by Mary Pope-Handy | Apr 8, 2019 | Uncategorized
Maps can be so intriguing, and they can be a dangerous rabbit hole into which my time somehow disappears if I’m not careful. Today I was viewing a topographical map of Los Gatos when I stumbled upon a place in the Santa Cruz Mountains near Los Gatos (aka the Los Gatos Mountains) with the curious name of Hooker Gulch. That same site is an interactive map with many place names that I never heard of in the coastal range, all of them begging for research. (Click at your own risk.)
Here are a few of odd and fascinating place names in the hills:
- Hooker Gulch (also Hooker Gulch Creek, which feeds into the Los Gatos Creek)
- Nibbs Knob
- Rattlesnake Gulch
- Buzzard Lagoon
- Beehive
- Priest Rock
- Bull Run
- Badger Spring
- And many other “gulch” names: Moody Gulch, Austrian Gulch, Jacques Gulch, etc.
Where is Hooker Gulch?
The steep valley is located near the end of Aldercroft Heights Road (public section of the road), close to Aldercroft Heights, Lexington Hills, and Holy City in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is just south of Old Gold Mine Road. (more…)
by Mary Pope-Handy | Jul 27, 2016 | Los Gatos History
Here’s a fun bit of Los Gatos real estate history – pricing from yesteryear! The newspaper ad for Los Gatos homes for sale is enticing. One of them reads:
Fillmer Ave.
Rustic type of 5 rms.,
2 Brs., tub and shower bath,
fireplace, H.W. floors, 2 car
garage, lot 60 x 140.
Immediate poss.
Asking $15,000
Or check out the house on Englewood:
Englewood Ave.
1 story, rambling type, 6
rms., 3 brs., H.W. floors,
fireplace, tiled baths, 2-car
attached garage, choice
location. Terms.
Price $13,500
Another one features a house on Almendra for $12 ,750 with “floor furn”, which appears to be “floor furnace” (from the “Must Sell” ad, which spelled it out). Makes me wonder what the alternative to floor furnace would be! Or a house on Massol, also a rustic type for $15,000. I love the description of the “Must Sell” home as “sturdily built” and, surprisingly, “complete, with all new furniture” – $12,700 and just $4,000 down.
Can you guess the year of this Los Gatos real estate advertisement?
Have a look at this and try to guess the year:
Los Gatos real estate ad date not shown
What year do you think this ad for Los Gatos homes for sale ran? The newspaper was called the Mail News and Star, by the way.
Keep reading to see the year…
(more…)
by Mary Pope-Handy | Jul 8, 2016 | LG Lifestyle, Los Gatos History, Visiting Los Gatos
Michael Kane as Mountain Charlie in the 2007 Historic Walking Tour in Los Gatos
Locals may remember that a few years back, there was a wonderful “Los Gatos History Walk” put on every year or so. Town residents would don garments from a bygone era and take on the persona of legendary Los Gatos figures for a few hours. Both fun and educational, it provided a sense of the town’s past – both the buildings and the people’s. It was absolutely wonderful while we had it.
Discover LOST Gatos: Self-Guided Walking Tour
Today, there’s an app for that! It’s called Discover LOST Gatos and as of this writing, there are 3 different self-guided tours:
- The Heart of Los Gatos (approximately a 35 minute walking tour with 12 stops)
- Los Gatos: The Gem City (a 45 minute walk with 12 stops
- The Cradle of Los Gatos (50 minute stroll with 13 stops)
The app has been released for Android and iPhone, so you can find it online wherever you get your phone’s apps – just search for “discover LOST Gatos”. It is also available in web format online at losgatos.stqry.app/ no download necessary.
The Mercury News did a nice article on this and will fill in the details on who’s behind this wonderful idea.
http://www.mercurynews.com/los-gatos/ci_30098778/los-gatos-discover-lost-gatos
As for me, I just downloaded it to my phone and look forward to getting to know our beautiful town a little more!
by Clair Handy | Feb 25, 2016 | Fire, Los Gatos History, Los Gatos Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, Wineries, Safety
Los Gatos Fire Department History
Fire was a major danger in Los Gatos in the 1800s. Buildings were made of wood, including sidewalks (think boardwalk), and most appliances – light, heat, cooking – still used an open flame. Fire was a greater, more present danger than local wildlife (cougars and grizzlies). In its early years, the town relied on bucket brigades, finally graduating to two volunteer Hose Companies and a Hook and Ladder Company in around 1886. The Cold Spring Water Company of Los Gatos filed to incorporate in December 1890 with the stated purpose to “introduce water for domestic and fire purposes into the town of Los Gatos.”. In 1888 the town passed an ordinance to provide for the organization of a dedicated Fire Department, and perhaps just in time. A major cartridge fire in July of 1891 leveled many of the town’s businesses, and saw the shift of the business district from the east bank to the west bank of the Los Gatos Creek – and it has remained so to this day.
While many major fires destroyed homes, stores, hotels, and even an opera house, the worst is often said to be the 1901 fire.
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by Mary Pope-Handy | Feb 4, 2016 | Los Gatos History, Los Gatos Real Estate
Found this in my “Los Gatos History” file and thought my readers would enjoy seeing it. I’m sorry that I don’t recall who it was who so kindly put it into my hands.
This ad is proof of the wisdom in the adage “buy and hold!”
