Find Historical Photos in the California Room!
Have you ever browsed our California Room digital collection of historic photographs? To the left is an image of from our postcard collection, which shows the Garden City Bank. Using our property research collections, the San Jose Mercury News Online (with SJPL Card), and other resources in our collection, we can unearth San Jose's history.
Bank History
San Jose's first steel-framed building and skyscraper was constructed by the Garden City Bank at the southwest corner of First and San Fernando Streets which had been the site of the pueblo of Don Antonio Maria Pico. Completed in 1907, it was demolished in 1972. Originally known as the Garden City National Bank, the Garden City Bank and Trust Company was founded by Dr. Charles Westley Breyfogle in 1887. Breyfogle, a homeopathic physician and the mayor of San Jose in 1886, became the bank's first president. The bank operated from a suite of rooms in the Wilcox Building, situated at the northwest corner of First and San Fernando Streets. Under the leadership of T.S. Montgomery, the developer of the Montgomery Hotel, the bank thrived and opened branches throughout Santa Clara County. The original building was expanded in 1926 after a merger with Mercantile Trust company in 1922.
Building Construction
A San Jose Mercury and Herald news article dated March 13, 1904, first announced plans for the Garden City Bank skyscraper. According to the newspaper, the new bank building would be situated on a corner of the property known as the Arguello Block. Bank president S.B. Hunkins unveiled the initial plans for a six-story steel and green sandstone structure, projected to cost between $100,000 and $125,000. The first floor, designated for bank operations, was to feature movable partitions, while the upper floors were intended for other businesses. Hunkins promised “rapid elevator service that will be superior to anything in the city” and a building that would be “not only fireproof but also earthquake-proof.” Other amenities included “a compressed and cleaning device pipe [that] will be placed so that a suction sweeper may be used on every floor.” Edward A. Schumacher, from the brief Schumacher and (William) Binder partnership, served as the supervising architect. John Stock and Sons managed the plumbing, while Florent Garadisier supervised the brickwork.
Construction started between April and July 1905, but it wasn’t finished until 1907. The reasons for the slow progress were numerous and included strikes, quicksand at the foundation, and a steel shortage. After the April 1906 earthquake, construction was delayed until July. A Mercury News op-ed in September 1906 expressed frustration over the slow progress of the Garden City Bank building and others in the city, attributing the issue to “certain classes of workmen [who] cannot agree among themselves.”
Building History
When the Garden City Bank and Trust building was completed in October 1907, it stood seven stories tall, obstructing the eastern view of the post office clock tower. It also looked somewhat different from the original plans. With 78 rooms, it became the tallest building between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The bank relocated to its impressive new site in October, and various businesses, including dentists, doctors, and barbers, quickly followed. One of the most notable occupants was Charles “Doc” Herrold, who operated his School of Wireless and KQW radio station. The skyscraper also became the focal point of San Jose’s celebration at the end of WWI, when fireworks were launched from the rooftop. After the 1922 merger, the original interior was remodeled, and a two-story extension was added on the west side. The project cost $275,000 was described as "the largest but also the most modern banking equipment in the country."
A New Era
In 1967, Wells Fargo became the first bank to commit to investing in City Park Financial Plaza, now known as CityView Plaza. The new building was completed in 1970, and the bank moved in July. The picture below shows construction of the new Wells Fargo building on the bottom right with San Jose's first skyscraper in the top left.
Unfortunately, Wells Fargo officials felt the original skyscraper could not be salvaged due to the difficulties of modernizing aspects like electrical systems and elevators. On July 17, 1972, the Garden City Bank building, San Jose’s first skyscraper, was demolished. The Mercury News reported it was the to be replaced with 16 stories, twin tower high rise as part of the San Antonio redevelopment project.
Resources:
Newsbank (available with SJPL card)
Aerial Photographs
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
City Directories
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