The Alum Rock neighborhood, in the foothills east of San Jose, is named after a white rock found in nearby Alum Rock Park. The rock was thought to contain alum, a substance used in cosmetics, food products, and in water purification. Even though the “alum” turned out to be something else, the name stuck.
Sitting on what was once covered in fruit trees, the community of Alum Rock saw its first homes go up in the 1940s and 1950s. Most of these homes are still standing, giving much of Alum Rock a nostalgic feel. Later developments added duplexes, apartment buildings and a few mobile homes. The streets are pedestrian friendly and the neighborhood enjoys frequent bus service from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority. In 2004 the transit authority opened two light rail stations in Alum Rock, connecting the community to downtown San Jose and its University of California. Several public and private schools are in Alum Rock, many offering bilingual education. Alum Rock Park remains one of San Jose’s prime recreation areas, offering trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Like much of San Jose, Alum Rock has a decidedly Spanish flair, seen in the architectural styles and bilingualism of many residents. It is true that the neighborhood has more than its share of fast food outlets particularly along Alum Rock Avenue and McKee Road. But, it is also true that locally owned restaurants like Las Delicias and ethnic stores such as La Esperanza Market keep authentic tastes and traditions alive. Alum Rock also has two shopping malls within its borders, Capitol Square Mall and the Country Club Villa Shopping Center. The members only San Jose Country Club is on the neighborhood’s eastern edge, while the public San Jose Municipal Golf Course is less than two miles away.
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