Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Anderson Lake County Park
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, March 30, 2012
1. Anderson Lake County Park Marker
Inscription.
Anderson Lake County Park. . Long before nearby Coyote Creek was dammed to form the reservoir in 1950, people were drawn to its cool shade and clear flowing water. In 2006 an ancient burial site was unearthed during construction of homes across the street from this park. First recorded as the Ojo de Aqua de la Coche Spanish land grant, the land was purchased by John Cochrane in 1869. Cattle and crops followed as the local population grew. After his widow Aphelia Farmington Cochrane died in 1949, the Santa Clara Valley Water District purchased land along the creek. The Cochrane's granddaughter, Gladys Jackson, lived on the ranch until her death in 1984. Her will deeded the land to the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County, who later passed the land to the County., One summer, Sunday School teacher Isola Kennedy escorted five boys in her class to Island Dell, part of the creek now submerged under the lake. The boys were splashing in the water when a mountain lion suddenly attacked two of the children. Without hesitating, the teacher picked up a stick and rushed to help. The lion turned, pinning Isola to the ground. The young boys found a surveyor, Jack Conlan, who ran to her assistance as she was defending herself with a stick and a long hat pin. He fired his shotgun and clubbed the cat on the head, but was unable to stop the vicious attack. He ran back to his camp and returned with a rifle. Shot twice, the beast once again sank its teeth and claws into Isola before it died. Physicians believed that Isola would recover from her near-fatal injuries, but the cat had rabies. That entire summer brave heroine Isola Kennedy suffered. She died on September 10, 1909 and was buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Morgan Hill., The park includes the Coyote Creek Parkway, where multi-use trails offer year-round bicycle, hiking and equestrian access. Winding past the ruins of an old stone winery, a popular golf course and small lakes, the trail follows the creek North West into San Jose and offers an unspoiled view of natural diversity for all visitors. . This historical marker was erected in 2008 by Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Comm., Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation and E Clampus Vitus, Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850. It is in Morgan Hill in Santa Clara County California
Long before nearby Coyote Creek was dammed to form the reservoir in 1950, people were drawn to its cool shade and clear flowing water. In 2006 an ancient burial site
was unearthed during construction of homes across the street from this park. First recorded as the Ojo de Aqua de la Coche Spanish land grant, the land was
purchased by John Cochrane in 1869. Cattle and crops followed as the local population grew. After his widow Aphelia Farmington Cochrane died in 1949, the Santa Clara Valley Water District purchased land along the creek. The Cochrane's granddaughter, Gladys Jackson, lived on the ranch until her death in 1984. Her will
deeded the land to the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County, who later passed the land to the County.
One summer, Sunday School teacher Isola Kennedy escorted five boys in her class to Island Dell, part of the creek now submerged under the lake. The boys were splashing in the water when a mountain lion suddenly attacked two of the children. Without hesitating, the teacher picked up a stick and rushed to help. The lion turned, pinning Isola to the ground. The young boys found a surveyor, Jack Conlan,
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who ran to her assistance as she was defending herself with a stick and a long hat pin. He fired his shotgun and clubbed the cat on the head, but was unable
to stop the vicious attack. He ran back to his camp and returned with a rifle. Shot twice, the beast once again sank its teeth and claws into Isola before it died. Physicians believed that Isola would recover from her near-fatal injuries, but the cat had
rabies. That entire summer brave heroine Isola Kennedy suffered. She died on September 10, 1909 and was buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Morgan Hill.
The park includes the Coyote Creek Parkway, where multi-use trails offer year-round bicycle, hiking and equestrian access. Winding past the ruins of an old stone winery, a popular golf course and small lakes, the trail follows the creek North West into San Jose and offers an unspoiled view of natural diversity for all visitors.
Erected 2008 by Santa Clara County Historical Heritage Comm., Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation and E Clampus Vitus, Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850.
37° 9.899′ N, 121° 38.279′ W. Marker is in Morgan Hill, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Cochrane Road and San Rafael Street, on the right when traveling west. This marker is located at the parking area of the Live Oak Picnic Area in Anderson Lake County Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2299 Cochrane Road, Morgan Hill CA 95037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Isola V. Kennedy - Find A Grave. One hot Monday afternoon, on July 6th, 1909, Isola Kennedy took five young boys from her Sunday school class for a cool swim at the beach at Coyote Creek. (Submitted on April 1, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 1, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 735 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 1, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
Long before nearby Coyote Creek was dammed to form the reservoir in 1950, people were drawn to its cool shade and clear flowing water. In 2006 an ancient burial site
was unearthed during construction of homes across the street from this park. First recorded as the Ojo de Aqua de la Coche Spanish land grant, the land was
purchased by John Cochrane in 1869. Cattle and crops followed as the local population grew. After his widow Aphelia Farmington Cochrane died in 1949, the Santa Clara Valley Water District purchased land along the creek. The Cochrane's granddaughter, Gladys Jackson, lived on the ranch until her death in 1984. Her will
deeded the land to the California Pioneers of Santa Clara County, who later passed the land to the County.
