History is haute, and Gilroyans who have a piece can flaunt it
thanks to the Gilroy Historical Society’s Residential Plaque
Program.
History is haute, and Gilroyans who have a piece can flaunt it thanks to the Gilroy Historical Society’s Residential Plaque Program.
Residents may procure an 8-by-11 cast-bronze plaque from the Gilroy Historical Society’s Historic Home Plaque Committee, which is taking orders for signs that will state the street address, historic name and year your home was originally constructed. There are about 200 homes currently eligible for designation.
Most edifices on Gilroy’s Historic Homes Inventory are automatically eligible to apply for a plaque, though homes not included in the inventory can qualify based on architectural significance, location, local historic interest or age of home, according to the Historical Society.
“I can’t wait to get one on my own house,” said committee member Kathy Hodgdon. “This Historical Society has been kicking the idea around for a few years.”
Hodgdon says the society has nine orders for what she describes as “lovely” plaques.
She lives in The Cobb House at 391 Fifth St., which was built for the Robert Cobb family in 1898. Mr. Cobb was a partner in a dry goods store on Monterey Street, according to the city’s inventory.
“I think you have to be a little bit crazy to buy an old house, but those of us that do have our old homes just love them and cherish them,” said Hodgdon.
The Historical Society will compile the plaque orders and receive wholesale discount pricing based on its nonprofit status. Participating residents are expected to pay $225, which includes shipping. The cost could be reduced depending on the number of homeowners who participate in the initial order, according to the Historical Society.
Residents interested in applying for a plaque can contact any of the three committee members – Connie Rogers at 842-8494, Roberta Hughan at 842-5375 or Kathy Hodgdon at 842-1517.
