Downtown San Jose in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

First State Capitol Building

August 19, 2020

1. First State Capitol Building Marker

Inscription. 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.

Erected 1923 by Historic Landmarks Commission, Native Son's of the Golden West. (Marker Number 461.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Landmarks • Notable Buildings • Notable Events • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1849.

Location. 37° 19.963′ N, 121° 53.376′ W. Marker is in San Jose, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown San Jose. Marker is on South Market Street near Paseo de San Antonio Walk, on the left when traveling north. Plaque is located eastern lawn area of Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park, across from the main entrance of the Fairmont Hotel, Northbound Market St. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Paseo de San Antonio Walk, San Jose CA 95113, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First State Capitol (within shouting distance of this marker); The Freedom Tree (within shouting distance of

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker); The Burning of San Jose Chinatown (within shouting distance of this marker); Chinatown (within shouting distance of this marker); Plaza de Cesar E. Chavez (within shouting distance of this marker); United States Post Office (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Centennial Commemoration of the World's First Broadcasting Station (about 400 feet away); World’s First Broadcasting Station (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Jose.

Additional keywords. California State Capitols

State Historic Landmark #461 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mathew H. Kohnen, November 4, 2007

2. State Historic Landmark #461

The site of the first capitol, now gone, is now occupied by Plaza de Cesar Chavez Park.

First State Capitol Building Marker Dedication image. Click for full size.

May 19, 1923

3. First State Capitol Building Marker Dedication

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 4,431 times since then and 149 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 20, 2020. 2. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 3. submitted on June 26, 2021, by James King of San Miguel, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.