History

A brief history of the Faber’s

(updated 4/29/13)

In the Beginning

The notorious building on First Street and Margaret in San Jose was erected in 1884.
It started out as a saloon and operated sporadically as a brothel to the El Camino travelers. The saloon was named Benjamen’s Corner. Prohibition forced this saloon to shut-down in 1920 as the building tried to reform as a soda fountain shop although was quickly shut down as patrons disapproved. The land was being used a Chinese laundry before the building as built before the San Jose burned out the Chinese.

Note: The building withstood the 1906 and the 1989 Earthquakes

Faber’s Cyclery

In 1912, Jake Faber opened up Faber’s Cyclery on the corner of what’s now known as First street and Reed. After 8 years of business on that corner, Jake moved to a newly vacant 2 story building only a block away due to an unsuccessful soda business. Faber’s Cyclery has been it that quirky building ever since then serving San Jose bicyclists!

The Tree and Tree house

The huge pepper tree that shades the yard of Faber’s dates around 180-250 years old though is not a native to California. It was brought in during Spanish era of of this land (1770-1835). The Spanish set up missions in California along the coast and created El Camino Real to connect all them all. Father Juniper Serra traveled the route on during his missions. Faber’s is along the original route and acted as Mile Marker and Stage Coach stop. The treehouse in the beloved treet is protected as its listed as artistic value in San Jose records but not the tree as its on private property.

Plumbing

San Jose received plumbing in 1956., roughly 80 years after the building was built. Faber’s predates plumbing, electricity and even… the modern bicycle. One factor of defining a third world country is that they don’t treat sewage before dumping to the bay. Faber’s Building is a reminder that until 1956 we could have been called a third world country. That’s something I’m sure people wanted to forget.

Other side of the Tracks

in 2002, San Jose formed a redevelopment agency to give life to downtown. Despite all the history, endurance, and culture this place has given to San Jose, The City never helped Faber’s as it was on the wrong side of the freeway and wasn’t consider as part of the desired downtown. It was about half a block away from being saved. The City purchased the highwheeler over Bicycle Express as part of the redevelopment.