It was in the 1840s that the call came from out West,
Summoning those who would dare,
To brave the hazards of a harsher life
For the promise of gold, and land ownership in California; and
For those willing to put up with the hardship and the strife.
This soon precipitated the westerly push, as
The long and tedious trek began,
The horses and the wagons were thus directed, and
Those famous words quickly resounded, as
"Westward ho to California" was heard across the land!

Adverse conditions were heaped upon the early pioneers,
Impacting their ultimate goal, testing their strength, endurance,
their will and their soul.
High and rugged mountains ambitiously challenged those set on
heading West,
Moisture starved and wind-ridden plains unceasingly beckoned
them to proceed; at times raging,
Relentless rivers and streams blocked and confused their quest,
Loss of wagons and supplies, highwaymen, dust, heat, cold,
Rain, snow, sleet, wind, and death,
Could not deter the determined and stout-hearted
From achieving their desired success.

With the community known as Santa Clara as their possible goal,
Many arrived and others soon followed with the passing of each day, and
the building of our Golden State was truly starting to take shape.
The strong efforts of the Spanish Padres were
Fruitful and cannot be diminished; for the renown Mission Trail
Had been moving ahead with vigor, and
Those inviting Missions were highly instrumental;
By extending a welcoming hand,
They offered rest and refuge to travelers, as well as work, shelter, and
education to the struggling Ohlone Indians,
Whose hard work and dedicated labor helped to cultivate and
To develop, the rich and fertile Mission Santa Clara land.

They came from points all around the globe in search of their dream,
and to further build the State,
Americans from other areas, Mexicans, Chinese, German, Japanese,
Portuguese, French immigrants and others,
Flocked to this rich and diverse town; and to
The future thirty-first State, this rich, verdant, sought after place;
Santa Clara, a desirable location and
A radiant span of sun-filled space, this expanse of fertile land
Nestled somewhat inland on the western coast,
Where opportunities abounded for every race; and
Where resourceful individuals who supplied much needed vision, and
Who had stepped forth to lead,
Forced countless difficulties to be addressed, and
Caused a thriving economy to take seed; and in 1850, on September 9,
Statehood for California was legislated into place; and it
Followed two short years later, an event highly anticipated,
On July 5, 1852, that the City of Santa Clara was incorporated.

With Mission Santa Clara as its focal point,
The community of St. Clare had started to expand;
Businesses took root, transportation routes improved,
Small and simple homes, some composed of adobe bricks,
Were erected upon nearby land.
Agriculture, fruit orchards, and farming prospered, as
Schools and colleges were established, residences, churches, and
Facilities constructed; causing, in the early 1900s
Development to further spread, and then to accelerate, so that
From the 1940s right up to our present day,
Our Town of Santa Clara was asserting itself a leader,
By opening wide its door, and
While growth and development continued to
Change the dynamics of life in our City,
More promising, elaborate, and successful ventures were
Embedding their roots deep within this portion of the Valley floor.

Today this Valley floor reflects the changes through the years, resulting
from individual drive and vision,
Concerns, hopes, and fears,
From the rustic, simple, and often times awkward ways,
To world renowned and acclaimed ventures which shaped the
Industry in this town, and those
That we are familiar with in these modern days;
Changes that propelled Santa Clara to the forefront,
In the realm of high technology, and resulted
In housing within its borders, headquartered homes of global companies,
Whose tasks emphasized the use of the computer, and electronic productivity;
As well as office homes for high tech support and related industries.

Today the City still leads, and serves to remind the community,
To hold dear and to value, its rich and significant history,
Knowing that in fifteen decades of life, industry, and economy
That our beloved Santa Clara, had made one quantum leap,
Acknowledging strong, intense, vital efforts, and
Expressing tremendous gratitude, to previous generations, for
All that we have reaped.

Suzanne Cisneros, 2002