Fact Brief: Did San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood used to be its own town? - San Jose Spotlight

"Willow Glen was its own independent town for a brief period of time before becoming part of San Jose in 1936."

"The suburban neighborhood, located adjacent to downtown, originated as an unincorporated community in the mid-1800s. In the 1920s, Willow Glen residents voted to become a city to prevent the Southern Pacific Railroad from placing railroad tracks through the middle of the community. Just nine years later, Willow Glen voted to be annexed into San Jose to connect to its sewage system. Today, Willow Glen is known for its quaint tree-lined streets, dining, shopping and historic homes."

Willow Glen began as an unincorporated community in the mid-1800s adjacent to downtown San Jose. Residents voted in the 1920s to incorporate as a city to prevent the Southern Pacific Railroad from placing tracks through the community. The independent municipal status lasted roughly nine years. In 1936, residents voted to be annexed into San Jose in order to connect to San Jose's sewage system. The annexation ended Willow Glen's brief period as an independent town. The neighborhood later became known for its tree-lined streets, dining, shopping, and historic homes.

Read at San Jose Spotlight