Conceived on November 29, 1777 and located within the Santa Clara Valley, this incredibly ethnically diverse city was known first as El Pueblo de San Jos? de Guadalupe. San Jos? was the first city recognized in Nueva California, a Spanish colony which later became Alta California. Before European settlers and Spanish soldiers came to occupy the area, it was the ancestral home of tribes of the Ohlone people. Franciscan missionaries with orders from Spain established a strong Christian presence in 1769. Until then, the Ohlone people did not consider themselves to be one tribe. There were actually over 50 separate and unique nations with diverse religious and cultural beliefs and practices. What remain of the nearly vanished Ohlone people today are also known as the Costanoan and as the Muwekma Native American tribes.



San Jos? in the early 1800's was a thriving farming community that provided food and shelter for the Mexican troops fighting against the rule of Spain during the war in 1825. In 1846, San Jos? surrendered to the United States in order to avoid the destruction of the town and its people during the Mexican-American War. The city of San Jos? became the capital of the newly acquired state of California in 1850. During the civil war, there were a great many changes that took place in and around the vicinity of San Jos?. And the discovery of gold in California would forever change the city as well. In San Jos? however, it was the coalmines and consequently the silver discovered in them that would bring fortune and fame to some men while bringing others to the brink of destitution and beyond. Through the centuries, San Jos? has survived against tremendous hardships such as war, drought, earthquakes, and other disasters caused by man and nature.

In the city today, community residents and tourists are quick to defend San Jos? against those who have negative thoughts or opinions toward what they consider to be the best city California has to offer. And San Jos? does have a great deal to offer. Whether visitors might be seeking to experience the history, the architecture, the art and culture, or even excitement and entertainments of the modern day, any one of these pleasures or many others can be found in San Jos?.

The historical sites of San Jos? are one of the biggest magnets that draw visitors to the city. One such place is the Winchester Mystery House, which also falls into other tourist categories such as Architecture, and Botanical Garden. The home was built in 1884 by Winchester Rifle Company heiress Sarah Pardee Winchester. As the story is told, poor Sarah suffered from severe superstitions and after the originally intended 8 rooms were complete she would continuously change the plans. She was convinced that evil spirits would harm her if she ever stopped building and adding on to the house. Throughout the house, there are tricks and traps that were supposed to protect Sarah from all the spirits of people killed by Winchester rifles.

To learn more about the Winchester Mystery House and other attractions that only San Jos? can offer, consider a visit to the city.