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

First State Capitol Building

Site of California's First State Capitol Marker image. Click for full size.

By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 4, 2007

1. Site of California's First State Capitol Marker

This was the location of California's First State Capitol, from 1849 to 1851.

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Directly opposite this tablet was located the first State Capitol Building in which California’s first legislature assembled in December 1849. San Jose was the seat of government from 1849 to 1851.

Erected 1923 by Historic Landmarks Commission, Native Son's of the Golden West. (Marker Number 461.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Buildings • Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 37° 19.963′ N, 121° 53.376′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker is on South Market Street near Paseo de San Antonio Walk, on the left when traveling north. Plaque is located eastern lawn area of Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, across from the main entrance of the Fairmont Hotel, Northbound Market St. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Paseo de San Antonio Walk, San Jose CA 95113, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First State Capital (within shouting distance of this marker); The Freedom Tree (within shouting

State Historic Landmark #461 image. Click for full size.

By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 4, 2007

2. State Historic Landmark #461

The site of the first capitol, now gone, is now occupied by Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park.

distance of this marker); The Burning of San Jose Chinatown (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinatown (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza de Cesar E. Chavez (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Site of Worlds First Broadcasting Station / World’s First Broadcasting Station (about 500 feet away); Herrold Radio Broadcasting Station (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Additional keywords. California State Capitols

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 3,474 times since then and 73 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.