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

Farmers Union Building

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 6, 2012

1. Farmers Union Building Marker

Inscription. The Farmers Union Corporation, established in this building in 1874, was once indispensible to San Jose’s farming community. It served as an agricultural cooperative and bank and throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries was the chief general merchandiser to rural Santa Clara County. The hardware store weathered the Depression by expanding it scope, selling "everything for the home, garden and farm." In 1961, with the waning of agriculture in the valley, Farmers Union President John P. McEnery made the decision to develop the corporation holdings as the new San Pedro Square.

Erected by San Jose History Walk. (Marker Number 9.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1874.

Location. 37° 20.109′ N, 121° 53.591′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown San Jose. It is at the intersection of West Santa Clara Street and San Pedro Square on West Santa Clara Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 151 West Santa Clara Street, San Jose CA 95113,

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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: Electric Light Tower (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); College of Notre Dame (about 500 feet away); Juzgado (about 500 feet away); Birthplace of A.P. Giannini (about 500 feet away); Hotel De Anza (about 500 feet away); Luis María Peralta Adobe (about 600 feet away); The Palomar Ballroom (about 600 feet away); San Jose Mercury News (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 6, 2012

2. Farmers Union Building Marker

The 100 block of West Santa Clara Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 6, 2012

3. The 100 block of West Santa Clara Street

The Farmers Union Building is at the far right.

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

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 1,510 times since then and 65 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.