Collections in Calisphere
All of the items in Calisphere are organized into collections. Collections bring context to images, documents, videos, and audio recordings. Some collections represent a particular topic or format, some have items created by the same person, and some showcase an institution’s special project or initiative. Use the tabs below to explore the hundreds of collections in Calisphere.
Curious about where these collections come from and how they’re described? Learn more about the collections in Calisphere, including: how primary source records are described; how shared community values and standards guide access to historical materials; how we strive to provide responsible access to digital primary sources--and how you can help!
San Jose Public Library California Room Silicon Valley History Online Collection
The San Jose Public Library California Room collection includes books, photographs, maps, periodicals, clippings and ephemera. The collection covers all of California with special emphasis on San Jose and Santa Clara County. The majority of images chosen for this project were photographs selected from the California Room Photograph collection and the Arbuckle Photograph collection. Also included are ephemera and postcards. The images document businesses, street scenes, agriculture, government, transportation, buildings and special events located in San Jose and Santa Clara County.
Institution: San José Public Library, California Room
119 Items
San Jose Public Library Collection
The San Jose Public Library Collection chronicles more than a century of growth starting in 1880. The one-room “Free” San Jose Library opened in the Murphy building on what is now Post and Market Streets in 1880. Between 1882 and 1970, the library occupied five different locations until the construction of the Main Library. The branch system had its origins in the establishment of the Grant School Library in 1909, and quickly expanded in the post-World War II boom. By the time the San Jose Public Library moved into its new facility on West San Carlos Street in 1970, the …
Institution: San José Public Library, California Room
225 Items
San José State La Torre
Student publications have been an essential part of campus life at San Jose State University since its founding. The first yearbook titled, Senior Year Book was published between the years 1910-1915, were beautifully illustrated with woodcut designs, photographs, and line drawings created by the student body. The content of these early volumes replicated other literary and humor publications produced by San Jose Normal School students. From 1916-1965, the yearbook was titled, La Torre. The annual moved to a commercial publishing format, with face book pages of the students, faculty and administration, representations of student activities from student organizations to athletics. …
Institution: San José State University, Special Collections and Archives
55 Items
San José State Normal School Pennant
Student publications have been an essential part of campus life at San Jose State University since its founding. The first student paper was The Acorn, which debuted in 1867. This publication was followed by The Class Paper in 1880, The Normal Index in 1885, and The Normal Pennant in 1898. Published between the years 1898-1909, the pages of The Normal Pennant, provided the campus population with a monthly publication that included humorous literary tales, serious reports on teacher training on campus and across the state, book reviews, poems, lyrics, updates on clubs and societies, campus activities, jokes, and advertisements from …
Institution: San José State University, Special Collections and Archives
40 Items
San José State University Archives Photograph Collection
In 1857, the San Francisco Board of Education established an evening school for teachers. The school became known as Minns' Evening Normal School, after the principal, Washington Minns. In 1862, the California State Legislature formally established Minns' school as the first California State Normal School. The school remained in San Francisco until the Legislature voted to move it to San Jose and provided the funds to construct a new building on Washington Square in San Jose. The State Normal School moved into the new building prior to the fall term in 1872. In 1887, the California State Normal School was …
Institution: San José State University, Special Collections and Archives
946 Items
San José State University Special Collections Silicon Valley History Online Collection
The San José State University Special Collections collection includes photographs, manuscripts, and ephemera documenting the history of Santa Clara County, San José, California, and San José State University. The majority of images chosen for Silicon Valley History Online are photographs of individuals, businesses, San José street scenes and unusual events photographed by John Gordon.
Institution: San José State University, Special Collections and Archives
122 Items
San José State University Student Publications Collection
Student publications have been an essential part of campus life at San Jose State University since its founding. They document such topics as athletics, student organizations, and social and intellectual activities. Many feature original works such as plays, poetry, short stories, and essays, as well as news reporting and publicity for campus events. Publication formats include literary, feature, and humor magazines, club and organization newsletters, and guidebooks on a variety of topics. The collection includes materials published from 1880 through 2004. These publications often reflect the culture of the era when they were published. Some content that would be viewed …
Institution: San José State University, Special Collections and Archives
89 Items
San Luis Obispo Building Permits Collection
Select building permits for the City of San Luis Obispo, California for years 1906-1937 with yearly alphabetical indices for 1923 and 1928-1937.
Institution: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
34 Items
San Luis Obispo County Farmers' Market Association Records
Farmers' Market Association materials including scrapbook, association records, advertising and publicity materials, photographs, and newspaper clippings.
Institution: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
7 Items
San Luis Obispo County Historic Lithographs Collection
This collection contains 48 sheets of hand-tinted lithographs, each approximately 11 ¾ x 8 ½ inches, depicting 61 different ranches, residences, hotels, commercial and civic buildings throughout San Luis Obispo County in 1883.
Institution: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
48 Items
