Founders Day in Willow Glen

The country's founding fathers officially stated that America was free of England's rule and signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. July 4 has since been celebrated as the American Independence Day.

Willow Glen residents celebrate September 20^th as their Independence Day. Their short period of independence is from the city of San Jose. And while most Glenites, as the people of Willow Glen call themselves, know that Founders Day celebrates the years when Willow Glen was its own city, not many seem to remember the exact details.

Willow Glen established its own school district in 1863 and residents identified themselves as distinct from San Jose. Incorporation seemed to be on the minds of Willow Glen residents, but nothing much happened until 1925, when the San Jose City Council ordered the Southern Pacific Railroad to get off Fourth Street and find a new route. The chosen route, went straight through Willow Glen. The choice Glenites had was to let that happen or incorporate. They chose the latter.

Nine years later, on Sept. 4, 1936, the substantially larger Willow Glen community voted 978-871 to be annexed back into San Jose.

Founders Day in Willow Glen celebrates these nine years of independence and the unique quality of what many residents still consider their own little town.

But nowadays, Founders Day is a time when everyone gets together; there are not very many communities that do that . It is a great opportunity to not only serve hundreds more bagels than usual and numerous cups of coffee but also a chance to get to know the community. There is a parade down Lincoln Avenue in which the children of the Willow Glen Elementary School and Willow Glen High School take part.

Willow Glen has a very diverse community and a strong small town appeal. Though it has many retail giants like Starbucks many businesses are locally owned and very cosy and intimate. Everyone is friendly. People know one another. There are little league games and intimate restaurants. Some people have lived here all their lives. Children go to the same schools that parents went to. But this does not mean that Willow Glen is a closed off community wary of newcomers. They are welcomed into the community and made comfortable.

Willow Glen is a great place to settle down and raise a family. Realtor Dale Warfel who is familiar with this little town, will be able to show you some great locations and help you find the ideal place to settle down in.