Site of California’s First State Capitol!

Site of California's First State Capitol
Landmark #461 Santa Clara County Visited: August 28, 2016 Plaque?  YES! 🙂
What is it? A plaque in San Jose’s City Park Plaza!
What makes it historical? THE GUIDE SAYS: Directly opposite this tablet was located the first State Capitol Building, in which California’s first Legislature assembled in December 1849. San Jose was the seat of government from 1849 to 1851.

OTHER TIDBITS: This was the first, hasty stop on the Capitol on Wheels tour that ultimately landed the state capitol in Sacramento! After the Constitutional Convention at Colton Hall in 1849, two men galloped into Monterey to offer up San Jose’s Washington Square as site of the new capitol! The legislature moved there but quickly became disenchanted with the poor lighting and ventilation of the building set up there. It didn’t take much for them to snatch up General Vallejo’s offer for a better spot in the city he founded!

How can I Help the Helpers? HERE’S HOW:

  • Become a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West!
  • Donate to History San José!
  • Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
Where is this place? LISTED DIRECTIONS:
City Park Plaza
100 block S Market St
San Jose, CA 95113

ANNOTATIONS:
It’s on the east side of the park!

From Los Angeles: ~340mi (548km) — 5.7hrs
From Sacramento: ~120mi (194km) — 2hrs
From San Diego: ~460mi (741km) — 7.7hrs
From San Francisco: ~49mi (79km) — 0.9hrs

When should I go? Whenever the mood strikes you!

Click here to see more California historical landmarks!

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