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Gilroy’s Special Centennial, 1914-Style I t wasn’t the same sort of Centennial event as this year’s Gilroy Sesquicentennial, but the occasion was a big blowout just the same. Planned to take place in Gilroy on June 27, 1914, the celebration was to commemorate two major local events, one historic and the other modern. Named the “Pageant of Progress,” the gala was organized by the newly-established Gilroy Chamber of Commerce. The double observance acknowledged the one-hundredth year of settler John Gilroy’s arrival in the area, and also unveiled the newly completed, first-time permanent paving of downtown Gilroy’s Monterey Street. Scotsman John Gilroy, the town’s namesake, became the first foreign settler in then-Mexican governed Santa Clara Valley. As a captain’s coxswain on an English ship, Gilroy (whose real name was John Cameron) arrived in Monterey in 1813. Of the several accounts explaining his arrival in California, one says that he was admonished for failing to carry out an order, so he jumped ship. At first, he headed into Monterey to hide, but then set foot toward the Santa Clara Valley. Gilroy arrived at the San Ysidro Rancho in 1814, and by 1821 had married Maria Clara Ortega, whose father Ygnacio owned the rancho. When her father died, Maria Clara inherited a portion of the rancho, located in the vicinity of today’s Frazier Lake and Pacheco Pass Roads. The property was awarded to John Gilroy in 1867, two years before he died. John Gilroy was engaged in several occupations during his life. He grew wheat, traded in flour produced at his grist mill and raised cattle. He operated a soap-making factory located at San Felipe Lake, now known as Soap Lake. The product was popular with sailors who traded at the Port of Monterey, where Gilroy sold his product to businessman Thomas Oliver Larkin. During the Mexican administration, Gilroy was appointed alcalde, or mayor-magistrate, for the San Juan district. In 1846, when California became American territory, he served as justice of the peace. The 1914 celebration was to include an aerial exhibition by renowned Gilroy pilot, Bob Fowler. As the only living coast-to-coast aviator who had also flown across the Panama Canal, he was invited to make a sweeping downtown flyover to celebrate the newly-paved Monterey Street. Special trains were scheduled to bring in residents from outlying towns and cities for the big day. Organized events included a sunrise 100-volley gun salute, a loop parade down Monterey Street from Second to Eighth Streets, music from four bands, street games, and motorcycle races. That evening, Monterey Street would be the scene of a 100-plus automobile procession followed by a street dance, all held under strings of brilliant lights. The capstone was a grand ball, the following Saturday, at the town’s skating rink. Honored guests for the event included John Gilroy’s descendants, who would join a parade to celebrate the centu- ry that had passed since their ancestor’s arrival. Other special guests included descendants of the town’s pioneer Martin, Lewis and Fellom families. On the morning of June 27, 1914, speeches were sched- uled at Gilroy’s oldest building, located on north Monterey Street. Called “The Oaks,” it was built in 1851 by David Hollaway as the town’s first hotel. Speeches would mark the inauguration of the new state highway system. Many noted 106 SPRING 2020 GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN gmhtoday.com Written By Elizabeth Barratt