Electric Light Tower
When completed in 1881, the 237-foot electric light tower that once spanned the intersection of Market and Santa Clara Streets was the largest single source of electric light in the country. The brainchild of J.J. Owen, founder of the San Jose Mercury News, it was designed to illuminate the entire downtown. While the tower received tremendous national and international publicity, local reactions were mixed. The tower remained in operation until it blew over in a storm in 1915.
Marker is at the intersection of South Market Street and West Santa Clara Street, on the right when traveling south on South Market Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
