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

San Jose Mercury News

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 6, 2012

1. San Jose Mercury News Marker

Inscription. The San Jose Mercury News was first published, on this site, on June 20, 1851. Known as the San Jose Weekly Visitor, it was the city’s fist permanent newspaper. The paper changed owners and mastheads several times before becoming the San Jose Weekly Mercury in 1861. In 1901, E.A. and J.O. Hayes bought the paper merging it with the San Jose Herald. Brothers whose vast wealth derived from their Ashland iron mine, they saw the press as a vehicle for political reform. The Hayes family controlled the paper until 1952, when it was purchased by Ridder Publications. In 1974, Knight Newspapers merged with Ridder to form a new company, Knight-Ridder.

Erected by San Jose History Walk. (Marker Number 8.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. A significant historical date for this entry is June 20, 1851.

Location. 37° 20.167′ N, 121° 53.475′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown San Jose. It is on West Santa Clara Street west of North 1st Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 41 West Santa Clara 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: Bank of America Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Electric Light Tower

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(about 400 feet away); Knox-Goodrich Building (about 500 feet away); Juzgado (about 600 feet away); Birthplace of A.P. Giannini (about 600 feet away); Letitia Building (about 600 feet away); Farmers Union Building (about 700 feet away); Trinity Episcopal Church (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 6, 2012

2. San Jose Mercury News Marker

Diagram of the San Jose History Walk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

3. Diagram of the San Jose History Walk

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, January 30, 2012

4. Diagram of the San Jose History Walk

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,608 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 15, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.