Lost Bay Area Stories

Somethings never change in a century. Here's an article complaining about San Jose having the worst roads in the state. Source: San Jose Mercury News, 13 March 1908

The Saratoga area of the Santa Cruz mountain was once touted as having the purest most medicinal hot spring water in the area (similar in properties as that of Saratoga Springs, NY). Near the junction of Pierce Road and Azule Road (now Mount Eden Road), Arthur Caldwell originally discovered the soda spring water coming from a sandstone crevice on his ranch in the 1870s. Later the ranch was sold to Luther R. Mills and he bottled the water under the name 'Mills Seltzer Spring

R.B Barrett was quite a celebrity in San Jose during the early 1900's. He was the only one armed chauffer to drive a deliver car in the city back in 1906. He was so adept at driving that bested all the two armed drivers. Barrett lost his left arm during a hunting accident in the Uvas Creek area. He was employed by the Parisian Dyeing and Cleaning Works (owned by "Dick" Moody) to deliver and collect garments from clients all over San Jose. R.B Barrett seems to be driving

Starting in the late 1800's, San Jose became infatuated with cycling and bicycle racing. In 1908, the San Jose Mercury decided to profile some of these early pioneers. This profile "Jim" V. McKiernan, son of the local legend "Mountain Charlie", is one of a series of articles written. JAMES V. McKIERNAN, cycle pioneer, is a son of the late "Mountain Charlie" McKiernan, one of the most picturesque pioneers of California, and perhaps one of the best known in this part of the

Back in 1897, the San Jose Mercury had an article on the damage settlements for getting into a bicycle accident. At first glance, the awards for various body parts seem like a pittance....especially if it means going a lifetime without an eye or crushed foot. Translation into current dollar amounts give a slightly better story but given the litigious nature in the United States, many personal injury award skew towards the high six and into 7 figures. Chart of damages awarde

Starting in the late 1800's, San Jose became infatuated with cycling and bicycle racing. In 1908, the San Jose Mercury decided to profile some of these early pioneers. This profile for Mr George E. Owen and Mrs Geneva Owen is one of a series of articles written. The Owens family once lived on 14 Stockton St. in San Jose. They were married at K. G Maze's house (Geneva's family home) in San Francisco home at 336 Turk street. George Owen is mentioned to have held various pos

As I've mentioned in a previous post, Sodality Park was a forgotten baseball park in downtown San Jose that hosted many legends of early baseball such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb. Over the years, Sodality was improved with better grounds and more seating in the grandstands. Below is an announcement in 1920. Over the years, the ballpark hosted many ballclubs and games, including the Portland Baseball Club. See the below photo, note the Sodality Park reference in the

It's impressive that any souvenirs have survived from exhibition games at Sodality Park where Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played. Leland's auctioned this ball from $15k back in 2017. Two of the baseball's most iconic figures signed this Official American League baseball, which was fouled off during action in Bustin' Babes & Larrupin' Lou's barnstorming game on October 26, 1927, played at Sodality Park in San Jose, CA. Signed after the game by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, this mag

As I've mentioned in other posts, Sodality Park hosted a few legends of baseball such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Ty Cobb. There are a few surviving photos of this lost downtown ballpark and very few people are aware that the old OSH store location had anything to do with baseball. Located between San Carlos St and Auzerais Ave (previously San Salvador Street) and bounded by Royal Ave and Los Gatos Creek, the lot was a short distance walk from downtown San Jose. At the tim