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Looking Back: Those Old Buildings with Corner Entrances

by Ralph PearceAttention: This post is over 3 years old and the information may be out of date.December 26, 2018

We seldom mention them or even really notice them much, but I've always liked those old buildings with angled entrances on the very corner of the building. They're usually corner grocery stores or former corner grocery stores, and I suppose the intention was for ease of access. I didn't realize how many there were around San Jose until I started looking for them to photograph. Maybe you'll recognize some of the examples below:

Here's a beautiful old corner entrance store on Thirteenth and Jackson Streets, and another on Eleventh and Empire Streets. — Image: Here's a beautiful old corner entrance store on Thirteenth and Jackson Streets, and another on Eleventh and Empire Streets. Photos ©Ralph M. Pearce

The photo on the left is The Dancing Cat at 702 E. Julian Street, and at right is Guru's Market at 300 N. Thirteenth Street. — Image: The photo on the left is The Dancing Cat at 702 E. Julian Street, and at right is Guru's Market at 300 N. Thirteenth Street. Photos ©Ralph M. Pearce

The fine 19th century building on the left was a grocery store located on St. James Street., while the building on the right currently houses the Park and Hester Market at 1451 Park Avenue. — Image: The fine 19th century building on the left was a grocery store located on St. James Street., while the building on the right currently houses the Park and Hester Market at 1451 Park Avenue. Photos ©Ralph M. Pearce

Paul's Market at 412 E. Empire Street features a nice corner entrance with steps, and Cardena's Market (now closed) at 1602 E. San Antonio Street features a corner entrance despite not being located on a corner. — Image: Paul's Market at 412 E. Empire Street features a nice corner entrance with steps, and Cardena's Market (now closed) at 1602 E. San Antonio Street features a corner entrance despite not being located on a corner. Photos ©Ralph M. Pearce

This home on North Seventh Street was a grocery store with an attached dwelling in the 1930s, and in the 1940s and 1950s it served as a cleaners. This residence on East Julian once had a beauty parlor on the corner. — Image: This home on North Seventh Street was a grocery store with an attached dwelling in the 1930s, and in the 1940s and 1950s it served as a cleaners. This residence on East Julian once had a beauty parlor on the corner. Photos ©Ralph M. Pearce

Further Reading in the California Room

California Room Index: Markets, Market
California Room Index: Grocery
Shopping Center Studies
San Jose City Directories

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