San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission Records, 1944-1998

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Summary

Title:
San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission Records
Dates:
1944-1998
Creators:
San Jose (Calif.). Historic Landmarks Commission
Abstract:
Extent:
6.5 linear feet, 9 boxes
Language:
Preferred citation:

San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission Records. History San Jose Research Library

Background

Scope and content:

Early reports document the donations to the City by local citizens; many of these donations became part of the San Jose Historical Museum's collection which is now managed by History San Jose. The early meetings revolved around securing a place to store and display items of historical interest donated to the City and the Commission, as well as the main focus of the committee, which was to identify sites for historic markers. Records document the creation of the temporary Statehouse Museum on Market Street in downtown San Jose, and its move to the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, where it was maintained as a historical museum for the next several decades. In the 1970s, the City began work on a historic inventory and preservation ordinance, and this includes correspondence and agreement with Thomas King in 1973-1974. The remainder of the records from the 1980s and 1990s are meeting minutes and agendas.

Biographical / historical:

Based on recommendations from the Citizens Planning Council to Mayor Ernie Renzel in 1945, the Historic Landmarks Commission was established, and met for the first time on Wednesday, November 21, 1945 in the Children's Room of the San Jose City Library, with the following members present: Charles A. Payne, Clyde Arbuckle, Jay McCabe, Maurice S. Beckley, Mrs. Raymond Mosher, and Professor P. M. Weddell. Absent were Fred Doerr, Dwight Bentel, Dr. E. A. Filipello, and Dr. Marion Lee Reynolds. Charles Payne was appointed President, and Clyde Arbuckle appointed Secretary, a post he continued to hold for many years.

Acquisition information:
As secretary of the Commission, Clyde Arbuckle maintained these records and kept them at the Statehouse Museum, whose collection became part of the San Jose Historical Museum, now History San Jose. The later records were collected by San Jose Historical Museum staff members who attended meetings on behalf of the museum.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by History San Jose Research Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1944-1998
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to the public for research by appointment.

Terms of access:

These records are public domain. Reproduction requests are handled through the Research Library.

Preferred citation:

San Jose Historic Landmarks Commission Records. History San Jose Research Library

Location of this collection:
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112, US
Contact:
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
Website