Alum Rock, San Jose

History

Alum Rock was named after a rock formerly thought to be composed of alum in nearby Alum Rock Park.

In the 19th century and early 20th century Alum Rock was mostly fruit orchard land. During the 1940s and 1950s, developers began building housing and formed the community of Alum Rock. During that time, Alum Rock Avenue and a passenger railroad passed through the town on the way to Alum Rock Park.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the neighborhood became older and increasingly populated with Latino immigrants as "white flight" affected the area of East San Jose. Today, Alum Rock remains a distinct community separated from the rest of San Jose.

Geography

Alum Rock is a vast district of East San Jose, made up of numerous smaller neighborhoods. Neighborhoods include Little Portugal, Little Saigon, Mayfair, King & Story, East Foothills, Alum Rock Village, Mount Pleasant, among others.

Alum Rock is located north of the Evergreen district, south of the Berryessa district, and east of Downtown San Jose. Alum Rock is bound by the Diablo Range to the east, Coyote Creek to the west, Mabury Road to the north and Ocala Avenue to the south.

Government

In the San Jose City Council, most of Alum Rock falls inside of District 5, represented by Magdalena Carrasco, though small portions are inside of District 7 and District 4.

Education

The Alum Rock school district operates elementary and middle schools.

Schools in Alum Rock include:

• James Lick High School
• Mt. Pleasant High School
• William C. Overfelt High School
• Joseph George Middle School
• Cassell Elementary School
• César Chávez Elementary School
• Linda Vista Elementary School
• San Antonio Elementary School
• Meyer Elementary School
• Dorsa Elementary School
• Sheppard Middle School
• McCollam Elementary School

Parks and plazas

Parks in the Alum Rock district include:

• Alum Rock Park
• Cimarrón Park
• Delano Manongs Park
• Emma Prusch Farm Park
• Overfelt Gardens (including the Chinese Cultural Garden)
• Mayfair Park
• Plata Arroyo Park
• Zolezzi Park

Transportation

The Alum Rock Transit Center is an important transit center for East San Jose, operated by the Valley Transportation Authority. It is serviced by bus and light rail.

VTA light rail stations along Capitol Expressway within Alum Rock:

• McKee station
• Alum Rock station

Penitencia Creek station is located right at the border of Alum Rock and Berryessa.

The Eastridge Expansion of the VTA light rail plans the construction of another light rail station at Story Road and Capitol Expressway.

Both the Bayshore Freeway (US-101) and the Sinclair Freeway (I-680) pass through Alum Rock.

Gallery

File:Los Delicios in Downtown Alum Rock 0664.jpg|Alum Rock Village File:Alum Rock station of the SJ Fire Department 2.jpg|Station 2 of the San Jose Fire Department File:Downtown Alum Rock 0666 (cropped).jpg|Alum Rock Village File:Alum Rock Transit Center 1881 06 (cropped).JPG|Alum Rock Transit Center

References

References

1. [https://www.sanjoseca.gov/home/showdocument?id=54919 City of San José - Vision for the Alum Rock Corridor]
2. Lechuga, Maricela G.. (February 9, 2021). "Lechuga: San Jose's Alum Rock area needs cultural designation". [[San José Spotlight]].
3. [https://sanjosespotlight.com/the-price-of-growth-alum-rock-businesses-at-risk-of-displacement/ San José Spotlight - The price of growth: Alum Rock businesses at risk of displacement]
4. Gudde, Erwin. (2004). "California Place Names". University of California Press.
5. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
6. "Schools - Alum Rock Union School District".