Product Description

The grass-carpeted hills of Milpitas, on the southeast shore of San Francisco Bay, were home to the Ohlone Indians for at least 1,300 years before they became a landmark for Spanish padres who rested at nearby Penitencia Creek on the long day’s journey between two missions. When the area became a Mexican cattle ranch in 1835 it was called Rancho Milpitas, meaning a thousand flowers or gardens. Later adopted by the town that grew up there, the name accurately described the many farms laid out on rich soil honeycombed with clear springs. The produce of Milpitas, shipped by rail and water, once supplied San Jose and San Francisco, and its hay and grain fed the cities’ horses. As the agricultural era waned, Milpitas, with its picturesque hills, attracted new residents and industries and is now home to businesses like Cisco and Sun Microsystems.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1340678 in Books
• Published on: 2004-12-06
• Released on: 2004-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

About the Author
Robert L. Burrill, Milpitas filmmaker and photography teacher for more than 35 years, has combed the archives of the Milpitas Historical Society, private local collections, and his own works to find more than 200 vintage photographs chronicling the heritage, enterprise, and wit of Milpitas from the 1700s to the present day.

Robert L. Burrill, Milpitas filmmaker and photography teacher for more than 35 years, has combed the archives of the Milpitas Historical Society, private local collections, and his own works to find more than 200 vintage photographs chronicling the heritage, enterprise, and wit of Milpitas from the 1700s to the present day.

Customer Reviews

A nice tribute to a wonderful place
Having grown up in Milpitas, it was great to see the historic photographs of buildings and landscapes in this book.
The only minor error is in the breif explanation as to the meaning of the city's name. "Milpitas" comes from the Spanish word "milpa" which literally means cornfield. While the word mil is indeed "1,000" in Spanish, the "mil" + "pitas" explanation offered in the book is better suited to a fallafel restaurant, not this thriving Sillicon Valley hub! By replacing the last vowel with "itas," the word is converted into the plural, micro (term of endearment?) version of the original word (this is sort of a rule of Spanish). Etymology aside, all Milpitians and diaspora-Milpitians should own this book!
Thank you Mr. Burrill and the Milpitas Historical Society!

Beautifully done!
As someone who has grown up in this community, I very much appreciate the effort that went into this book. I am fascinated by the old ranchos and our founding families.

I also find it interesting in the context of how the Bay Area was settled and how it has grown.

Thank you, Mr. Burrill!

Milpitas
While celebrating the Cities 5Oth anniversary as a city, the Milpitas Historical Society worked throughout the the year to create a comprehensive view of the Milpitas Heritage. The book was completed just in time for the Christmas holiday and is a fitting gift for the Milpitas region to educate the locals and to honor it's heritage.

(Missing from the end of the book is this poem)

For people new to this region, and children who are being raised,
our book offers an answer to the question that they may raise.
Does the past really matter?
Do I know where I've been?
Is there any one to honor? And how could all this have been?

Seven chapters reveal the Milpitas heritage.
"In the beginning, " (Chapt. 1) reveals evidence of the unique natural history of this Bay Region.
Native Americans were stewards to a natural "Garden of Eden" and were the longest inhabitants.
"Historic Main Street," (Chapt. 2) documents the European pioneers that settled here and the old American ways of doing things. "It was a cash only store, but John Carlo would let the farmers charge until they sold their crops for that season." (on page 30)
"The Railroads." (Chapt. 3) The reader will be surprised to find Milpitas had three railroads. Two in town and a third built in the unique watershed located within the Milpitas Hills.
"Agriculture from the Water," (Chapt.4) The application of the water and a view of the historic breadbasket, that provided for the early pioneers is an important part of the Milpitas heritage.
"Main Street in the 50's, (Chapt.5) Humor at "the corner," explains the humility handed to Milpitas. Anyone can make a joke about another, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at himself. Just ask "The Man from Milpitas," (on page 88)
"The Ford Plant" (Chapt. 6) The influence of Ford in Milpitas rallied the town to incorporateand gave our City a birthday on January 26th 1954. A spirit and heart was forged and protected by the Milpitas Minutemen now exhibited upon our city's shield. So "Happy Birthday Milpitas!"
"Over the Tracks" (Chapt. 7) is a celebration of the last physical hurdle completed, so that Milpitas could become the metropolis which it is today. In this chapter we honor our heroes, our War Veterans and our leaders that have provided our goals. Truly, these are the good,
the great and the wise.
Noteworthy features found within the text include:

1. This book is the largest collection of Milpitas vintage photographs and descriptions ever assembled in one textbook.

2. A cohesive time line follows the progression of each chapter.

3. The quality and composition of the photos is consistent and pleasing to the eye.

4. The two comparative aerial photos depicting 60 years of change frame (sandwich) the book and are profound.

5. The text validates each photo offering a deeper appreciation for the significance and value of the Milpitas Heritage.

6. The book honors our heritage and supports civic pride and education.

7. The Milpitas Historical Society and its heritage can be seen.

8. This third publication complements the two previous text
written for and about Milpitas.

9. This text is published within a prestigious library with over 3,000 other titles throughout the United States.


10. Every community has its own unique story, and our book proves that Milpitas is no exception.




Three books have now been written upon the Milpitas Heritage #1 MILPITAS The Century of 'Little Corn Fields' By Pat Loomis ISBN 0-9678333-1-0 (Anecdotes from interviews published in the San Jose Mercury News 1983. Illustrated with 30 photos)
#2 MILPITAS FIVE DYNAMIC DECADES by Mort Levine, Tom Gilsenan
and Rob Devincenzi ISBN 0-9748858-0-0 (Fifty years since 1954 is reviewed and illustrated with 50 photos)
#3 Images of America, MILPITAS by Robert L. Burrill ISBN 0-7385-2910-9
(A picture book with captions illustrated with 140 photos.)