I love old maps. This is one of my favorite maps of San Jose before the 1850s. This map shows two major squares; Washington Square and St. James Square. Washington Square would eventually turn into San Jose State University and St. James Square would become St. James Park.
I wish I would have been alive to see St James Park as a complete square. In the 1950s, San Jose would divide St. James Park in half by connecting 2nd Street through it. This division has done a number to the park and has contributed to some of the issues that effect it today.
Hopefully San Jose will listen to many Urban Planners and close up 2nd street so the park can feel whole again. Please read this interesting read from SPUR San Jose. They actually advocate for the city to reconnect St. James Park. I certainly hope it will happen in my lifetime.
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