.

Erected 1972 by State Department of Parks & Recreation, Fine arts gallery association of San Jose, San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission, San Jose Historical Museum. (Marker Number 854.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Postal Mail and Philately series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.

Location. 37° 20.004′ N, 121° 53.41′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown San Jose. It is at the intersection of West San Fernando Street, on the right when traveling north on West San Fernando Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 South Market Street, San Jose CA 95113, 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. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Freedom Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Joseph’s Cathedral

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza de Cesar E. Chavez (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Centennial Commemoration of the World's First Broadcasting Station (about 300 feet away); First State Capitol Building (about 300 feet away); Site of World’s First Broadcasting Station (about 300 feet away); World’s First Broadcasting Station (about 300 feet away); Herrold Radio Broadcasting Station (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 22, 2021

2. United States Post Office Marker

April 25, 2010

3. United States Post Office Marker

Old San Jose Post Office Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, November 4, 2007

4. Old San Jose Post Office Building

This sandstone building was constructed to house the Post Office for the growing city of San Jose. The top floor of the tower was damaged beyond repair by the 1906 Earthquake and was never restored (see photo, below). It now serves as the buildings clock-tower. Today, the building is now home to the San Jose Museum of Art.

United States Post Office image. Click for full size.

April 25, 2010

5. United States Post Office

The former United States Post Office, now the San Jose Museum of Art image. Click for full size.

August 19, 2020

6. The former United States Post Office, now the San Jose Museum of Art

Courtesy of Clyde Arbuckle and the San Jose Public Library California Room, circa 1900

7. United States Post Office

"Front exterior view of the San Jose Post Office. This image shows the clock and tower that was destroyed during the 1906 earthquake."

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 2,984 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 22, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on May 15, 2010. 4. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 5. submitted on May 15, 2010. 6, 7. submitted on August 20, 2020. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.