San Jose, California

Fun things to do in San Jose:
See a local sports team, like the San Jose Sharks (Hockey), or the San Jose Earthquakes (Soccer). Spend an exciting day at Paramount's Great America Expect chills and oddities at the Winchester Mystery House Splash around at Raging Waters Visit the past at History Park Experience the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium

The People of San Jose

Demographics:

The population of San Jose is estimated at 1,006,892
There are 287,834 households within the city limits
The average income per household is $76,963
People who live in San Jose use the area code 408 (Find a phone number in San Jose here)

Many famous people have lived in San Jose, including:
Kurtwood Smith, Tom & Dick Smothers, Lindsey Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Nikki Sixx, Peggy Fleming, Steve Caballero, Dick Vermeil, Cesar Chavez, Dian Fossey, Steve Wozniak

Historical Notes:
In an attempt to find a replacement for the gas burning streetlights once used in San Jose, a man named J.J. Owen pushed for the construction of an Electric Light Tower. Unfortunately the finished tower did not provide enough power and it was never used as expected. The tower was destroyed during a storm in 1915.

More U.S. patents have been granted in San Jose than in any other American city.

An old law in San Jose once made it illegal for people to own more than two cats or dogs at a time.

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About San Jose
Prior to the 1770's, the section of California now known as San Jose was only inhabited by Native Americans. Juan Bautista de Anza, an explorer from Spain, was the first to choose San Jose as a location for a Mission, though he was not around when it was finally built. In 1977 the area was officially established as a farming community called Pueblo de San Jose, and the mission itself was founded in 1797. San Jose was established by Spain, turned over to Mexico and finally became a part of the United States following the Mexican-American war. In the late 1840's a large amount of Mercury was found in the area, which led to a major boost in population. By 1850 San Jose had received the distinction of becoming the first U.S. incorporated city in California as well as the original state capital. The first and second California State Legislatures met in San Jose, but chose to switch locations because there was no suitable building for the group at that time. Since its inception, San Jose had relied on an agricultural based economy, but during World War II the city industrialized and new businesses emerged that focused on building vehicles and equipment for the military. After the war, the people of San Jose continued to produce large machinery and contribute technologically advanced inventions. In the 1950's the city experienced a tremendous growth spurt which expanded the local work force and earned the city even more recognition for the state-of-the-art breakthroughs its residents were devising. In recent years San Jose has been a visionary center of technology and the .com industry. The population continues to grow steadily as more and more people choose to make their way to the city known as the Capital of the Silicon Valley.

About San Jose

Prior to the 1770's, the section of California now known as San Jose was only inhabited by Native Americans. Juan Bautista de Anza, an explorer from Spain, was the first to choose San Jose as a location for a Mission, though he was not around when it was finally built. In 1977 the area was officially established as a farming community called Pueblo de San Jose, and the mission itself was founded in 1797.

San Jose was established by Spain, turned over to Mexico and finally became a part of the United States following the Mexican-American war. In the late 1840's a large amount of Mercury was found in the area, which led to a major boost in population. By 1850 San Jose had received the distinction of becoming the first U.S. incorporated city in California as well as the original state capital. The first and second California State Legislatures met in San Jose, but chose to switch locations because there was no suitable building for the group at that time.

Since its inception, San Jose had relied on an agricultural based economy, but during World War II the city industrialized and new businesses emerged that focused on building vehicles and equipment for the military. After the war, the people of San Jose continued to produce large machinery and contribute technologically advanced inventions. In the 1950's the city experienced a tremendous growth spurt which expanded the local work force and earned the city even more recognition for the state-of-the-art breakthroughs its residents were devising.

In recent years San Jose has been a visionary center of technology and the .com industry. The population continues to grow steadily as more and more people choose to make their way to the city known as the Capital of the Silicon Valley.