The marquee to the old Mtn. View Movie Theater on Castro Street.

 

For More Information about the History of Mountain View, please visit the Mountain View History Center on the Second Floor of the Mountain View Library.

 

 

"...It is now a community of about 900 population, and is well supplied with hotels, stores, livery stables, and shops of all kinds, and has a very promising future."

-From "Sunshine Fruit and Flowers," published 1896. A book published by the San Jose Mercury News as a historical, descriptive, and statistical guide to the Santa Clara County. 

The above quote describes Mountain View as it was in 1896. At that time, the town was already 46 years old. The prophecy that Mountain View would have  a "very promising future" has certainly come true.  In the 104 years that have passed since that quote was written, wonderful things have happened in this town. 

Here in the Silicon Valley, we have the tendency of constantly pushing towards the future and forgetting about the past. So it's not very surprising that many people who live, visit, and work in Mountain View do not realize that this city has a rich history full of interesting and important events. So in the following pages, I invite you to take a brief journey into the past, and discover the History of Mountain View.
Before Mountain View  (pre-1840)

-The History of Mountain View before there was a Mountain View. Indian, Spanish Colonial, and Mexican Days.

 Stage Stop Days (1840-1864)

The days when Mountain View was a small town near a stage stop on present day El Camino Real. The story of Old Mountain View.
Train Stop Days (1864-1902)

The days when Mountain View began to grow as a town near the Southern Pacific Railroad tracks and station. 

 Days of Heart's Delight (1902-1933)

The days of orchards, farms, and canneries. A time when the rural way of life dominated the town.
War Boom (1933-1960)

The opening of Moffett Field, and the after effects of World War II  begin to change the city forever. 

 Aren't We Modern? (1960-80)

The City pushes a modern new image, High Tech goes main stream, and Mountain View struggles to become a big city
Modern Times (1980-      )

The city begins to stabilize and stops growing outward, and starts growing inward. Redevelopment replaces new development. The city faces a new millennium  preserving its past, while moving towards the future. 

 Now and Then

Historic and modern pictures of interesting Mountain View locations...and the stories of how those places have changed.
None of the information in this guide is guaranteed by the author to be accurate. (although I hope that it is!) This site is not affiliated with the Mountain View Historical Society, or the City of Mountain View. But, thanks to the Historical Society for letting me use their photographs. All photos on this site are owned by the Historical Society, and can only be reused by getting their permission. Please if you wish to correct me or offer any suggestions, e-mail me at Nap98@aol.com
 

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