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

REMOVED

SEE LOCATION SECTION

Gordon House

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 25, 2012

1. Gordon House Marker

Inscription.

Gordon House. . Welcome to the Gordon House Home of the Rotary Club of San Jose. Hanford Lennox Gordon was born in 1846 and over his lifetime held a variety of positions as attorney, and officer for the Union Army during the Civil War, a farmer, and a rancher., Hanford and his wife, Mary, moved to San José from Minnesota in 1887. Upon arrival, the Gordons moved into this house, originally located at 5303 McKee Road. Hanford owned four ranches, including over 100 acres of olive grove on McKee Road, also known as Pala del Rancho., Shortly after the move West, the Gordons divorced. Hanford remained embroiled in legal issues including a paternity suit involving a home domestic and at least one dispute which resulted in gunfire. In the late 1890s Hanford moved to Los Angeles, eventually re-married and later died in 1920. Mary Gordon remained in the home until her death in 1929., The house was built in the 1870s. Thanks to the Rotary Club of San Jose, the house moved to History Park in the late 1980s and was restored. Care was taken to restore the veranda in the same manner as the original and the fireplace is made from the original brick. The windows are also original to the house. The Gordon House was dedicated June 6, 1990., During the past 100 years, Members of the Rotary Club of San Jose have volunteered over 3 million hours for community and international service and given over $5 million in grants to 150 community organizations in San Jose., In addition to sending hundreds of wheelchairs, ambulances, mammogram machines, and medical equipment around the world for international projects, San Jose Rotary has provided over 40 Gifts of Life heart operations here in San Jose for adults from developing countries. Partnering with surgeons who repair cleft palates, Rotary has also sponsored several international Rotaplast missions., Since 1985, members have generously supported Rotary International’s commitment to eradicate polio around the world. Working with the United Nations, Rotary has helped prevent over 30 million cases of polio worldwide., In San Jose Rotary has built or made major contributions to San Jose’s First Street Signs (1915) . Downtown Drinking Fountains (1922) . Ryland Pool (1925) . Rose Garden Reflecting Pool (1929) . Alum Rock Park (1936) . USO Building (1940) . Camp Costanoan for the Disabled (1954) . Happy Hollow Park and Zoo (1958) . Peralta Adobe Restoration (1960s) . O’Brien’s Candy Store (1975) . Center for Performing Arts’ Bear (1978) . Children’s Discovery Museum (1986) . Gordon House Restoration (1990) . Morone Senior Center (1992) . The Tech Museum (1996) . Rotary Summit Center (2003) . Rotary Heritage Plaza (2008)

Welcome to the
Gordon House
Home of the Rotary Club of San Jose
Hanford Lennox Gordon was born in 1846 and over his lifetime held a variety of positions as attorney, and officer for the Union Army during the Civil War, a farmer, and a rancher.

Hanford and his wife, Mary, moved to San José from Minnesota in 1887. Upon arrival, the Gordons moved into this house, originally located at 5303 McKee Road. Hanford owned four ranches, including over 100 acres of olive grove on McKee Road, also known as Pala del Rancho.

Shortly after the move West, the Gordons divorced. Hanford remained embroiled in legal issues including a paternity suit involving a home domestic and at least one dispute which resulted in gunfire. In the late 1890s Hanford moved to Los Angeles, eventually re-married and later died in 1920. Mary Gordon remained in the home until her death in 1929.

The house was built in the 1870s. Thanks to the Rotary Club of San Jose, the house moved to History Park in the late 1980s and was restored. Care was taken to restore the veranda in the same manner as the original and the fireplace is made from the original brick. The windows are also original to the house. The Gordon House was dedicated June 6, 1990.

During the past 100 years, Members of

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

the Rotary Club of San Jose have volunteered over 3 million hours for community and international service and given over $5 million in grants to 150 community organizations in San Jose.

In addition to sending hundreds of wheelchairs, ambulances, mammogram machines, and medical equipment around the world for international projects, San Jose Rotary has provided over 40 Gifts of Life heart operations here in San Jose for adults from developing countries. Partnering with surgeons who repair cleft palates, Rotary has also sponsored several international Rotaplast missions.

Since 1985, members have generously supported Rotary International’s commitment to eradicate polio around the world. Working with the United Nations, Rotary has helped prevent over 30 million cases of polio worldwide.

In San Jose Rotary has built or made major contributions to
San Jose’s First Street Signs (1915) • Downtown Drinking Fountains (1922) • Ryland Pool (1925) • Rose Garden Reflecting Pool (1929) • Alum Rock Park (1936) • USO Building (1940) • Camp Costanoan for the Disabled (1954) • Happy Hollow Park and Zoo (1958) • Peralta Adobe Restoration (1960s) • O’Brien’s Candy Store (1975) • Center for Performing Arts’ Bear (1978) • Children’s Discovery Museum (1986) • Gordon House Restoration (1990) • Morone Senior Center (1992) • The Tech Museum (1996) • Rotary

Gordon House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 25, 2012

2. Gordon House and Marker

Summit Center (2003) • Rotary Heritage Plaza (2008)

Erected by Rotary Club of San Jose.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Rotary International series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1751.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 19.262′ N, 121° 51.532′ W. Marker was in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It was in South San Jose. Marker could be reached from Phelan Avenue near Senter Road. This marker is located in History Park, a portion of Kelley Park. Open daily 9-4. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 635 Phelan Ave, San Jose CA 95112, United States of America.

We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. A different marker also named The Gordon House (here, next to this marker); Coyote Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Stevens Ranch Fruit Barn (within shouting distance of this

Gordon House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, January 25, 2012

3. Gordon House

marker); The Chiechi House (within shouting distance of this marker); Empire Firehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Andrew P. Hill House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sakauye Migrant Farm Worker Housing (within shouting distance of this marker); The Zanker House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The Gordon House

Additional commentary.
1. Incorrect Year of Birth on Marker
Hanford Lennox Gordon was my great-great grandfather. Thanks for the wonderful marker. His house looks beautifl and I hope to see it myself someday.

Just wanted to let you know he was born in 1836, not 1846. I'm also unaware of a third wife after he moved to Los Angeles, but you never know! I'll see if I can find out more about that.

Mary Louise (Carpenter) Gordon was his second wife. His first wife passed away at a young age, something he never got over. Thanks for all your hard work.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer

4. Map of History Park
Click image to enlarge.
— Submitted August 21, 2012, by Elyse Lucile Pintar of La Crescenta, California.

2. Marker Replaced
The marker has been replaced with an updated marker. The text regarding the house is the same. The text regarding the Rotary Club of San Jose is different.

— Submitted June 28, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 795 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 2, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.