Monterey Street woes nothing new
Merchants in Gilroy’s historic downtown have had a lot to groan
about lately as, once again, they’ve seen the main drag torn up for
yet another makeover. While some stores have closed, others have
kept the back doors open, waiting for Monterey Street between
Fourth and Sixth streets to be put back together.
Monterey Street woes nothing new
Merchants in Gilroy’s historic downtown have had a lot to groan about lately as, once again, they’ve seen the main drag torn up for yet another makeover. While some stores have closed, others have kept the back doors open, waiting for Monterey Street between Fourth and Sixth streets to be put back together.
This isn’t Gilroy’s first overhaul to improve downtown. Sidewalks and drains, for example, were on everyone’s mind – in 1868. An editorial noted that “we are pleased to learn that our town authorities are about to enter upon the improvement of Monterey St. by constructing proper drains on each side leading to the slough south of the depot. We also learn that the sidewalk on the west side of Monterey St. will be laid down evenly for a good passageway and a promenade for pedestrians through the wet season.”
In those days, a sidewalk meant a boardwalk. Since each merchant was responsible for his own section, the walks were uneven in size and quality, prompting possible accidents and problems with dry rot. It was another 30 years before the city finally laid cement sidewalks.
In 1870, a cistern was sunk at Monterey and Fifth streets. It not only provided water storage for locals but handy access to the Vigilant Engine Company, which had to rely on adequate water to put out the fires that regularly flamed in downtown’s many wood buildings.
During this year’s street demolition, the old cistern was unearthed by street crews. Found beneath layers of asphalt, it was an eerie reminder of how small the town once was, when one cistern briefly served the citizenry.
Monterey Street was graded in 1869. That must have made crossing the street easier during the rainy season. Stepping over large puddles was a constant threat to the hems of ladies’ skirts, not to mention the passing carriage wheels, which splashed up mud on passers-by.
Drainage gutters were dug in 1870 on either side of the street, but they didn’t alleviate the smells. A large corral holding 200 hogs was built directly opposite the train depot, causing olfactory distress to the town’s daily commerce. Trash was not regularly collected, either, with much of it blowing toward the south end of town. In 1897 a merchant lodged a formal complaint with the local Board of Health over “the odors and other ill-effects of water running in the gutters” down Monterey Street to a slough near the depot. The situation was called ” a public nuisance and a menace to the health and well-being of that part of the community.”
By 1899 the problem still hadn’t been addressed, causing another editorial remark, “The open run of slops on the west side of Monterey Street between Sixth and Seventh is to the property owners unsightly and offensive. A petition is being signed to correct this situation.”
A city sewer line, even then only connecting from Sixth Street north along Monterey Street, was finally installed in 1908. Simple trash collection was still a problem in 1912, when Monterey Street merchants should “sweep streets to the middle of the road so the store next door won’t get all the dirt in front of its own front door.” Monterey Street wasn’t paved until 1913 and even then, only between Second and Ninth Streets.
Electric lighting, 54 classic style poles with glass globes, was purchased at the close of the 1915 San Francisco International Exposition, brought to town, and installed along the sidewalks. When they were lit in 1916, between 8,000 and 10,000 people showed up for a big party and street dance to celebrate the occasion.
Ramshackle structures also received editorial criticism that vexed, in 1897, over “the shabby old tenements on Monterey Street which have stood from the infancy of this town to date without change, except that given by a coat of paint about once every 10 years. … It is not necessary for the town to wear the garb of poverty. Property owners here are as able to put their shops and dwellings in as good shape as the citizens of other towns.”
Beginning in the early 1930s, for several decades, Monterey Street was part of the state highway system, beginning as State Route Number 2, later becoming part of U.S. 101. During that time, the state took over improvements and maintenance.
Then, in 1954, a great howl went up when the state decided to renovate the entire street. Besides widening the highway itself, plans included adding a center strip with overarching mercury vapor lights. Looking just like space creatures from the era’s popular movie, “War of the Worlds,” the 36 lights were meant to replace the 1915 sidewalk electrolier lampposts which had served the town for 40 years. After 187 citizens, led by Irwin Hollister, signed a petition and filed a suit to stop removal of the city’s historic lights, action was halted.
But not for long. A newly elected City Council soon reversed the matter. The strip lights, meant to enhance public safety, were soon casting their eerie, orange glow along Monterey Street.
The original lamps were torn out, along with four feet of sidewalk on either side of the street. When the new lights were turned on, only 1,500 citizens turned out, versus 8,000 to 10,000 who reportedly showed up for the town’s 1916 street lighting ceremony.
But, there’s hope. Monterey Street merchants need not fret: the ugly old center strip, with its alien lights, is being torn out. Once more, the street and sidewalks are being widened.
And, once again, the attractive, old-fashioned, classical pole lampposts with decorative globes will march up the sidewalks, occupying nearly the same spots they did, from 1916 until 1954.
It just goes to show, that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
