The resulting brochures are showcased in a beautiful art book called "California Calls You: The Art of Promoting the Golden State: 1870 to 1940" which is available in the Santa Clara City Library. Also in the library's local history collection are a dozen delightful examples of the richly illustrated brochures used to promote Santa Clara Valley and the town of Santa Clara.

One promotional pamphlet carefully archived at the Library was published in 1904 and is titled "Progressive Santa Clara: An abode where fruit and flowers lend enchantment to the eye, and where health and plenty are the portion of her people." Illustrated with black and white photographs taken by photographers Ivan Nelson and Alice Hare, the booklet touts the wealth and resources of Santa Clara, the generosity and nobility of some of its leading citizens, its churches, its leading businesses and a few of its beautiful estate homes and gardens.

Another little booklet, "The Progressive City Beautiful: Santa Clara," was produced in late 1920s when the City's population was just above 6000. The pamphlet talks about the employment opportunities and amenities that would come with buying a home in Santa Clara, including "perfect all-year climate, fertile soil, delightful scenic surroundings and unsurpassed educational advantages." It also mentions that "City property, with improved street, curbs, municipal water, gas mains and electric street lights may be purchased for $300 per lot," with lots averaging 50 x 150 feet in size.

For more information about the Library's Santa Clara Valley promotional literature collection, or if you know of other early town of Santa Clara brochures, contact Local History Librarian Mary Hanel at 615-2909 or by email.