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Campbell is situated in the southern portion of the Santa Clara Valley, with Highway 17 passing through eastern Campbell and Highway 85 to its south. The historic downtown section sits just west of the railroad in the central area. The southwestern area of Campbell is known as the San Tomas neighborhood and varies somewhat from most of Campbell in the size of its lots and styles of housing. Hamilton Avenue is one the northernmost roads in Campbell.
The largest park in Campbell is Los Gatos Creek Park near Highway 17, and the second largest is John D. Morgan Park.
History
Benjamin Campbell, Campbell's founder, came West in 1846 with his family. His father, William, is noted for having surveyed the cities of San Jose and Santa Clara, and for starting a sawmill near the town of Saratoga. In 1851, Benjamin Campbell bought 160 acres and planted it with hay and grain. This acreage later became Campbell's historical downtown core.
In 1878, Mr. Campbell sold an acre of his land for $5 to the railroad and, by1887, the first subdivision was recorded west of the railroad from Campbell Avenue to the spot where the Water Tower Plaza now stands. The area became the center for shipping fruit, and within a short period of time, the drying grounds and canneries made Campbell an important rail center. The Campbell Fruit Growers' Union became a well known cooperative with its 17-acre drying yard.
There were three major canneries in Campbell the J.C. Ainsley Packing Company, Hyde Cannery, and Payne Cannery. Most of the output of high quality fruit from the Ainsley Cannery was shipped to England. Ainsley Park, located between Harrison and the railroad tracks, commemorates the man and his cannery. Of special interest in the park are two giant black walnut trees that were planted by the Swope family, descendants of Benjamin Campbell.
With all the industry, Campbell needed a bank, and in 1895, the Bank of Campbell was established at the corner of Campbell and Central Avenues. The Bank of Campbell, now called the Farley Building, is Campbell's oldest commercial building. President Theodore Roosevelt visited Campbell in 1903. He came at the request of Professor J. Fred Smith, the first principal of Campbell Union High School. While here, President Roosevelt planted a redwood tree on the school grounds. The Campbell Union High School closed its doors in 1980 and now serves as a community center, providing a meeting place for a variety of clubs and organizations. Campbell was first known for its churches, which once directed community life. Later, the Board of Trade became the leading community service. The Board of Trade is now known as the Campbell Chamber of Commerce.
Campbell was officially incorporated as a city in 1952. City offices occupied several buildings, such as Fire House No. 1 and the old Congregational Church, before the official City Hall was built. Campbell has grown from a small farming community with a population of approximately 5,000 to a progressive community with a population of over 38,000.
Demographics
As of the censu GR2 of 2000, there were 39,200 people, 15,920 households, and 9,122 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,624.8/km² (6,802.8/mi²). There were 16,286 housing units at an average density of 1,120.9/km² (2,905.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 72.78% White, 2.53% African American, 0.65% Native American Asian, 0.23% Pacific Islander, 4.87% from other races, and 4.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.33% of the population.
There were 15,920 households out of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.7% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 40.2% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.7 males.
About 48% of the adult population has at least one college-level degree.
The median income for a household in the city was $67,214, and the median income for a family was $78,663. Males had a median income of $52,454 versus $43,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $34,441. About 3.2% of families and 4.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.
The average rainfall, based on the last nine years (1998/1999 thru 2006/2007 rain season)of data, is 14.82".
Learn more about this city
City of CAMPBELL, CA official site
City of CAMPBELL, CA chamber of commerce
City of CAMPBELL, CA general information
City of CAMPBELL, CA yellow pages
County of SANTA CLARA, CA official site
State of California official site