Historical Markers and War Memorials in Morgan Hill, California
San Jose is the county seat for Santa Clara County
Morgan Hill is in Santa Clara County
Santa Clara County(616) ► ADJACENT TO SANTA CLARA COUNTY Alameda County(674) ► Merced County(38) ► San Benito County(55) ► San Mateo County(191) ► Santa Cruz County(257) ► Stanislaus County(120) ►
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[The Morgan Hill Centennial Project is a very unusual ‘marker’. It was created to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Morgan Hill. One starts at the center of the marker and then proceeds along an expanding spiral . . . — — Map (db m46097) HM
Department of Civil Defense establishes an aircraft lookout station on Nob Hill for duration of World War II. Station Identifier was “26GRACE3” — — Map (db m213575) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m54034) HM
Imagine eight months on a long distance road trip with five children and a van.
Now imagine doing it without modern convenience. No rest stops, no cars, no roads, no wheels of any kind. Juan Bautista de Anza led 30 families with over 240 . . . — — Map (db m100369) HM
First bank (a branch of Bank of Italy) established by A.P. Giannini in new Votaw Building at NE corner of 2nt St. and Monterey Rd. — — Map (db m213424) HM
Retired Morgan Hill teacher Belle McCormick celebrated her 100th birthday on May 2, 2006. She brought the bell with her from Montana when she moved to Morgan Hill with her husband and daughters. It held a place of honor in front of her home from . . . — — Map (db m213055) HM
A 1912 photo of the original Burnett School in Madrone that was established in 1855 as the first public school between San Jose and Gilroy — — Map (db m213105) HM
Born in Wexford, Ireland, immigrated to Canada and in 1851 married Bernard Murphy in Quebec. Following his father, Martin Murphy Sr., the couple moved to California. She was widowed when there was a boiler explosion on the steamboat “Jenny Lind” . . . — — Map (db m213067) HM
Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza and party crossed this area in March 1776, en route to select sites for the presidio and the mission of San Francisco — — Map (db m212705) HM
Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza and party crossed this area in March 1778, in route to select sites for the Presidio and the Mission of San Francisco.
In the center of the marker is a circular motif, designed by Doris Birkland Beezley, of . . . — — Map (db m46135) HM
Evacuation and Interment of Morgan Hill Japanese-Americans, many later joined 442nd US Army Regimental Combat Team and fight in Europe, earning unprecedented decorations — — Map (db m213576) HM
Italian immigrants came to Morgan Hill in the years of the great Mediterranean migration to the United States between 1880-1930. Their commitment to family, strong work ethic and passion to succeed laid the cultural foundation for a strong agrarian . . . — — Map (db m213167) HM
Built in 1908 by John Page. Mrs Alberta Page operated it as a boarding house for working men. The “one dollar a day” rate” included three meals, one of which was a bag lunch. The always full boarding house was famous and very . . . — — Map (db m68911) HM
This school site was donated by Bernard S. Machado on June 5, 1895 for the children of Paradise Valley. Charles Smith completed construction of a one-room school and classes began in the fall of 1895. A second room was added in 1910 to accommodate . . . — — Map (db m212710) HM
Founded in 1858, Madrone is the oldest and most historic neighborhood of present day Morgan Hill. On this site was the original Butterfield Stage stop, hotel, livery and blacksmith shop. Eventually, with the coming of the railroad, Madrone became . . . — — Map (db m213034) HM
Marker One:
Morgan Hill Historical Museum established at Civic Center in relocated 1911 Acton House
Marker Two:
2005
Morgan Hill Museum (former 1911 Acton Home) relocated to the Villa Mira Monte site on Monterey Rd. — — Map (db m213037) HM
Morgan Hill-Burnett, San Martin, Machado, Encinal Elementary and Live Oak Union High School districts merge to form Morgan Hill Unified School District — — Map (db m213684) HM
In 1893, seven pioneers who had just arrive in the new township of Morgan Hill built the Methodist Episcopal Church sanctuary on this land, which was donated by the Phillips Land Company. The church constructed with lumber hauled by wagon from San . . . — — Map (db m46151) HM
Oak trees provide wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, healthy watersheds, recreational opportunities and a link to Morgan Hill’s local historical heritage. Murphy’s Majestic Oak is a representation of the beautiful oak trees found throughout the City . . . — — Map (db m212711) HM
The First Mushroom Mardi Gras festival
Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras
October 18th & 19th
10:00 TO 5:00
Hill Country
15060 Foothill Road, Morgan Hill
Feature Agricultural Products Of The Area
Mushrooms . . . — — Map (db m213733) HM
This photo taken from Nob Hill, shows the emerging township of Burnett, and documents the early development of the downtown section of what we now call Morgan Hill. Already gone are manu of the native oak trees, harvested as fire wood for San Jose. . . . — — Map (db m212847) HM
Oak woodlands have become California’s signature landscape due to their widespread distribution and unique appearances. These woodlands provide critical wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, healthy watersheds, recreational opportunities, and a link to . . . — — Map (db m212712) HM
Background
What is a Granary?
A granary is a storage facility for grains. Granaries have been built since ancient times, with the oldest granaries dating back to 9500BC! Originally, they were carved into the ground or rock, or made of clay. . . . — — Map (db m212851) HM
Marker One:
Rancho Ojo de Agua de la Coche granted to Juan Maria Hernandez
Marker Two:
1845
Rancho Ojo de Agua de la Coche conveyed to Murphy family — — Map (db m213068) HM
This famous tavern and stage stop was located 21 miles from San Jose on the road to Monterey. The 21-Mile House was built in 1852 by William Host beneath a spreading oak that later was called the Vasquez Tree. The house was sold to William Tennant . . . — — Map (db m156621) HM
On this site stood the Skeels Hotel, which was owned and operated by Harry and Cynthia Skeels as a hotel and restaurant from 1925 to 1948.
The original building was altered in 1938 to accommodate the widening of Monterey Highway by 30 feet. . . . — — Map (db m46150) HM
Skeels Hotel built on the NW corner of 3rd St. and Monterey Rd.; Lloyd Skeels becomes constable and later fire chief of Morgan Hill and Madrone — — Map (db m213568) HM
Background
What is a Granary?
A granary is a storage facility for grains. Granaries have been built from ancient times, with the oldest granaries dating back to 9500BC! Originally, they were carved into the ground or rock, or made of . . . — — Map (db m46725) HM
The town of Coyote was established on a popular route known as El Camino Real by the Mexicans who traveled it. This route linked the missions throughout California. Originally named Burnett, Coyote developed around a post office that was housed in a . . . — — Map (db m207448) HM
Marker One:
Section of US 101 Freeway opens, bypassing downtown
Marker Two:
1985
101 Freeway section north of Morgan Hill opens, eliminating “Blood Alley” on old Monterey Highway — — Map (db m213729) HM
In honor of all the men and women who fought, gave their lives and remain missing in defense of The United States of American and the ideals for which it stands.
May we never forget that freedom id not free.
World War I
1917-1918
Harry . . . — — Map (db m212849) WM
Home of Morgan Hill and Diana Murphy Hill. Built in 1884 of redwood lumber from the Santa Cruz Mtns. The Hill family lived here from 1884 – 1910. The City of Morgan Hill was named after Mr. Hill. — — Map (db m213035) HM
Built in 1906 by Frank L. Merrill. The building is a revival of the Italian Renaissance style which spread over Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. The building was the original Morgan Hill Bank. The building is known as the Votaw Building named . . . — — Map (db m46160) HM
This bronze sculpture depicts one of Morgan Hill’s early founding families, Hiram Morgan Hill, his wife Diana and their daughter Diane. In 1898, when the first Southern Pacific station was built, many visitors would request the train stop at . . . — — Map (db m46161) HM
