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Image: Ralph puts on some travelling gear prior to his trip. Photo by Joyce Pearce

Looking Back: A California Boy's Search for America (Part 1)

Ralph looks back at his 1978 hitchhiking trip across the U.S.

Ralph Pearce
04/25/2022 - 9:00 AM

Image of Art Rodriguez working at his business #1 Disposal. Courtesy of Rodriguez Family.

Eastside Revelations - Art Rodriguez

The California Room is spotlighting East Side with a series of blogs featuring individuals, businesses, and community organizations with ties to the East Side.

Estella Inda
04/22/2022 - 2:27 PM

Image: The entrance to the first California Room at the old main library in 1974. Photo courtesy of the California Room

Looking Back: San Jose Public Library's California Room

Ralph looks back at the history of the California Room.

Ralph Pearce
03/28/2022 - 9:00 AM

Image: 150 Years of Libraries in San Jose Exhibit at the SJPL California Room

It’s Our 150th Anniversary… Or Is It?

A review of early San Jose Library efforts.

Michael Lara
02/19/2022 - 8:08 AM

Image: Pete Crisham and his market on the corner of Coe and Broadway Avenues in the mid-1970s. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Giarratana.

Looking Back: A Market, a Trolley Car, and a Freight Train

Ralph looks back at a stretch of Coe Avenue in Willow Glen.

Ralph Pearce
02/18/2022 - 3:00 PM

Estella Inda in the forefront of the Lowrider Exhibit at King Library

Pathfinder Estella Inda: Fulfilling an Information Need About Lowrider Culture in San José

Did you know that San José was the Lowrider Cruising Capital in 1977. Learn more from Estella Inda, who has been sharing her research through the Library's East Side Exhibit.

Ila Langner
02/09/2022 - 10:00 PM

Ribbs Lane Street Sign (courtesy of History San José.

East Side Revelations - The Ribbs

The California Room is putting the spotlight on the East Side with a series of blog posts. This post features the Ribbs family, an important part of local black history.

Estella Inda
02/09/2022 - 11:23 AM

Lowrider from Dueñas Car Club celebrating New Years Day 2019 at Flickinger Park in San José. Photo taken by: Maria Herrera.

East Side Revelations - Lowriding

The California Room is putting the spotlight on the East Side with a series of blogs featuring individuals, businesses, and community organizations with ties to the East Side.

Estella Inda
02/01/2022 - 11:58 AM

Image: Hot Wheels "Red Baron" toy car in front of the Red Baron model kit. Photo by Ralph Pearce

Looking Back: What I Did Over Christmas Vacation

Ralph recalls trying to earn money during Christmas Vacation 1969.

Ralph Pearce
12/27/2021 - 9:00 AM

East Side Dreams: The Untold Story of East San José image

East Side Dreams: The Untold Story of East San José

Join SJPL's California Room for its upcoming exhibit. It will examine San José’s East Side from the 1950s through the 1980s.

Estella Inda
12/03/2021 - 4:30 PM

Vintage color photo of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San José, California.

East Side Revelations - Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

The California Room is putting the spotlight on the East Side with a series of blogs featuring individuals, businesses, and community organizations with ties to the East Side.

Estella Inda
11/24/2021 - 6:20 AM

Image: Singer/songwriter, artist and author John Lennon would have turned 81 on October 9. Artwork by Paul Simon

Looking Back: Some Time in California with John and Yoko.

Ralph traces John Lennon's cross-country trip to California in 1972.

Ralph Pearce
11/22/2021 - 8:00 AM