St. James Park (San Jose)

St. James Park
View west towards the old Santa Clara County Courthouse along N 1st St from St. James Park.
Coordinates37°20′20″N 121°53′28″W / 37.338949°N 121.891203°W / 37.338949; -121.891203
Area6.8 acres (2.8 ha)
Created1800s
Operated byDepartment of Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services, City of San Jose
Opendaily, sunrise – sunset
Public transit access Saint James
Websitewww.sanjoseca.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/2661/2028
St. James Square
Built1863–1933
NRHP reference No.79000546
Added to NRHPNovember 27, 1979

St. James Park is a 6.8-acre (2.8 ha) park in downtown San Jose, California. Originally laid out as St. James Square in 1848, local newspapers dubbed the site a park in 1885, shortly after a fountain was installed in the center of the area. In 1933, two men who were accused of kidnapping and murdering Brooke Hart were lynched in St. James Park. Since then, a road and light rail tracks have been added, bisecting the park; it is now a popular gathering spot for the homeless population of San Jose.