San Jose, circa 1900

We sometimes eat at a local restaurant where the proprietors have displayed various photos and collectibles from the 'olden days' around San Jose. This photo (apologies for the reflection) shows the main plaza or park, which is now called Cesar Chavez Park. The park was adjacent to the main post office (the stone building with the single tower), and that building, relatively intact 121 years later, is now the city's Art Museum. The building behind it, the domed church, is now the basilica of St Joseph, the seat of the local Catholic archdiocese. A view from a nearby tall building would show much the same arrangement of park and buildings, with hotels, a theater and another museum around the park.