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Our newest open space preserve has a rich and varied past
Untouched for millennia, the hills above Los Gatos underwent a rapid transformation in the mid-19th century. Timber had become the new gold for fortune seekers, and loggers were attracted to the area by the seemingly endless groves of massive redwoods.
Sawmills popped up along the...
DISCOVER LOST GATOS: The historic Rankin Block
The long-awaited arrival of the Parkside restaurant on the downtown dining scene is the perfect time for a story about the landmark building they’ll be calling home.
The Rankin Block was built in 1902 as income property by Clara and William Rankin who arrived in...
DISCOVER LOST GATOS: The historic Coggeshall Mansion
As we bid farewell to The Palms restaurant, let’s take a look at the history of this landmark Los Gatos property.
The stately nine-room Queen Anne Victorian home on what was then a residential section of North Santa Cruz Avenue was built for Mary Barry...
The strange saga of Holy City
While many of us recognize the name Holy City, the fascinating story of the former mountain community and the eccentric character who founded it has largely been forgotten.
Holy City was built over a period of several years beginning in 1919 by a charismatic cult...
Lyndon Heights: A lost landmark (Discover LOST Gatos)
After five years of meetings, proposals, compromises, and design revisions, the Town Council has unanimously approved the new Los Gatos Meadows development.
It’ll be situated on an 11 acre property that was the home of one of our earliest and most prominent citizens, John Weldon...
County blocked homeowner’s attempt to access CZU insurance money before two-year deadline
The Santa Clara County Department of Planning and Development has been preventing a homeowner in the Lexington Hills area of Los Gatos from accessing public documents needed to fix damage caused by the storm that sparked the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex fire.
A Department of...
Reflecting on local radio history: the golden age of KEEN
While the Los Gatan often shines a light on the rich history of our wonderful town, let me take you next door to San Jose and revisit a local legend that made such a difference in my life. It might just resonate with your...
The stone house at 15 University Ave tells its tale
Have you ever wondered about the little stone house at 15 University Avenue? In the middle of downtown, it seems oddly out of place. In fact, it’s the only residence within the boundaries of the Los Gatos Historic Commercial District.
The house is a 1906...
Discover LOST Gatos: Remembering the railroad era pt. 2
Part 1 of this series told the story of aspiring railroad barons James “Slippery Jim” Fair and Alfred “Hog” Davis, who founded the South Pacific Coast Railroad (SPCRR) in 1876 to create an extensive rail network throughout the Bay Area and beyond. After the...
Discover LOST Gatos: The railroad era pt. 1
Of all the events in Los Gatos’ history, none had a more lasting impact than the arrival of the railroad. In this two part series, we’ll explore how the “iron horse” became the driving force behind the transformation of our town from an obscure...


















