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.
“Cowboy Jim” Donovan. . 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.
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: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1967.
Location. 37° 20.873′ N, 121° 57.223′
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W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker 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.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, February 16, 2012
2. “Cowboy Jim” Donovan Marker
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 1,105 times since then and 37 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.
