Memorial Cross Park

A Slice of California's Past

Positioned in Santa Clara, California, Memorial Cross Park might be small at just 0.34 acres, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in historical weight. This little patch of greenery actually served as the second temporary home of Mission Santa Clara de Asís from 1779 to 1784 - pretty remarkable when you think about it.

The park hasn't gone unnoticed by history buffs either - it's officially recognized as California Historical Landmark #250, acknowledging its role in the early Spanish colonial days and missionary presence that shaped the Santa Clara Valley.

A Thoughtful Landscape

Walk through the park today and you'll notice the landscaping pays homage to its mission-era roots. The oleander and olive trees aren't just pretty - they're a deliberate nod to the plants that would have been familiar during the mission period, creating a peaceful atmosphere that connects past to present.

The adobe perimeter walls surrounding the space echo the architectural style of early mission days, giving you a subtle sense of stepping back in time when you visit.

A Story of Commemoration and Change

The park's history has had its share of transitions. Back in 1907, an 8-foot wooden cross was placed here, incorporating fragments from crosses dating all the way back to the mission's founding - a physical connection to centuries past.

In 1953, the local Lions Club donated a larger 14-foot granite cross that became a landmark in its own right. However, the story took another turn in December 2016, when the cross was removed following a federal lawsuit concerning the separation of church and state.

Today, Memorial Cross Park offers a quiet space for reflection, a green pause in urban life, and a reminder of the complex layered history that makes up this corner of California. You can still feel echoes of its past while enjoying a moment of tranquility in the present.