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

“Cowboy Jim” Donovan

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 16, 2012

1. “Cowboy Jim” Donovan Marker

Inscription. Born in San Francisco, James Donovan came to Santa Clara following the 1906 earthquake at the age of nine and resided in this house the rest of his life. Orphaned young, he started hauling baggage from the railroad depot using a few dogs pulling a cart. Later, as a young man he earned enough money to buy a horse and progressed to weed plowing for the town and watering the trees lining the unpaved streets. Less than 5 ft. tall, he got the nickname “Cowboy Jim” from working as a cowhand on valley ranches. For decades, Jim was a familiar figure around Santa Clara dressed in cowboy attire, marching in all the town parades using his horse and wagon or goat cart to give children rides around the neighborhood.

Calling the city council meetings “the best entertainment in town,” Cowboy Jim faithfully attended them for over 36 years. In September 1967, on his 70th birthday, the council declared “Cowboy Jim Donovan Day” in ceremonies held at a council meeting.

Erected by Santa Clara Historical and Landmark Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:

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Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1967.

Location. 37° 20.873′ N, 121° 57.223′ W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. It is on Benton Street east of Pierce Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1751 Benton Street, Santa Clara CA 95050, 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: Carmelite Monastery – Bond Ranch (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); John Fatjo House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Morgan House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kiely House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mission Santa Clara Veterans Memorial

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, February 16, 2012

2. “Cowboy Jim” Donovan Marker

(approx. 0.3 miles away); The Battle of Santa Clara (approx. 0.3 miles away); Armistice Oak Tree Site (approx. 0.3 miles away); Santa Clara Campaign Treaty Site (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clara.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,583 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on February 28, 2012. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 24, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.