Fact Brief: Did San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood used to be its own town?

Yes.

Willow Glen was its own independent town for a brief period of time before becoming part of San Jose in 1936.

The suburban neighborhood, located adjacent to downtown, originated as an unincorporated community in the mid-1800s. In the 1920s, Willow Glen residents voted to become a city to prevent the Southern Pacific Railroad from placing railroad tracks through the middle of the community. Just nine years later, Willow Glen voted to be annexed into San Jose to connect to its sewage system.

Today, Willow Glen is known for its quaint tree-lined streets, dining, shopping and historic homes.

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Sources

• Willow Glen Business Association The History of the Willow Glen Neighborhood
• City of Willow Glen Records, California Room, San José Public Library Guide to the Annexation of Willow Glen Records,1927-1936