Recent History near Ulistac Natural Area

The Agnews State Hospital Graveyard

When the Great San Francisco earthquake of 1906 hit the city of San Francisco, it also hit other areas in the Bay Area, including San Jose. Agnews State Hospital was built in 1889. Because its buildings were so tall, and were made of brick, large sections of the buildings collapsed. 117 patients and staff were killed. Only people who died in this event are buried at the small cemetery on Hope Drive. Any others are buried in a larger cemetery in the center of the former hospital grounds. The 1906 cemetery within easy walking distance of UNA.

Directions: Walk south from UNA to the intersection of Lick Mill Blvd and Hope Drive. Cross over to the south side of Hope Drive. Walk about 120 feet away from Lick Mill Blvd. Look for a low wrought iron fence around the site.

The James Lick Mansion and Mill

Walk, bike, or drive down to the Mansion Grove Apartment complex. It is on the east side of Lick Mill Blvd, just south of Don Callejon Elementary School. Enter the center of the complex by going down Mansion Park Drive. Walk towards the river. You will probably spot the granary first. It is a circular building made of red brick. It was used to store grain for the mill. The mill was also used to cut lumber, using trees grown in tree lots on the San Jose side of the Guadalupe River.

If you go around the granary, to the right you will see an old mansion. This is James Lick’s mansion. James Lick was the richest man in California when he died in 1876. The two story, wood-sided building has a porch all the way around at least two sides of the house. There have been tours in the past, Look to see if the front door is open.