beets, and, of course, garlic—took the place of orchards,
though vineyards, and wineries have proliferated
and prospered.
John Gilroy
In 1814, a young Scotsman named John Cameron—who
as an ordinary seaman on the British vessel the Isaac Todd
signed on as John Gilroy—disembarked at the port of
Monterey, California. Gilroy moved around from missions to
ranchos and eventually settled at Rancho San Ysidro, east of
the present-day Gilroy. In 1821, he married Maria Clara, the
daughter of his employer, Ygnacio Ortega. After his father-in-
law died in 1833, his wife inherited a third of the property,
and then in 1867 the U.S. Government, by law, awarded it to
Gilroy. In 1870, when the state legislature incorporated the
city, the townspeople named it after Gilroy, who had passed
away in 1869.
Gilroy Today
With more than 55,000 residents, Gilroy boasts a plethora of
events and attractions that benefit residents and visitors alike.
Events include the world-famous Garlic Festival in July; the
Annual Car Show; and an Art and Wine Stroll. Attractions
include two live-performance theaters; Gilroy Gardens and
Water Theme Park (water park open spring and summer);
two county parks for hiking, biking, running, and horseback
riding; Downtown Live music enlivens the streets of down-
town in the summer months; the Premium Outlets shopping
venues draw people from around the world; and a thriving
and bustling boutique wine industry. The diverse population
is reflected in the wide variety of restaurants available: Mexi-
can, Asian, Italian, Indian, Barbecue, and American comfort.
More than this, Gilroy continues to embody the best aspects
of its small-town agricultural roots: a friendly atmosphere,
inclusiveness, and a slower-paced way of life.
The Sesquicentennial
Anticipating the coming of the sesquicentennial, Mayor
Roland Velasco created the Gilroy 150 Committee to organize
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
and coordinate the
city’s recognition of its
150-year legacy. The Gilroy
150 Committee consists of a diverse selection of ten people,
plus two liaisons, one each from the school district, and the
police department. Amanda Rudeen, Chair of the commit-
tee, is a four-year resident of Gilroy. She and her husband
Jeffrey, and their three children (6, 4, and 2) moved to Gilroy
from San Jose. Rudeen fell in love with Gilroy and its sense of
community and decided to get involved. In addition to chair-
ing the Gilroy150 committee, she also serves on the Planning
Commission. “I would say that Gilroy is one of the best com-
munities I’ve ever lived in. You can get involved here; I guess
that’s what it is. It just depends on how much you want to
contribute,” she said.
The committee has plans to celebrate the Sesquicentennial
for the entire year, with events spaced year-round. The
Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer on the March 12th
anniversary that will include members of the Chamber,
local dignitaries, and members of the public: the number
of guests will be limited by the size of the yet to be deter-
mined venue. Plans also include a family picnic day where
the whole family can gather with their friends and neighbors
to celebrate the city they call home. All local and regional
businesses, organizations, and events (existing or newly
created) are invited to get in on the act and include the City
of Gilroy’s Sesquicentennial anniversary theme and logo
into their promotional materials for 2020. For example:
Detective Jason Greathead, the liaison for the Gilroy Police
Department, has been working on new police badges to
commemorate the year. Other Sesquicentennial events and
contact information, including a media kit, will be listed on
the website— gilroy150.com
The Gilroy Sesquicentennial in 2020 is the perfect time to
reflect on how far the city has come in its 150 year history.
It’s a time for celebration, appreciation, and reflection. But it’s
not an endpoint: it’s a starting point. It’s an opportunity to
plan for the future prosperity of the city and its citizens—
for the next 150 years.
WINTER 2020
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