History Park opened on June 18, 1971, as the San José Historical Museum, a reconstructed small town. Some 32 historic buildings have been moved here or rebuilt as replicas, including the Pacific Hotel, where History San José has its offices, and a half-size copy of the 1881 electric light tower. Its collections began with Clyde Arbuckle, named the city’s historian in 1945, who curated a well-received local history exhibit in 1949.
History San José describes the site as about 14 acres of homes, businesses and landmarks, with an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and trolley rides on weekends. Tours trace how people lived and worked in San José from 1850 to 1970. The Portuguese Historical Museum and the Viet Museum are on the grounds.